Free, Online demand flexibility learning

This series of accredited online courses will greatly enhance individuals’ understanding of demand flexible loads including connected water heaters, lighting, and HVAC systems, as well as flexible, distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Additionally, these efforts will allow for a more holistic understanding of multiple aggregated DER technologies.

Funded by U.S. Department of Energy funding, FLEX’s goal is to arm tomorrow’s workforce with skills and knowledge necessary to enable today’s energy efficiency (EE) and demand management professionals to grow their understanding and capabilities with new grid-interactive energy technologies, also commonly referred to as demand flexible loads. This includes both mastery of designing customer offerings related to these resources, as well as installing and engaging with these resources as a viable grid asset.

A 3-course series broken into easy, digestible learning modules, FLEX is designed to let you learn at your pace, on your own time. You will learn about the benefits of flexible loads and other Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) (i.e. EVSE, storage and other grid interactive building devices) with a focus on their integration with traditional energy efficiency measures. You will learn about key considerations in designing and implementing retail customer programs for single-family residential, multi-family residential and small commercial facilities that maximize the value of flexible loads as both a grid asset and a customer asset, and; the value of flexible loads as a new customer “offering” for existing energy services professionals.