Staying Positive in the Shifting Energy Landscape: Insights from RE+ Mid-Atlantic
How much energy is used to make a cheesesteak? Let’s break this jawn down.
That would be quite challenging to do, as there are numerous moving parts and ingredients involved in creating the masterpiece of the cheesesteak. Much like this icon of Philly culture, there are many ingredients involved in the energy landscape. This was glaringly obvious at this year’s RE+ Mid-Atlantic 2025 in Philadelphia.
It was clear from the start that this regional clean energy conference is very different from the “big show” (RE+ national in Las Vegas in September). The Mid-Atlantic gathering is more intimate, community-driven, and focused on local challenges, such as grid interconnection, resource adequacy, and energy equity.
That feeling of connection felt fitting. Because if there’s anything we need more of right now in the renewable energy industry in general and independent system operators (ISO) and regional transmission organizations (RTO), in particular, it’s connection — and interconnection.
Grid Reliability, Policy Shifts & Community Growth
The growing strain on the grid from rising demand and extreme weather is creating urgency around the need for grid reliability. While I came to the show floor eager to hear how we’re making the electric grid smarter, more flexible, and more stable, I left with something deeper: hope.
The clean energy workforce — and the communities behind it — are expanding fast. That growth reflects what's happening across our infrastructure: energy demand is rising (IEA’s Global Energy Review 2025), and community support is building; System resilience must evolve in parallel. And, just like our power grid, community-based energy solutions require trust, innovation, and adaptability.
Behind-the-Meter, Ahead of the Curve
Another major theme at RE+ Mid-Atlantic was the increasing importance of distributed energy resources (DERs) and behind-the-meter energy technologies. These are no longer just emerging tools — they’re essential strategies. From battery storage to smart inverters and demand response, these technologies are now central to achieving grid modernization and energy reliability in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland interconnection (PJM) region and beyond.
In a time when centralized power generation can’t meet all demands, DERs offer a flexible and responsive path forward.
Yes, we’re in a moment of policy change that could cause increased permitting delays for DERs, and the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) already is pushing market evolution. This will continue but isn’t a stop sign. Rather, they are a sign to pivot. The clean energy transition isn’t slowing down — it’s recalibrating. In that shift, there’s space for innovation, localized energy strategies, and collaborative partnerships.
As we plan for the future, we need to double down on:
Grid resiliency and modernization
Community-aligned development
Flexible energy infrastructure that supports decarbonization goals and rising electricity demand
Leaving RE+ Mid-Atlantic energized and optimistic, Team Silverline is ready to bring this energy into RE+ Las Vegas in September.
If you are attending RE+ Vegas or work in clean energy, energy policy, or grid innovation, we’d love to connect and continue the conversation. Please reach out to us at workwithus@teamsilverline.com for more insights, and our public affairs team will be pleased to engage in a dialogue.
