Dynamic Energy Networks (DEN) revealed this morning at Microgrid Knowledge 2017 kicked off in Boston that it has formed what the company called strategic alliances with both Schneider Electric and The Carlyle Group to deliver energy-as-a-service.
The company also solidified its leadership by acquiring an executive team from Hitachi and RET Capital.
The energy-as-a-service market — think energy infrastructures that can operate on or off the grid — is growing rapidly.
In fact, a recent Navigant Research report estimated it could expand to a $221 billion global business by 2020.
DEN’s aims to provide “reliable energy to commercial and industrial operations, municipalities, healthcare facilities, institutions, campuses and the military.”
The company will work to achieve this goal through the implementation of smart microgrids and distributed energy resource (DER) infrastructure, as well as provide more flexible and alternative ownership structures for these resources.
“We established a platform to own and operate microgrids and distributed energy resources (DER) to serve organizations and institutions – from campuses to hospitals and the military – that demand predictable pricing and efficient, reliable energy,” said DEN CEO Karen Morgan. “Working together with Schneider Electric and The Carlyle Group, we aim to transform the market to deliver holistic Energy-as-a-Service with innovative financial and technology solutions.”
Funding and equity for future moves and investments for the new strategic alliance will stem in part from Carlyle Global Infrastructure Opportunity Fund—a Carlyle fund that makes infrastructure investments.
“We’ve long been leaders in helping companies meet ambitious energy goals. Through our partnership with DEN and Carlyle, we can deploy solutions that leverage both world-class technology and new business models to transform the edge of the grid and optimize the energy value chain.” — Mark Feasel, vice president of Schneider Electric’s electric utility segment and smart grid business in the U.S.
DEN brings on new executive team
As for the new leadership team announcements from DEN, the company, as aforementioned, brought on board a full exec team from Hitachi and RET Capital.
The team includes:
- Steve Pullins, vice president of development, who brings with him over 40 years of utility industry experience in operations, maintenance, engineering, microgrids and renewables.
- John Westerman, VP of technical solutions, who was most recently VP of Hitachi America.
- Scott Rosebrook, VP of corporate development and finance, who was most recently VP, Renewable Energy Specialist at KeyBank.