Scott Engstrom

Scott Engstrom, co-founder and chief customer officer at GridX, shares his journey from skepticism to admiration of the utility sector. He discusses how time-of-use rates emerged as a game-changer for utilities and explains the critical role of sophisticated rate design in managing unprecedented load growth, especially from AI data centers. Scott highlights strategies like demand flexibility and virtual power plants to handle peak energy use and emphasizes that 'growth pays for growth' to protect existing customers from rising infrastructure costs.

Scott Engstrom from GridX and economist Ahmad Faruqui delve into the critical role of dynamic pricing in the energy transition. They discuss how adaptive rate designs can effectively engage consumers and promote energy efficiency. The conversation highlights the need for transparent communication about pricing strategies to enhance customer participation. They also critique current pricing models and advocate for innovative approaches, exploring the transformative impact of technologies like virtual power plants and emphasizing the importance of a consumer-centric focus.