Meeting Register Page

From Watershed to Energyshed: Determining the Implications of Place-Based Generation Workshop Registration

In FY2021, Congress directed EERE to develop & demonstrate an "energyshed" management system. In, Energyshed Framework: Defining and Designing the Fundamental Land Unit of Renewable Energy, John C Evarts defines an energyshed as “that area in which all power consumed within it is supplied within it.”

There are similarities between the delivery of water & electricity over the last 100 years. Both of these utilities have expanded in scale—delivering resources long distances through networks to population centers. Communities are investigating how to use locally derived water to improve efficiency & decrease dependence on water transported from long distances. The energyshed concept enables understanding of an area’s energy generation – where it comes from geographically & what type of resources are used. Understanding the implications of implementing an energyshed management system may lead to a more efficient & resilient power system.

This workshop hopes to create a shared interpretation of the “energyshed” concept & obtain stakeholder feedback on its definition & its application to the electric grid, to help inform DOE’s path toward the development & demonstration of an energyshed management system.

DOE is seeking input from attendees in:
1. Analysis: Development of tools & analysis to determine the proportion of electricity derived within the energyshed.
2. Planning: Understanding the impact of more locally derived generation may require planning efforts that are different than traditional integrated resource planning efforts.
3. Operations: As more generation is located within the energyshed, the way the power system is operated may need to change.
4. Business Models: As more generation is locally derived, utilities may need to partner with customers or other organizations to obtain more locally derived electricity generation.
5. Resilience: Locally generated electricity may lead to the development of a more resilient power system, including microgrids.