Founding Grid Edge Customer Network members represent more than 350 million square feet of building space across 3,000 sites worldwide.

Greentech Media, the leading information services provider on next-generation electricity systems, today announced the launch of its Grid Edge Customer Network, an exclusive group of large electricity consumers focused on decisions that drive advanced energy management, corporate sustainability initiatives and investment in alternative energy sources.

The proliferation of customer-owned distributed energy resources and availability of emerging grid services is quickly increasing the options available to large commercial and industrial (C&I) electricity customers. For instance, the cost of commercial solar in the U.S. has fallen 49 percent over the last four years, and the U.S. market for C&I energy storage deployments is expected to grow from 6 megawatts in 2014 to 200 megawatts by 2019, according to GTM Research.

The Grid Edge Customer Network builds upon the expanding Grid Edge Executive Council, a group of more than 100 decision-makers driving the future of the electric grid. Members include stakeholders throughout the entire future electric ecosystem, including utilities and energy providers, solution providers, regulators, policymakers, integrators and consultants, and trade organizations.

"Electricity has long been an afterthought for many customers -- even those with particularly large bills," said Shayle Kann, senior vice president, GTM Research. "However, an ever-increasing array of new technologies presents an unprecedented opportunity for large energy users to lower costs, maintain reliability, and more efficiently conduct day-to-day operations."

Founding members represent leaders across a wide range of stakeholders, including retailers, real estate investment trusts, cities and more. In total, founding members manage more than 350 million square feet of building space at 3,000 sites worldwide and include organizations like Hudsons Bay Company, Sears Holding Company, Liberty Property Trust, and the City of San Francisco.

Members get immediate access to existing analysis from GTM Research on commercial solar, microgrids and energy storage, and can attend the inaugural meeting of the Customer Network in March. For more information on our Grid Edge Customer Network or to seek an invitation to join, click here.

To coincide with the launch of the Customer Network, GTM Research will be hosting a webinar on the changing landscape of C&I energy procurement. Register here, http://event.on24.com/wcc/r/1135689/3B11E0F58BA875E020ACEB77B60BE8A1?partnerref=altenrgy