California’s Integrated Distributed Energy Resources (IDER) [R. 14-10-003]

California’s Integrated Distributed Energy Resources [R.14-10-003]

 

Since 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission has sought to integrate demand side energy solutions and technologies through utility programs offerings. Decision (D.07-10-032) directs that utilities “Integrate customer demand-side programs, such as energy efficiency, self-generation, advanced metering, and demand response, in a coherent and efficient manner.”  The integration of demand side programs and technologies was expected to achieve maximum savings while avoiding duplicative efforts and reduce transaction costs and customer confusion. In short, IDER is a strategy that seeks to provide comprehensive building energy management solutions via the integration of technologies, programs, and strategies to facilitate customer behavior changes that reduce load and grid inefficiencies. Despite a long history of CPUC guidance, statewide IDER efforts have had limited success due to a number of factors identified in evaluation efforts. The current IDER Proceeding (R.14-10-003) seeks to address some of these lessons-learned and barriers.

IDER Current Activity

Competitive Solicitations Framework Working Group

 

On March 24, 2016 ALJ Kelly Hymes issued a Ruling establishing a working group in this proceeding charged with developing a competitive solicitation framework targeting the reliability needs within the areas identified by analysis performed previously in R. 14-10-003. Investor owned utilities filed a Status Report on June 1, 2016.Subsequently sub-teams were established to develop consensus in both discrete and overlapping elements as described in the February 26, 2016 Scoping Memo. The Final Report was filed on August 1, 2016, and can be found here.

Competitive Solicitations Framework Working Group (CSF WG) Final Meeting

This will be the final, in-person meeting of the CSFWG to finalize its recommendations for the Final Report (due August 1).  I twill be the final opportunity to have your comments captured, as no further changes to positions will be recorded beyond this meeting. Because the topics covered by Sub-Teams 1, 2 and 5 are foundational to arriving at a work product platform, we are dedicating the first half of the day to them. Should this not provide ample time, we may use some of the time currently reserved for other topics after lunch. If this occurs, the CSF WG Coordinating Team reserves the option of holding a teleconference meeting on Friday, July 15 from 9:00am to noon to address the balance of topics 3a and 7.

Competitive Solicitations Framework Working Groups (CSF WG) Sub-Teams:

The following documents include meetings notes not intended as a verbatim transcript of comments at the meetings, but a summary of the working group discussions which occurred. Meeting notes are not reflective of any party’s final position on an issue. These posted documents are draft in-progress work product created through the publicly-noticed collaborative working group process. Meeting notes and draft in-progress documents do not reflect any party’s final position on the issues discussed.

  • Sub-Team 1a. Definition of Basic Distribution Services and Attributes, and 1b. Resource Performance and Measurement. This sub-team is charged with addressing Ruling element a.: “Defining services to be bought and sold within identified areas. The definitions should include details on expected reliability and other performance requirements, as well as constraints, not previously determined in R. 14-08-013, on how Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) can meet identified need.”
  • Sub-Team 2a. Additional Services and Valuation, and 2b. Valuation Criteria. This sub-team is responsible for Ruling element e.: “The development of solicitation evaluation methodology to include valuation methodology to include valuation of any deferred distribution system upgrade.”
  • Sub-Team 3a. Distribution Loading Order. This sub-team is charged with providing recommendations for how the existing loading order should or should not apply to the distribution system.
    • RESOURCES:
      • Final Conclusions and Recommendations (PDF) (Word doc)
  • Sub-Team 3b. Double Counting and Incrementality. This sub-team is responsible for addressing Ruling elements a. (“Defining services to be bought and sold within identified areas. The definitions should include details on expected reliability and other performance requirements, as well as constraints, not previously determined in R. 14-08-013, on how Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) can meet identified need.”), b. (Development of methodologies to count services provided and ensure no duplication with procurement in other proceedings, i.e., ensure these resources are incremental to existing efforts and avoid double-counting of resources.”), and c. [“Development of solicitation rules or principles such as constraints on procurement (e.g., floors and ceilings on volume procured, price paid, etc.)”]
    • RESOURCES:
      • Final Conclusions and Recommendations (PDF) (Word doc)
  • Sub-Team 4a. Timeline, 4b. Spectrum of Oversight, and 4c. Roles of DRP, DPP, and Linkages. This sub-team is charged with providing recommendations for Ruling elements c. [“Development of solicitation rules or principles such as constraints on procurement (e.g., floors and ceilings on volume procured, price paid, etc.)”] and d. [“Development of solicitation oversight needs (e.g., procurement plans, procurement review groups, etc.)”]
  • Sub-Team 5. Pro-forma Contracts (inc. reliability and performance requirements). This sub-team is responsible for addressing Ruling element f. (“Development of solicitation pro-forma contract(s).
    • RESOURCES:
      • Final Conclusions and Recommendations (PDF) (Word doc)
  • Sub-Team 6. Customer Outreach. This sub-team is responsible for addressing Ruling element g. (“Development of outreach plans to ensure robust participation in the competitive solicitations.”)
    • RESOURCES
      • Summary Conclusions and Recommendations (PDF) (Word doc)
  • Sub-Team 7. Non-IOU Load Serving Entities (LSEs). This sub-team is charged with providing recommendations for how to incorporate non-IOU LSEs in future solicitations.
    • RESOURCES
      • Final Conclusions and Recommendations (PDF) (Word doc)

IDER Proceeding Contact

Natalie Guishar, Regulatory Analyst, Energy Division
California Public Utilities Commission