Transforming Agriculture with Yield Energy's Innovative DERMS Technology

Yield Energy, formerly known as Polaris Energy Services, has marked a pivotal moment in agricultural technology with the launch of its cutting-edge Yield Edge Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS). This groundbreaking solution is designed specifically for the agriculture sector, facilitating farms to transition from mere producers to significant contributors to the energy grid. With the growing demand for renewable energy and the need for grid flexibility, Yield Energy aims to empower farmers by unlocking the potential of their operations as grid-supporting resources.

With over 200 megawatts (MW) of agricultural load already under management, including 100 MW participating in Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E) Hourly Flex Pricing pilot, Yield Energy is revolutionizing the relationship between farmers and energy utilities. The integration of agricultural operations into the energy grid not only provides farmers with new avenues for revenue but also contributes to a more reliable energy system. Yield Energy's innovative approach presents farmers with a unique opportunity to earn money by simply continuing their farm activities without any significant operational disruption.

Backed by nearly $3 million from the California Energy Commission, the success of Yield Energy's DERMS has been validated through rigorous state-supported initiatives. These initiatives confirm that agricultural operations can indeed yield automated, reliable, and scalable utilities-grade energy flexibility. This technological innovation allows utilities to harness agricultural loads confidently, ensuring that farmers benefit without overhauling their traditional farming methods.

The core of the Yield Edge DERMS revolves around agricultural assets, primarily focusing on irrigation pumps while expanding to include other on-farm distributed energy resources (DER), such as cold storage facilities, electric vehicle chargers, solar power systems, battery storage, and on-site generation technologies. Effectively, these everyday farm tools morph into fast-responding virtual power plants capable of reacting instantly to grid demands.

Tyler Nuss, the CEO of Yield Energy, expressed the transformative potential of the agricultural sector in energy production, stating, "Agriculture has always had the potential to be one of the grid's most powerful partners — it just needed the right tools." Yield Energy connects the energy flexibility of farms with the operational requirements of contemporary energy grids, ultimately generating new revenue streams for farmers and creating a cleaner, more cost-effective energy landscape.

Yield Energy's collaborative efforts with a diverse range of AgTech partners, which include renowned entities like WiseConn, Farmblox, LUMO, Ranch Systems, and more, enable seamless integration of various pumps, sensors, and automation technologies. These integrations allow for automatic participation in demand response programs, ensuring farmers can contribute to grid stability with minimal disruption to their everyday operations.

The collaboration has yielded impressive metrics across California, demonstrating a 100% average demand response performance among enrolled devices, and a 67% potential for load shifting during peak demand periods. On average, farmers participating in Yield Energy's platform generate over $20,000 in annual revenue, significantly enhancing their financial resilience and contributing to local economies.

A spokesperson from WiseConn remarked on the innovation, emphasizing, "Partnering with Yield Energy is transforming what's possible for our growers." By simplifying the process of unlocking new revenue streams and engaging with utility programs, this collaboration delivers measurable value directly back to the farmers, thus reinforcing the stability of the energy grid.

As agricultural operations continue to evolve, Yield Energy stands at the forefront, paving a path for an integrated energy future. By offering flexible and clean capacity solutions that can adjust quickly to shifts in demand, Yield Energy provides utilities with scalable resources to incorporate on-farm contributions into energy planning. Ultimately, this synergy not only promotes grid reliability but also enhances the economic stability of farmers, thereby securing a brighter future for both the agriculture and energy sectors.

To learn more about Yield Energy and the potential of their innovative DERMS technology, visit yieldenergy.com.