The Impact of Innovation on Resilience

Hurricane Helene is a wake-up call for grid resilience, virutal power and microgrids. From the Utility Dive article "2M customers still without power after Helene; some local grids must 'be completely rebuilt'" highlights a critical issue in our power infrastructure. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, our centralized grid system faces increasing vulnerabilities. This situation underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions like behind-the-meter microgrids and virtual power plants (VPPs). Here's why they're crucial: Resilience: Microgrids can operate independently, keeping critical facilities powered during widespread outages. Faster Recovery: VPPs can quickly aggregate distributed energy resources to support grid restoration efforts. Reduced Rebuild Costs: By decentralizing power generation and storage, we can minimize the impact of large-scale grid failures. Reduced Liability and Insurance Costs: By keeping facilities up and running during major power outages police, fire, water, sewage, refrigerated foods and other critical needs can be met. Decreased Loss of Life: Keeping the power on at hospitals is critical to treating new storm related patients as well as keeping existing patients safe and healthy. Clean Energy Integration: These technologies naturally complement renewable energy sources, supporting our transition to a cleaner grid. As we witness the challenges of rebuilding entire sections of the grid, it's clear that investing in microgrids and VPPs isn't just about innovation—it's about creating a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy future. What are your thoughts on leveraging these technologies to strengthen our power infrastructure? If you are concerned about keeping your facility up and running while also lowering costs let me know. #GridResilience #Microgrids #VirtualPowerPlants #CleanEnergy #InfrastructureInnovation https://lnkd.in/gQnuex-K

Why Smart Money is Betting on 'Resilience' Over 'Climate' in 2025 Remember when 'tech' meant social media apps and food delivery services? That world is rapidly fading into history, and here's why that matters for every business leader: The biggest technology opportunities of the next decade aren't about convenience; they're about survival. Let me explain what I'm seeing from the frontlines of the energy transition: Major companies like Google and Microsoft are investing billions in power security and generation systems—not primarily for environmental reasons but because a single hour of downtime at a data center can cost them over $100,000. They've recognized that energy isn't just an environmental concern—it's a core business risk. This is part of a profound shift happening across industries. The conversation is moving from 'green initiatives' to core business resilience: - Data centers are investing billions in power security systems - Manufacturers are racing to control wildly fluctuating energy costs - Communities are building local power systems to maintain essential services - Commercial buildings are installing microgrids to ensure continuous operations This explains why the term 'climate tech' is falling out of favor. The companies winning in this space aren't leading with environmental benefits; they're solving existential business challenges: - How do we keep operating when the grid fails? - How do we protect against energy price spikes? - How do we maintain competitive advantage as energy becomes strategic? The market is telling us something important: The next wave of energy innovation isn't being driven by climate policy; it's being driven by survival instincts and competitive necessity. What I find fascinating is how this shift is creating massive opportunities. When businesses invest in resilience, they often achieve their sustainability goals as a beneficial side effect, but the primary driver is pure economics and risk management. Look at General Motors: their move toward renewable energy started as a cost control measure and evolved into a competitive advantage. What's your take? Are you seeing this shift from environmental initiatives to core business resilience in your industry? How is your organization thinking about energy security and independence? #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #EnergyTransition #Resilience"

Innovation Isn't a Fair-Weather Investment In my latest article for Fast Company, I explore why the most resilient organizations don't scale back innovation during uncertainty—they double down on it. Through conversations with dozens of innovation leaders across industries, I've identified a troubling pattern: innovation teams are often among the first on the chopping block when economic headwinds appear. But those who maintain their innovation focus gain critical market advantage while others fall behind. As I've seen in my work developing Strategic Advocacy frameworks, transformation isn't a one-time project—it's continuous. And innovation isn't a luxury for good times — it's the lifeline that pulls you through challenging ones. The article outlines practical approaches to maintain innovation momentum even with tightened budgets: • Dramatically lower the cost of individual experiments • Focus on customer-backed innovation with immediate feedback • Create distributed innovation networks What's your organization's approach to innovation during uncertainty? Is your organization cutting back or doubling down? Read the full article — linked in comments below ⬇️ #Innovation #StrategicAdvocacy #Leadership #TransformationStrategy Fast Company Executive Board