The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, in partnership with Berkeley Lab and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, hosted peer-sharing webinars on integrated distribution system planning for public utility commissions between February and June 2023. The series provided structured opportunities for states to learn from each other. Commission presenters shared their experiences, lessons learned and remaining challenges. Subject matter experts teed up the conversation with a brief presentation and Q&A session.
Kick-off presentation by Dr. Fredrich Kahrl, Berkeley Lab/3rdRail, Inc., and Paul De Martini, Newport Consulting Group
PUC presenters:
The kick-off presentation provides guidance for commissions on approaches to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of grid modernization investments, including when to use benefit-cost analysis versus least-cost best-fit methods. The presentation draws on examples related to electrification, distributed generation, and resilience and reliability. Commission presenters share experiences in their states on analytical methods and cost-effectiveness evaluation for investments in assets and systems to modernize utility grids.
Forecasting Loads and Distributed Energy Resources
Kick-off presentation by Sean Morash, Telos Energy
PUC presenters:
The kick-off presentation discusses long-term forecasting of loads and distributed energy resources (DERs) for distribution system planning, including lessons learned by utilities and regional grid operators in planning for transportation electrification as well as distributed PV. Commission presenters discuss experiences, lessons learned, and challenges regarding forecasting loads and DERs for distribution planning. The New York PSC addresses the impact of higher levels of DERs on forecasting electricity loads for the utilities' Distributed System Implementation Plans. The California PUC focuses on results of an innovative 2023 Electrification Impacts Study for the High DER Grid Planning proceeding, highlighting: (1) distribution grid cost and load impacts projected through 2035 for the three largest regulated utilities; (2) utility and non-utility datasets, including terabytes of 8,760 Advanced Metering Infrastructure data; (3) bottom-up forecasting methods, including premise-level and circuit-specific analytics and propensity for adoption modeling; and (4) study limitations and an updated study planned for completion early 2024.
Kick-off presentation by Tim Woolf, Synapse Energy Economics
PUC presenters:
The kick-off presentation provides an overview of key issues for commissions to consider when reviewing utility distribution system plans, including scope, filing requirements, integration of non-wires alternatives, cost-effectiveness assessment, and approaches for commission action on the plan. PUC presenters share their experiences with reviewing distribution system plans filed by regulated electric utilities.
Kick-off presentation by Jennifer Yoshimura, Energy Justice and Equity Leader, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
PUC presenters:
The kick-off presentation covers energy equity, justice tenets (recognition, distributive, procedural, and restorative), metrics, and how equity can be applied in distribution system planning. PUC presenters use an equity lens to discuss current distribution systems, metrics under development, engagement of community-based organizations, a stakeholder advisory group, analytical approaches for procedural and distributional equity, equity in resilience programs, and other equity elements in distribution system investments and related programs.
Kick-off presentation by Josh Bode, Demand Side Analytics
PUC presenters:
The kick-off presentation discusses best practices for evaluating energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation and storage to defer the need for some traditional investments at locations where distribution capacity is insufficient to meet expected future requirements. Commission presenters share their states' requirements and oversight for utility analysis of these non-wires alternatives.
Kick-off presentation by Lisa Schwartz, Berkeley Lab
PUC presenters:
The kick-off presentation reviews the variety of approaches states have used for developing requirements for utility distribution plans and highlight example best practices. Commission presenters discuss how their states established their regulations, including public engagement and education, a staff white paper, questionnaires for utilities and stakeholders, and formal proceedings.