As the demand for decarbonization grows, LF Energy aims to bring together key stakeholders in the energy sector to drive digitalization, standardization and foster collaboration. In this video, Alex Thornton, the newly appointed Executive Director of LF Energy, shares insights into the evolving landscape of the energy sector and the unique challenges faced by utilities. He talks about LF Energy’s work and their key focuses. Thornton says, “We have very ambitious decarbonization goals that require data-driven proof. And it’s hard to get that data right now.”

The evolving energy sector and its challenges

• Thornton discusses his career path starting in energy policy work in Europe before transitioning to technology development in startups and then joining LF Energy. He talks about the desire to make an impact on climate change.
• Thornton highlights the energy sector’s unique challenges, saying that although they have millions of users, they only have one customer: the regulator. He talks about the challenges of decarbonization goals, the electric load growth surge, and the need to operate more efficiently.
• Thornton explains how distributed generation and consumption have increased the complexity of electric grids. He highlights the need for flexible approaches to balance variable generation with demand.

How LF Energy is helping to address these challenges, including collaboration, driving digitalization, and data standards

• LF Energy is focusing on addressing challenges like transmission congestion. Thornton talks about their progress in this area sharing details of the TROLIE project.
• Thornton explains the importance of collaboration in the industry and how open source can further enhance this collaboration. He discusses how LF Energy projects are helping organizations align and customize solutions more efficiently.
• LF Energy works with various stakeholders, including regulators and policymakers, utilities, and technology companies, to help them align on policies supporting digitalization and open source solutions in the energy sector.
• Thornton discusses LF Energy’s involvement in research, policy analysis, and events like the Open Sustainability Policy Summit to bring stakeholders together.
• Thornton shares LF Energy’s focuses for the year, which include engaging with North American utilities and policymakers, regulators, and the vendor ecosystem, developing the open EV charging ecosystem, and building out data standards to support decarbonization goals.

Guest: Alex Thornton (LinkedIn)
Organization: LF Energy (Twitter)
Show: State of Energy

This summary was written by Emily Nicholls.