Early, Autogrid, a pioneer in AI-based optimization for distributed energy resources (DER) with a mission to accelerate access to clean, reliable and affordable energy, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Schneider Electric, a global automation and energy management specialist. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and certain customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the coming months.

AutoGrid builds AI-based software that helps make the world of energy smarter and offers a truly integrated flexibility management suite for the highly unpredictable energy sector – AutoGrid Flex.

The suite includes three applications designed specifically for the most flexible use cases, including distributed generation, battery storage and demand response resources: Autogrid DROMS, Autogrid VPP and Autogrid DERMS. Schneider Electric had collaborated with Autogrid on the DERMS platform, which was ranked #1 in the world by the leading independent energy research firm, Guidehouse Research.

Autogrid and Schneider Electric: a shared vision for sustainable electricity

AutoGrid and Schneider Electric have announced various partnerships since 2015 designed to strengthen their position in edge control and analytics software for microgrids and distributed energy resources, a market expected to be worth more than $50 billion in the next few years.

In 2019, the two companies introduced their joint solution, “Advanced Distribution Management System” (ADMS) which integrated “Schneider Ecostructure” with the AutoGrid Flex™ suite and the creation of a Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS).

Dr. Amit Narayan, founder and CEO of Autogrid, stated:

“As distributed energy resources proliferate, electric utilities are looking for a way to balance supply and demand on a complex, dynamic, multi-directional grid. Combining our solution with Schneider’s capabilities allows energy providers to leverage data to balance a distributed grid with flexible capacity from all DERs connected to the grid.”

In January 2020, the two companies signed a global reseller agreement allowing Schneider Electric to distribute AutoGrid Flex™ to electric utilities to automate the entire value chain from consumers to the control center.

This acquisition will provide AutoGrid with the resources and global reach to accelerate its growth and pace of product innovation. Nadège Petit, Director of Innovation at Schneider Electric, states:

“Schneider Electric and AutoGrid share the vision of achieving a more sustainable world through electrification, digitalization and decarbonization. Through AutoGrid, we will be able to add significant value to energy companies by providing cutting-edge technologies that can drive smart grid adoption and carbon reduction. We are excited to create maximum impact with our customers by amplifying the reach and scale of AutoGrid.”

Accelerating global access to sustainable energy

AutoGrid’s technology plays a direct role in the fight against climate change.

The AutoGrid Energy Internet Platform™ (EIP) provides advanced energy data, speed and scale to forecast, optimize and control tens of thousands of distributed energy resources (DERs) and millions of participants, using trillions of data points, in real time.

AutoGrid’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and Distributed Energy Resource Management (DERMS) platform provides a sustainable alternative to polluting and expensive fossil fuel dependent backup power plants by managing and deploying additional untapped capacity from batteries, electric vehicles and flexible loads. Amit Narayan concludes:

“We launched AutoGrid with a unique mission to accelerate global access to sustainable energy. I am grateful for the help we have received from Schneider Electric as an avid supporter along this journey. I can say with confidence that we could not have found a better partner more aligned in terms of values and commitment to the mission of decarbonizing our planet. I now look forward to the next chapter to evolve our technology even faster to solve this urgent climate crisis we face.”

Translated from Transition énergétique : Autogrid annonce son rachat par Schneider Electric