August 26, 2024; Louisville, KY—Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based, grid-edge distributed energy technology company that empowers utilities to build the grid of the future and meet global decarbonization goals, is proud to announce a collaborative partnership and technology integration with Mysa, a market leader in smart control for electric heating systems.

More and more utilities are preparing to manage electricity demand peaks in winter in addition to summer, especially in cold climates with a high penetration of electric heat. By controlling the energy consumption of Mysa’s thermostats connected to baseboard heating, Virtual Peaker expands the accessibility of utility demand management programs to residents in buildings without forced air heating systems. Allowing more customers to participate in demand management programs with their Mysa devices supports:

● Equity since baseboard heating is often in smaller and sometimes older
residences
● Benefits to customers that may have been previously ineligible due to
their heating system to participate in programs that offer financial
incentives
● Whole home optimization because commands are sent to each Mysa
device in a household

“Virtual Peaker’s grid-edge technology, combined with Mysa’s innovative smart thermostat solutions, provides a seamless and efficient way for utilities to manage winter demand peaks and contribute to a more sustainable energy future,” said Virtual Peaker Founder and CEO William Burke, PhD.

“Mysa is thrilled to partner with Virtual Peaker to leverage our smart home energy management technology to build a better future for our planet,” said Joshua Green, Cofounder and CEO at Mysa. “Empowering electric baseboard heating to participate in demand management programs supports equitable eligibility and expands the scale of utility grid modernization.”

Since December 2023, three utility programs, one in the Pacific Northwest and two in Eastern Canada that use Virtual Peaker’s distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) added Mysa’s smart thermostats to their portfolio of devices.

“A successful winter demand response program begins with foresight and planning,” said Steph Hsiung, Manager of Flexible Load Management at ICF. “While discomfort from cold is a common concern for customers, Virtual Peaker’s platform mitigates this by sending pre-heating commands and allowing for granular device control. Including Mysa’s smart thermostats for electric baseboard heaters in utility demand response programs provides a robust portfolio of technology that can ensure a successful winter-specific demand management strategy.”

For more information on this partnership and how it benefits energy users and the grid, please visit www.virtual-peaker.com.

About Virtual Peaker
Virtual Peaker is a cloud-based distributed energy technology company that empowers utilities to build the grid of the future and meet global decarbonization goals. Through its cutting-edge software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, the company seamlessly integrates distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) components, customer engagement, and load forecasting. Virtual Peaker's groundbreaking technology, Topline Demand Control, paves the way for the next generation of virtual power plant capabilities. To learn more, please visit virtual-peaker.com or connect on LinkedIn and X via @VirtualPeaker.

About Mysa
Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Mysa’s mission is to fight climate change by empowering homeowners to take control of their energy use with innovative technology. Mysa’s smart thermostats for electric heating and cooling HVAC systems are designed to help users manage their household energy spend, decarbonize the grid, and build a more sustainable future for our planet. Since first shipping in 2018, Mysa has launched 4 products and helped hundreds of thousands of homeowners all across North America take smart control of their home’s heating and cooling without compromising on comfort. For more information visit: getmysa.com.

Media Contacts
Amber Mullaney | amullaney@virtual-peaker.com | 502-689-0249
Kathleen Van Gorden | kathleen@doermaker.com | 401-480-1840

BURNABY, BC – January 30, 2024 – Tantalus Systems (TSX: GRID) (“Tantalus” or the “Company”), a smart grid technol ogy company focused on helping build sustainable utilities for the future, announces the launch of the Tantalus Grid Modernization Platform™ (TGMP™), including TRUSync, an industry-defining grid data management system. TGMP is a technology platform that helps utilities accelerate their grid modernization efforts. The platform includes a smart grid architecture comprised of connected devices, communications networks, grid data management, applications and analytics. TRUSync, an expansion of the software acquired through Tantalus’ acquisition of Congruitive in 2022, is a ground-breaking middleware layer that delivers true interoperability and automates the integration of all utility data captured from any device, any system and any vendor.

The need for this type of platform has never been greater. In a survey of 116 utilities finalized by Tantalus in 2023, 93% said that modernizing their distribution grid was an important priority while only 11% felt completely prepared to do so. Grid modernization requires utilities to harness the power of data across all devices located throughout the entire distribution grid — from devices deployed inside the substation to distributed energy resources (DERs) and smart appliances located behind the meter.

“To modernize, utilities must shift their perspective from traditionally being device-centric to becoming data-centric,” said Peter Londa, President and CEO of Tantalus. “The real challenge confronting utilities seeking to modernize their grid is data management, not a lack of powerful connected and intelligent devices. Grid modernization requires the integration of an increasing amount of data from a growing number of connected devices in a synchronized manner. To fully achieve grid modernization, utilities must access untapped value through data interoperability.”

By offering a modular approach, TGMP enables utilities to be more surgical and strategic in their deployments while minimizing the cost of prematurely abandoning existing investments and assets. The platform delivers unprecedented levels of visibility, command and control and provides an autonomous, flexible, secure and affordable path to grid modernization.

An integral component of TGMP is TRUSync, a middleware layer that sits between a utility’s connected devices and the software applications and analytics packages that use the data those devices generate. The power of TRUSync comes from true data interoperability delivered through a groundbreaking library of protocols and data models. The software generates a unified, single version of the truth that bridges the gap between Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT). This represents a first for the industry and serves as a catalyst for grid modernization.

In addition, Tantalus is rebranding its existing suite of solutions to align the overall platform, including:

• TRUConnect™ AMI: Tantalus’ purpose-built edge computing endpoints that are capable of integrating a wide range of field devices and meters across a robust communications network and a suite of software applications.
• TRUGrid™ Automation: Tantalus’ rapidly expanding suite of applications and data analytics that leverage AI to anticipate and proactively respond to challenges arising from failing distribution equipment, such as transformers, extreme weather events or imbalances between the supply and demand of electricity.
• TRUFlex™ Load+DER Management: Tantalus’ solution to help utilities manage a wide variety of residential and commercial loads responsively, reliably and flexibly while reducing costs associated with power outages and improving operational efficiencies.
• TRUSense Gateway™: Tantalus’ innovative suite of collar-based connected devices that deliver AMI 2.0 functionality without unnecessarily ripping and replacing existing meters. These devices also capture substation-level power quality measurements at the meter socket and deliver a utility-dedicated and secure connection to DERs and smart appliances located behind the meter. TRUSense Gateways also enhance investments in fiber-to-the-home broadband initiatives.

“TGMP was designed to empower utilities to modernize the grid at their own pace,” continued Tantalus President and CEO Peter Londa. “If a utility has already deployed pieces of our platform from Tantalus or another vendor, no problem. Our focus on interoperability and our unwavering commitment to reverse-compatibility helps customers leverage existing investments and mitigate risks associated with vendor lock-in. TGMP delivers a comprehensive and unified platform that enables utilities to tackle near-term challenges while pursuing a long-term and necessary goal of truly modernizing distribution grids.”

For more information about the Tantalus Grid Modernization Platform, TRUSync, and the company’s suite of solutions, visit the company’s new website at: www.tantalus.com. 

About Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. (TSX: GRID)
Tantalus is a smart grid technology company that transforms aging one-way grids into future-proofed multi-directional grids that improve the efficiency, reliability and sustainability of utilities and the communities they serve. Our solutions are purpose-built to allow utilities to restore power quickly after major disruptions, adapt to rapidly shifting consumer expectations and population shifts, innovate new solutions based on the adoption of distributed energy resources and evolve their grid infrastructure at their own pace without needless cost or complexity. All this gives our user community the flexibility they need to get the most value from existing infrastructure investments while planning for future requirements. Learn more at http://www.tantalus.com/. 

Forward-Looking Information:
This news release includes information, statements, beliefs and opinions which are forward-looking, and which reflect current estimates, expectations and projections about future events, including, but not limited to, the adoption, performance, functionality and development of the Tantalus Grid Modernization Platform, TRUSync, TRUConnect AMI, TRUGrid Automation, TRUFlex Load+DER Management and TRUSense Gateways, the issues anticipated to face utilities relating to the modernization of the distribution grid and how those issues can best be addressed, the leveraging of broadband deployments, , the ability of Tantalus’ solutions to assist customers in addressing such issues in an effective and flexible manner, and other statements that contain words such as “believe,” “expect,” “project,” “should,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “will,” “intend,” “positioned,” “risk,” “plan,” “may,” “estimate,” or, in each case, their negative and words of s imilar meaning. By its nature, forward-looking information involves a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome of the plans and events described herein. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which is based on the information available as of the date of this news release and Tantalus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this new release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. The forward-looking information included in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

Apogee Interactive – a provider of customer engagement, education, and communication software – and AIQUEOUS – a pro vider of customer relationship and program management software – have combined to create a premier customer relationship & engagement platform for utilities and utility service providers. The unified entity is backed by M33 Growth, a growth-stage investment firm that partners with founders and management teams who have bootstrapped their businesses to a point where they are aiming to breakthrough as market leaders.

Apogee has been empowering utilities with customer engagement solutions for two decades. “In founding and building Apogee, my husband Joel and I stayed intently focused on our strengths and passion for excellence,” said Susan Gilbert, Co-Founder of Apogee. “We only worked in areas where we believed we could be the best in the world at leveraging technology, analytics and innovation to promote energy stewardship to benefit the energy industry,” added Joel Gilbert, Co-Founder. “We are excited to see the company enter this new phase of growth, partnered with a team who shares our perspective and values.” Susan and Joel Gilbert will continue to support the business in an advisory capacity.

The transaction brings together a wealth of experience in the utility sector and provides a single-source vendor for outbound engagement and program execution & management. “Today, utilities are competing for their customers’ attention beyond the monthly bill,” said Jonathan Kleinman, CEO of AIQUEOUS. “Partnering with their customers to decarbonize, improve demand flexibility and meet efficiency goals requires customer awareness and a seamless digital path to participation. The combination of Apogee and AIQUEOUS potentially enables any energy or water service provider – including utilities, retailers, CCAs and suppliers – to deliver an exceptional customer engagement experience throughout the entire lifecycle.”

“At Apogee, we are always looking for ways to message utility customers in more relevant and personal ways,” said Jim Albert, Chief Technology Officer at Apogee. “Combining the Apogee and AIQUEOUS solutions allows us to better understand what critical factors drive program participation, and in the end will allow our customers to implement programs with engaged and satisfied customers.”

“We are excited to partner with M33 Growth and their commitment to the goal of building best-in-class software businesses,” said Jim Malcom, Chief Operating Officer of Apogee. “We are eager to share best practices with others in the M33 portfolio and leverage the team’s experience in the energy industry.”

“We believe that M33 is the perfect fit for AIQUEOUS as an equity partner,” said Kleinman. “By recognizing the value of our team, understanding the systems and support for our business stage, and experience scaling SaaS businesses, we believe that M33 provides the resources needed to achieve our mission and vision.”

“We are excited to partner with the Apogee and AIQUEOUS teams to redefine how today’s utilities engage with and educate their customers,” said Brian Shortsleeve, Co-Founder and Managing Director of M33 Growth. “We look forward to helping the team drive this next phase of growth in creating what we believe to be a cutting-edge customer engagement and relationship management software platform, purpose-built for utilities.”

About Apogee

Apogee Interactive, Inc. is a provider of customer engagement software for utilities, serving the energy industry since 1993. Apogee’s customer engagement platform helps utilities establish ongoing digital relationships with customers, helping them engage and educate customers, reduce costs, achieve behavioral energy efficiency, and grow customer satisfaction. Apogee’s solution enables personalized, relevant, video-based messaging through multiple channels, drives self-service, and improves operational efficiencies through marketing automation. Apogee’s loyal client base includes Commonwealth Edison, Liberty Utilities, ConEd, Duquesne, Tampa Electric, People’s Gas, CenterPoint, Xcel Energy, LADWP, and hundreds of other IOU, municipal, cooperative, and gas utilities.

For more information, visit www.apogee.net.

About AIQUEOUS

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, AIQUEOUS provides customer relationship and program management software to utilities and utility service providers. AIQUEOUS’s clients use POWERPATH, WaterWays and ECOiQ in 8 states and 2 Canadian provinces, and completed over 47,800 projects in 2022 providing nearly $60 million in incentives or rebates to their customers. AIQUEOUS products aim to increase customer satisfaction, provide visibility and transparency across services and programs and improve staff productivity and system security. AIQUEOUS is SOC 2 compliant and meets security requirements for investor-owned and publicly-owned utilities.

Learn more at www.aiqueous.com.

About M33 Growth

M33 Growth is a venture and growth-stage investment firm that partners with founders and CEOs who have bootstrapped their companies to strong growth and are positioned to rapidly scale their companies and breakthrough as market leaders. With industry experience fueling sales and marketing engines, driving acquisitions, and building value through data assets, M33 Growth seeks to propel portfolio companies to succeed in their markets. Founded by veterans of investment firms with considerable operational experience, the Boston-based firm seeks to invest in companies in the software, healthcare, and services sectors throughout North America.

Learn more at www.m33growth.com.

Memphis, TN, April 10, 2023 - EnSafe, a global provider of environmental, engineering, health and safety and technology services with an unparalleled track record that extends into the utility industry, is excited to announce the recent addition of Brooke Sinclair, CHMM, CSP, Senior Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Regulatory Specialist and Utilities National Market Sector Lead; and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) expert Joyce Barkley, Senior Environmental Scientist, to our firm. Both Brooke and Joyce bring a wealth of knowledge that is particularly useful as EnSafe increases its foothold in the utility industry.

Brooke has 20 years of electric distribution experience working in the EHS field as well as utility operations, maintenance, construction, and engineering. She not only understands EHS requirements but how they impact utility operations and construction.

“Brooke’s 20 plus years serving and leading in increasingly senior management roles in the utilities sector brings invaluable insight and expertise to EnSafe’s already strong utilities solutions group,” says Ginny Davis, Vice President of Business Development. “We are excited to see the growth and enhancements that Brooke will bring nationwide!”

Joyce brings more than 27 years of environmental and planning experience with a focus on protected species assessments, aquatic resources, public outreach, environmental justice, and grant writing, along with other NEPA resource areas at the federal, state, and local levels. The recent passing of the federal infrastructure bill and an influx of governmental private-sector contract awards has increased the need and opportunities for these particular services, and Joyce’s expertise will enable EnSafe to meet those demands.

“We are so excited to have Joyce on our team,” said Paul Stoddard, PG, Vice President of Field Services. “Her extensive understanding of NEPA regulations and requirements and her broad range of experience will prove to be an asset as we continue to pursue federal, state, and local work.”

Bolstered by the addition of Brooke and Joyce, EnSafe is well-equipped to handle both public and private-sector projects focused on improving utilities infrastructure, developing and refreshing behavior-based safety programs, industrial hygiene sampling, PCB program compliance and remediation, and program development.

For more than 40 years, EnSafe has provided cost-effective, creative solutions to its clients most challenging health and safety issues. From developing new or updating existing EHS programs and conducting risk assessments and inspections to environmental services in support of land development and site operations and maintenance, EnSafe leverages technology to provide tactical tools for daily tasks, overall environmental support, and general worker safety.

Beyond EnSafe’s wide-array of environmental health and safety services for utilities customers, EnSafe offers specific skills relevant to the electrical industry, including linear projects, microgrid and substation due diligence assessments, permitting, and decommissioning, safety and environmental training, and brownfield support and consulting.

For more information about EnSafe’s utilities or EHS capabilities, contact Brooke Sinclair at (865) 219-2674 or bsinclair@ensafe.com.

About EnSafe
Founded in 1980, Memphis-based EnSafe is a global professional services firm providing engineering, environmental, health & safety, and technology services to industry and government clients worldwide with more than 360 employees in 28 offices throughout the United States, from New Hampshire to California. For more information, please visit us at www.ensafe.com or contact Ginny Davis at 865-693-3623 or email at ggray@ensafe.com.