DERMS Integrations

At a glance

Whatever system a utility uses to dispatch batteries, Flip plugs into it. Flip has integrated with eight of the leading distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS), and takes dispatch signals directly where a utility has none.

The challenge

Most utilities run their battery programs through a DERMS, and there is no single standard. Each platform has its own way of enrolling devices, calling events, and collecting the telemetry that proves performance.

That creates friction everywhere:

• For utilities, those with a DERMS face another integration project for every battery manufacturer, so many programs support only a few brands. Those without one need a partner that can take their dispatch directly.
• For DERMS providers, batteries are a fragmented, hard-to-reach resource, with each manufacturer needing its own connection.
• For manufacturers and homeowners, program access depends on which DERMS a utility happens to use, so the same battery may qualify in one territory and not the next.
• For wholesale markets, residential batteries must meet strict telemetry and performance rules before they count.

What Flip did

Flip sits between the DERMS and the batteries, so each side only has to integrate once.

One connection per DERMS. Flip integrated with eight DERMS. To each one, Flip's fleet appears as a single, well-behaved resource: enrollments, events and telemetry flow through the DERMS's own interfaces, whatever battery brands sit behind them.

Every brand behind every DERMS. Once a DERMS is connected, every manufacturer integrated with Flip becomes available to be added to every program it runs. A utility doesn't need to know or care which batteries its customers own.

Many ways to receive a dispatch. Beyond DERMS APIs, Flip accepts dispatch signals through Flip's own API, secure file exchange and automated parsing of event notices, so programs without a DERMS can still dispatch batteries reliably.

Performance data the DERMS can use. Flip streams normalized telemetry back to each DERMS, giving utilities the measurement and verification data they need to settle programs.

Wholesale market access. Through Leap, Flip's fleet participates in four wholesale markets, CAISO, ERCOT, NYISO and PJM, meeting each market's telemetry and performance requirements.

Outcomes

• Integrated and tested with every DERMS. Each connection has been tested end to end and is ready to dispatch in live programs.
• Live programs on both coasts. Through DERMS, Flip's fleet dispatches in live programs with utilities including Eversource, National Grid, PG&E, SCE, SDG&E and United Illuminating.
• The full range of setups. Flip works with large DERMS platforms serving investor-owned utilities, with a co-op's DERMS at ODEC, and directly with utilities that have no DERMS at all.

Why it matters for utilities and DERMS providers

A utility working with Flip doesn't change its systems. If it runs one of the major DERMS, Flip is likely already connected, and its customers' batteries can join the program without a new integration project. If it has no DERMS, Flip takes the dispatch directly.

For DERMS providers, Flip turns a fragmented market of battery brands into one reliable resource, making their utility clients' programs bigger and easier to run.