Reflections on DistribuTECH 2025: How Molecule Systems Stood Out

What makes a tech solution truly stand out at a major energy conference? Attending DistribuTECH 2025 for the first time gave me a front-row seat to finding out. Over the years, DistribuTECH has evolved from a focus on traditional grid management to becoming a hub for a wide range of cutting-edge energy solutions. This year, discussions spanned topics like AI integration, drone technology, and fire risk mitigation. However, as it related to DER management, the focus was clearly on controlling as many devices as possible behind a single meter. Managing diverse DERs, whether EV chargers, battery storage, or other behind-the-meter devices, has taken center stage for utilities and grid operators.

What made DistribuTECH 2025 unique compared to other renewable energy conferences was the emphasis on whole-site DER control. While other events often focus on single-device management or isolated technologies, DistribuTECH stood out for its focus on how to control all DERs behind a single meter rather than isolated assets. This mindset perfectly aligned with what Molecule Systems brought to the table.

How Molecule Stood Out

When Molecule Systems arrived at DistribuTECH 2025, we had a small but purposeful presence—a modest 6 ft² footprint—thanks to being selected by EPRI to participate in their Incubatenergy Pitch Day. Meanwhile, some of the largest booths I've ever seen were occupied by DRMS providers like OATI, showcasing their expansive solutions.

So, what made Molecule stand out? We’re a small company with the right tech at the right time. Our edge-first approach to DER orchestration is fundamentally different from the typical API integration solutions presented. While most platforms focus on single-device control and cloud-centric APIs, Molecule combines scalable edge control with AI-driven orchestration. Instead of merely connecting devices, we intelligently manage them in real time.

Our approach resonated with utilities because it addressed a core challenge: how to orchestrate multiple device types across varied communication protocols within a single, unified platform. Unlike legacy API-based DERMS solutions that struggle to be device type and make agnostic, Molecule was designed to do just that. Even more, Molecule dramatically simplifies grid event design and dispatch for DERMS and utilities alike. Rather than sending dispatch commands to individual devices and designing separate dispatch events, Molecule allows them to send a single grid signal, and Molecule intelligently orchestrates all behind-the-meter devices based on user-set priorities. This reliable edge-first orchestration, combined with demand response capabilities, results in a fully optimized utility customer experience, exactly what attendees were looking for.

Molecule’s ability to orchestrate all DERs behind a meter, regardless of device type or protocol, clearly set us apart. It was refreshing to see that utilities and DERMS platforms at DistribuTECH were specifically seeking real-time, scalable, and resilient edge-based solutions. MOS 350, Molecule's edge operating system, with self-healing capabilities, AI-driven decision-making, and edge-first architecture, proved to be the comprehensive answer they needed.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on my first DistribuTECH experience, it was eye-opening to finally feel like we’ve identified the customers that our tech serves best. The next challenge for us is securing strategic partnerships to scale our platform solutions with market-leading companies in the DERMS and utility space. As an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) company, it's always exciting to enable the nuanced differences that each market and company require to execute their DER control strategy. And as an enablement technology, it's even more inspiring to see OEMs and system integrators deploy solutions that support rapid electrification, decarbonization, and resiliency of our utility infrastructure.

We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation with the many utilities and industry leaders who saw the potential in our approach. It was great to connect with leaders from OATI, AWS, Oracle, Mitsubishi Electric, Itron, and many others who are actively exploring solutions to meet the evolving demands of DER orchestration and grid flexibility.

If you’re interested in learning more or discussing potential collaborations, feel free to reach out!