• News
  • Press Releases
  • Renewable News
  • Solar

Navigant Research Report Shows Global New Capacity Deployments of Distributed Energy Resources Are Outpacing the Deployment of New Centralized Generation Capacity


Impact on incumbent utility revenue will become more pronounced as deployments of distributed generation, plug-in electric vehicles, and demand response gain more traction

April 4, 2019 – Boulder, CO – A new report from Navigant Research provides capacity and revenue forecasts for 12 leading distributed energy resources (DER) technology markets globally.

The global electric power industry is facing a transformation from centralized generation toward a more decentralized grid with two-way energy flows, known as the Energy Cloud. This mix of DER technology and smart grid solutions is poised to disrupt traditional utility models for end consumers, and it will be among the most disruptive trends to the traditional energy industry over the next decade. Click to tweet: According to a new report from @NavigantRSRCH, new global DER capacity deployments—including distributed generation, DER, plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging load, demand response, and energy efficiency—are outpacing the deployment of new centralized generation capacity.

“Most energy companies and utilities are already wrestling with revenue erosion due to energy efficiency, demand-side optimization, and solar PV,” says Pritil Gunjan, senior research analyst at Navigant Research. “As deployments of distributed generation and energy storage, PEVs, and demand response gain further traction, the impact on incumbent revenue will become more pronounced.”

Declining technology costs and innovative long-term price-based instruments support the ongoing development and grid parity of DER globally, according to the report. While DER also supports electrification needs for onsite generation, new additions of centralized generation technologies greatly influence the proportion of DER technologies in the system.

The report, Global DER Deployment Database, covers DER technologies grouped in six distinct parts of the value chain that generate, manage, and consume electricity. The study provides technology capacity and revenue forecasts for 12 leading DER technology markets globally. It provides data on countries and regions where the proliferation of these resources is expected to have the greatest influence by 2028, segmented by residential and other end consumers. The latter segment includes commercial, industrial, community/multifamily, institutional, military, and remote installations, grouped under the commercial and industrial (C&I) category in this report. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of clean, intelligent, mobile, and distributed energy. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant Consulting, Inc. is a specialized, global professional services firm that helps clients take control of their future. Navigant’s professionals apply deep industry knowledge, substantive technical expertise, and an enterprising approach to help clients build, manage and/or protect their business interests. With a focus on markets and clients facing transformational change and significant regulatory or legal pressures, the Firm primarily serves clients in the healthcare, energy and financial services industries. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, Navigant’s practitioners bring sharp insight that pinpoints opportunities and delivers powerful results. More information about Navigant can be found at navigant.com.