[image-caption title="MidSouth%20Electric%20Cooperative%20is%20employing%20a%20DERMS%20to%20control%20smart%20thermostats%20and%20manage%20its%20load%20in%20two%20power%20markets%20with%20different%20prices%2C%20generation%2C%20rules%20and%20requirements.%20(Photo%20By%3A%20%20South_agency%2FGetty%20Images)" description="%20%20" image="%2Fnews%2FPublishingImages%2Fgetty-vpp-midsouth.jpg" /]
As the complexity of managing the electric grid increases nationwide, MidSouth Electric Cooperative in Texas finds itself in a particularly complicated spot. It’s a distribution-only co-op without a wholesale power supplier, and its load is in two power markets with different prices, generation, rules and requirements.
“We're having to manage the nuances of those grids in different ways,” said Brandon Northcut, vice president of technology at the Navasota-based co-op.
To help with that task, MidSouth recently installed a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) to aggregate behind-the-meter devices and use that generation to offset its power purchases from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator and Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
MidSouth has added 600 smart thermostats to its DERMS platform created by Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based distributed energy technology company. Now the co-op can control about 1,700 kilowatts to respond to grid events and market swings.
“What we needed was a software platform that could split out the assets,” said Northcut. “If we're able to offload some of our resources to where we're helping the grid at large, we can also help avoid some of the spot market spikes in energy prices.
“Our motivation is to do everything we can when energy is expensive so it doesn't become expensive for the member.”
MidSouth is integrating its advanced metering infrastructure data into the DERMS. The co-op has applied for funding from the federal Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program to help provide real-time data to participating members on their energy use. This data would inform the co-op in developing incentive rates for distributed resources, Northcut said.
MidSouth expects more distributed energy resources on its grid, including electric vehicles, residential batteries, rooftop solar and home generators. A flexible DERMS tool will help them be ready, Northcut said.
“With a platform like this, we would be able to schedule resources appropriately, depending on market conditions,” he said. “We want to meet the energy needs of our members. We want to be their trusted energy partner.”
