For What It’s Worth: Getting the Value of Distributed Energy Resources Right

NCRES - For What It’s Worth: Getting DER Value Right The grid is big and made up of lots of big things—power plants, transmission lines, substations, and utilities. For nearly 35 years, Karl R. Rábago, who has always been a bit contrarian, has been focused on the small end of this big system. And he has found ways to work on distributed energy resources (DERs) in a wide range of professional capacities—as a commissioner, a federal R&D manager, an NGO advocate, a utility executive, and as an expert witness in scores of utility regulatory proceedings. Along the way, he has written widely on the subject of DERs in the context of utility rates, net metering, utility planning, and benefit-cost analysis. Karl will share his insights and experience on how to get DER value right, answer your questions, and point you to useful resources, too. ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: Karl R. Rábago operates an energy consultancy as Rábago Energy LLC, based in Denver, Colorado. He has 35-plus years of experience in energy and is recognized as an innovator and expert in utility regulatory issues relating to clean and distributed energy services and technologies. Karl serves as a Board Member of the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA), Inside Climate News, and is Chair of the Board of the Center for Resource Solutions, an organization that manages the Green-e Certification program for green power products. He formerly served on the Boards of Solar United Neighbors and Texas Solar Energy Society. He has been a Texas public utility commissioner, a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Energy, and Vice President at Austin Energy, among other positions. Karl is a graduate of Texas A&M and has a law degree from the University of Texas, as well as Master of Law degrees in environmental and military law. You can learn more about Karl at:   / rabago   The program was hosted by Peter Eberle, CRES Chair and NCRES Program Manager. A question and answer session followed the presentation. TIMELINE: 0:00 Welcome and announcements - Peter Eberle 3:00 Presentation - Karl Rábago 34:00 Q&A This program was organized by the Northern Colorado chapter of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society and was recorded at their November 3, 2025, meeting. Contact us at [email protected] or visit us online at https://www.cres-energy.org/. CREDITS: Video production by Brian Beinlich, https://brianbeinlich.com. Intro/outro video: Solar Panels: downloaded from www.videvo.net Video by Kelly L via Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/video/solar-pa... Video by Michael via Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/video/aerial-f... Video by Kindel Media via Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/video/drone-fo... Intro/outro music: “Future Glider” by Brian Bolger via the YouTube Audio Library. ABOUT CRES: For more than 25 years, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) and its local chapters have provided education, policy advocacy, and community engagement to accelerate Colorado toward a 100% renewable energy future. CRES is a statewide, non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)3 membership organization that drives environmental, social, and economic benefits for our communities by promoting all forms of renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage, high-performance buildings, and other low- or zero-carbon solutions. CRES features several local monthly speaker series throughout the state, provides speakers, experts, and workshops, and weighs in on state energy policy. Learn more about CRES, membership, and how you can sign up to become a speaker or volunteer by visiting our website at https://cres-energy.org.