Facilitating Sustainable Community Development
Through the Deployment of Advanced Distributed Energy Resources
Information Clearinghouse
Communities for Advanced Distributed Energy Resources (CADER) serves as an information clearinghouse on efficient technologies and infrastructure systems that improve the quality, reliability and security of community energy supplies, while reducing energy costs and environmental impacts associated with power generation. The purpose of this website is two-fold. To introduce community officials and private development practitioners to the family of available distributed energy resource (DER) technologies and their applications and; To introduce DER technology consultants and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to public and private development practitioners that are potentially interested in their products and services.
The structure and content of the website is intended to build foundational knowledge that development practitioners can use to assess the potential value of DER applications for current and future projects and then to further explore promising applications through direct contact with relevant technology consultants and vendors. The content of each menu item above is described in brief below:
FAQs - The content under this menu item provides answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning DER technologies for community applications. For those unfamiliar with distributed energy resources or with limited time, this is the best place to get an overview of their value in the community setting.
Technologies - This menu provides an introduction to the pivotal technology configuration that differentiates distributed energy resources from conventional, centralized power systems both in terms of cost and operational efficiency and flexibility - a configuration of onsite thermal and electrical energy components known as Combined Heat and Power or CHP. The menu also contains information on fossil, renewable and hybrid power and thermal generation technologies; energy storage and grid interconnection technologies; microgrid, smart grid and district energy distribution systems; and technology and system controls.
Applications - This menu describes the community applications for DER technologies and systems - specifically building, municipal infrastructure, fleets and vehicles and energy assurance for critical community facilities and functions. This menu also introduces the important role that energy-smart land use planning and urban design play in optimizing the economic and operational efficiency and use of DER - absolutely essential information for municipal planning and development officials and developers of master planned communities.
Resources - This menu provides an additional set of information resources specific to the interests of each of the websites primary user groups: community officials; private development practitioners; utility sustainability officers and community liaisons; and DER technology OEMs and consultants. This menu also contains information on the CADER Speakers Bureau, publications on all of the subject areas covered in the website, and links to aligned and helpful public, private, academic and NGO organizations and initiatives.
Member Resources - This menu provides information resources that are available to CADER's subscription members to this website. These include member-sponsored studies on DER technologies and community applications (including technology assessments, performance verification reports and community technology RD&D agendas); DER market studies and legislative and regulatory briefs and outlooks; access to CADER national database of DER consultants and technology vendors and installation firms; access to CADER's online Technical Advisory Service (TAS) providing expert advice from CADER's network of member experts on the technical, policy, planning and financing aspects of DER applications; and access to CADER's continually updated list of community DER Requests for Proposals and Qualifications (RFPs/Qs).
The structure and content of the website is intended to build foundational knowledge that development practitioners can use to assess the potential value of DER applications for current and future projects and then to further explore promising applications through direct contact with relevant technology consultants and vendors. The content of each menu item above is described in brief below:
FAQs - The content under this menu item provides answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning DER technologies for community applications. For those unfamiliar with distributed energy resources or with limited time, this is the best place to get an overview of their value in the community setting.
Technologies - This menu provides an introduction to the pivotal technology configuration that differentiates distributed energy resources from conventional, centralized power systems both in terms of cost and operational efficiency and flexibility - a configuration of onsite thermal and electrical energy components known as Combined Heat and Power or CHP. The menu also contains information on fossil, renewable and hybrid power and thermal generation technologies; energy storage and grid interconnection technologies; microgrid, smart grid and district energy distribution systems; and technology and system controls.
Applications - This menu describes the community applications for DER technologies and systems - specifically building, municipal infrastructure, fleets and vehicles and energy assurance for critical community facilities and functions. This menu also introduces the important role that energy-smart land use planning and urban design play in optimizing the economic and operational efficiency and use of DER - absolutely essential information for municipal planning and development officials and developers of master planned communities.
Resources - This menu provides an additional set of information resources specific to the interests of each of the websites primary user groups: community officials; private development practitioners; utility sustainability officers and community liaisons; and DER technology OEMs and consultants. This menu also contains information on the CADER Speakers Bureau, publications on all of the subject areas covered in the website, and links to aligned and helpful public, private, academic and NGO organizations and initiatives.
Member Resources - This menu provides information resources that are available to CADER's subscription members to this website. These include member-sponsored studies on DER technologies and community applications (including technology assessments, performance verification reports and community technology RD&D agendas); DER market studies and legislative and regulatory briefs and outlooks; access to CADER national database of DER consultants and technology vendors and installation firms; access to CADER's online Technical Advisory Service (TAS) providing expert advice from CADER's network of member experts on the technical, policy, planning and financing aspects of DER applications; and access to CADER's continually updated list of community DER Requests for Proposals and Qualifications (RFPs/Qs).
Capacity-Building
Since 2001, CADER has organized and sponsored the most informative and influential conferences on the subject of distributed energy resources in the State of California, and many believe in the United States. Annually, these conferences featured the top thought leaders in the field from government, industry, academic, and the non-governmental organizations in the United States and abroad. The thematic focus of the conferences were as broad and varied as the participants and attendees, running the full range of DER technologies applicable to industrial, commercial, institutional and academic settings. However in 2010, CADER narrowed and deepened the focus of the conference on integrated DER applications to support robust community energy systems. The focus was in response to new Federal priorities and economic stimulus funding of initiatives intended to increase the nation's energy independence, energy security and environmental quality and to rebuild aging community infrastructure. The capacity of community officials and private development practitioners to optimize these initiatives and funding will turn on their capacity to make informed decisions about the integration of DER technologies in their own development projects. CADER and its partners will continue to sponsor and participate in conferences that build this critical capacity in California and across the nation. Additionally, the resources and services contained and described on this website are intended to reinforce this effort.
Consultants & Vendors
CADER's national database of DER consultants, technology vendors and installation firms represent the leading professionals in the industry. The searchable database contains complete descriptions of company capabilities, representative profiles of past projects, client references, principals' bios. and complete contact information. To ensure that the content of the database remains current, CADER contracts with a maintenance firm that is also available to assist users in targeted search efforts. For communities and development firms soliciting consultant, vendor and installation firm bids for DER projects , CADER's database will ensure that invitations go to the best talent available on the market today. For more information, see the Member Resources menu.