As the energy sector increasingly shifts from one-way, static power grids to two-way, dynamic power infrastructure, Dynamic Energy Networks (DEN) today announced strategic alliances with established energy and industrial sector powerhouses Schneider Electric and The Carlyle Group.

“We established a platform to own and operate microgrids and distributed energy resources (DER) to serve organizations and institutions—from campuses to hospitals and the military—that demand predictable pricing and efficient, reliable energy,” said DEN CEO Karen Morgan. “Working together with Schneider Electric and The Carlyle Group, we aim to transform the market to deliver holistic energy-as-a-service with innovative financial and technology solutions.”

DEN’s business model represents the next phase in the grid’s evolution: highly connected, smart microgrid and DER infrastructure with bespoke and flexible financial and alternative ownership structures. Customers benefit from long-term power contracts that provide cost-effective, resilient and secure supply of clean energy; investors gain access to a diversified set of dynamic energy infrastructure across different market sectors and geographies.

“We’ve long been leaders in helping companies meet ambitious energy goals,” said Mark Feasel, vice president of Schneider Electric’s electric utility segment and smart-grid business in the U.S. “Through our partnership with DEN and Carlyle, we can deploy solutions that leverage both world-class technology and new business models to transform the edge of the grid and optimize the energy value chain.”

“The energy industry has experienced a tremendous growth in awareness and usage of microgrids in just the last year alone,” said Andrew Marino, a Carlyle managing director and co-head of Carlyle Global Infrastructure, the firm’s infrastructure investing team. “We’re thrilled to leverage the expertise of Dynamic Energy Networks and to partner with Schneider Electric to deliver microgrid solutions that enable energy-as-a-service.” Equity for future investments by this strategic alliance will come from sources including Carlyle Global Infrastructure Opportunity Fund, a Carlyle fund that makes infrastructure investments.