At this year’s State Energy Conference, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives showcased how they are building a brighter future for their communities by implementing new and emerging technologies and taking innovative approaches to meet evolving energy needs.

Through key panels and discussions, co-op leaders shared with industry peers how strong local partnerships and forward-thinking solutions help deliver reliable, sustainable energy across the communities they serve.

Corey Thurlow, Chief Operating Officer at Brunswick Electric, was part of a panel focused on cooperative electric load management strategies, including a discussion on a cold-climate heat pump pilot between North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives (NCEC) and Advanced Energy. Representing one of the largest growing cooperatives in North Carolina, Thurlow offered a perspective of a distribution cooperative with a heavily residential membership base, where many homes rely on traditional single-speed heat pumps backed up by electric resistance strip heat.

In addition to speaking to what BEMC is seeing on their system and the difference between their summer and winter load shapes, Thurlow shared how innovative technologies like cold-climate heat pumps can make a difference. 

“As both energy and capacity costs continue to rise, it becomes more important to study and pursue solutions that improve how electricity is used in the home, especially around HVAC systems,” said Thurlow. “There is not one single solution that will fit every cooperative, every home, or every member. But cold-climate heat pumps show real promise as one tool that could help members use energy more efficiently while also helping cooperatives make better use of the grid.” 

The two-day conference also gave cooperatives a chance to bring their unique perspective to a larger stage, joining industry leaders and partners from across the state and nation.

Nikki Lynberg, Manager of Innovation & Business Development at NCEC, presented on the panel, EV Programs to Support Reliability and Flexibility, on the evolution from pilot to program of EVConnectNC, an EV telematics solution. The session covered how EV telematics can unlock the flexibility of electric vehicles as valuable grid assets. By accessing real-time vehicle data, such as location, battery status, and charging behavior, the panel demonstrated proactive strategies for integrating EVs into the grid.

Lynberg says the cooperatives have long been forward-thinking when it comes to adopting new technologies.

“Innovation is always top of mind for electric cooperatives as they explore new technologies and solutions to better serve their members,” Lynberg said. “As energy needs continue to evolve, co-ops remain focused on adapting and finding new ways to meet those demands.”

With hundreds of attendees from across North Carolina and the nation, Thurlow said the conference provides an opportunity to share the work electric cooperatives are doing with a broad audience, while also giving insight into real challenges utilities and member-consumers face. 

“It is important because cooperatives bring a real-world perspective to these conversations,” said Thurlow. “When BEMC is part of the discussion, vendors, policy folks, and researchers get a clearer understanding of the real challenges utilities and consumers are facing. That helps guide the solutions being developed to become more useful, more affordable and more focused on the needs of the people we serve.”

Beyond being a part of these discussions, cooperative representatives said the conference gives them an opportunity to learn from their peers, see what others are doing to adapt and bring these fresh perspectives back to their co-ops. 

“It is extremely valuable. The questions and discussions that come out of events like this are often more important than the presentations,” said Thurlow. “Those conversations matter. They help us think a little deeper, learn from others, and build relationships with people who may be part of the solution. Collaboration is one of the ways we will find practical, affordable answers to the challenges facing utilities and our members.”