Mind the Gap… New Jersey’s Power Needs vs. Market Reality
New Jersey is hitting the same wall many states will face soon: rising demand, market rules under pressure, and an energy transition moving faster than the grid. The good news is that off-grid, mobile, and modular solutions already exist to bridge the gap and support reliable operations.
This challenge is not unique to New Jersey. PJM’s capacity markets serve 13 states and D.C., and similar pressures are appearing across the region as states electrify faster than infrastructure can keep up. Understanding New Jersey’s experience can provide a roadmap for other states and businesses looking to navigate these changes.
When the Rules Don’t Fit the Reality
PJM, the largest power market in the U.S., has been a backbone of reliability for decades. Managing one of the most complex grids in the world is no small feat. Today’s evolving energy mix and rising demand present new challenges, and solutions that complement PJM’s operations can help maintain reliability while supporting states’ energy goals.
New Jersey is sounding the alarm, but this is not only a New Jersey story. States across the country are seeing similar challenges as they balance clean energy ambitions with grid stability:
Electrification boom: EV adoption, heat pumps, and electrified fleets are accelerating.
Aging infrastructure: Upgrades take years and billions of dollars.
Policy pressure: States are pushing ambitious clean energy timelines faster than grid operators can adapt.
The result is a growing mismatch between what markets incentivize today and what communities actually need: reliable, flexible, and scalable power.
Where Bridge Solutions Come In
Modular, off-grid technologies such as mobile EV charging and propane-powered generation can work alongside existing infrastructure to enhance grid resiliency. These solutions do not replace long-term investments or PJM’s role, but provide additional flexibility to support reliability as demand grows and the energy transition continues.
For example, a fleet operator can deploy a mobile EV charging unit to supplement peak demand at large events, high-use depots, or temporary work sites, all without waiting for long-term grid upgrades. These deployments allow businesses and communities to keep operations running smoothly while broader infrastructure improvements are implemented.
Think of them as the shock absorbers of the energy transition. They are flexible, deployable, and capable of reducing both cost and risk.
If New Jersey is the test case, the rest of the U.S. should be paying attention. The lessons learned here can guide smarter policy and faster adoption of flexible solutions everywhere. This is particularly important as states pursue clean energy goals while maintaining reliable, resilient operations.
At MOD Energy Solutions, we help businesses, fleets, and communities access clean, mobile, and reliable energy solutions that complement broader grid operations and support states’ energy reliability goals.
Our upcoming white paper will explore:
Why capacity market design is under pressure today
The hidden costs of waiting for grid upgrades
How modular, off-grid solutions can serve as a bridge for states and businesses alike
Stay tuned and get ready to see how New Jersey’s challenge points to a national opportunity.
