New resources based on recently completed technical assistance to state PUCs from a consortium of National Laboratories are now available online

For roughly the past year, 21 public utility commissions have been receiving technical assistance from a consortium of National Laboratories, led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and funded by the Department of Energy’s Grid Modernization Initiative, a collaborative partnership of five DOE Offices: Fossil Energy and Carbon Management; Nuclear Energy; Electricity; Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; and Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response. The technical assistance is intended to help state regulators make decisions and develop innovative solutions to improve grid reliability and resiliency, enable the adoption of new technologies, promote energy justice, and develop strategies to decarbonize their electric grids.

This program offered state regulators the opportunity to leverage the expertise and world-class modeling capabilities of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

A little over half of the technical assistance activities are now complete, allowing many of the resources developed in support of these state regulators to be made available publicly on TAtoStatePUCs.lbl.gov for others to leverage. To make them more readily accessible, each resource is listed below with a hyperlink, organized by topic of interest.

DER Adoption & Integration

DER Interconnection Workshop. Presented to GMLC TA to State PUCs DER Interconnection Cohort. Presented on December 15, 2022. Presented by M. Ingram, D. Narang, X. Li, C. Marguis, D. Lew, and S. Forrester. National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Abstract: Provides an overview of and implications for PUCs on: FERC Order 2222; DER Aggregation and Integration into Wholesale Markets and Operation; Allowing DER Aggregations and FERC Order 719; and Using IEEE 1547 Standard in Support of DER Aggregation.

Members-Only Interconnection Standards Technical Assistance Workshop. Presented to National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. Presented on July 17, 2022. Presented by D. Sass Byrnett, M. Ingram, D. Narang, and R. Subramaniam. National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Abstract: Highlights challenges, needs, existing resources, and support materials relevant for state regulators interested in updating interconnection standards.

Grid Planning

Developing Forecasts: Basics & Best Practices. Presented to GMLC TA to State PUCs Forecasting Cohort. Presented on January 30, 2023. Presented by: N. Mims Frick, A. Campbell, E. Hale, B. Tarufelli, A. Satre-Meloy, C. Holland, and A. Sekar. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Abstract: Provides an overview of and best practices associated with developing forecasts, including forecasting of utility load, energy efficiency, demand flexibility, building electrification, electric vehicles, distributed solar, distributed battery storage, and utility costs.

Quantifying Locational Net Benefits of DER for Distribution Systems. Presented to Utah Grid Modernization Stakeholder Collaborative. Presented on September 7, 2022. Presented by: A. Satchwell, N. Mims Frick, and M. Heleno. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 

Abstract: Provides an overview of: 1) state requirements for distribution system planning relevant to state regulators as it relates to distributed energy resources (DER) including hosting capacity analysis, interconnection, non-wires alternatives, and DER tariffs; and 2) Current methodologies for integrating distributed energy resources into distribution system planning and their implementation challenges relevant to state regulators.

Equity & Justice

Assessing the Current State of U.S. Energy Equity Regulation and Legislation (2023). N. Hanus, J. Barlow, A. Satchwell, and P. Cappers. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, February.

Abstract: Identifies, organizes and summarizes state energy equity executive, legislative, and regulatory actions undertaken between January 2020 and July 2022.

Developing an Equity Framework for State Regulatory Decision-Making (2023). S.P. Forrester and A.J. Satchwell. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, August.

Abstract: Presents a framework for states that seek to incorporate equity into regulatory decision-making.

Resilience

Considerations for Resilience Guidelines for Clean Energy Plans: For the Oregon Public Utility Commission and Oregon Electricity Stakeholders (2022). J.S. Homer, K.M. Boenker, A.A. Lipert, K. Oikonomou, R. Tapio, and H.J Corsair. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, September.  

Abstract: Summarizes relevant approaches, research, models, and national examples for state utility regulators tasked with developing utility guidelines for risk-based resiliency planning. 

The Value of Sharing and Consolidating Critical Community, Electricity, and Natural Hazard Information (2023). C. Sparti, P. Larsen, and T. Huntington. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, August.  

Abstract: Review of hazard mitigation plans in California to develop a common, but generic, data taxonomy showing fields to collect to encourage consolidating and sharing of this information in the future. 

Utility Regulation

Total Factor Productivity Studies in the Electricity Sector: An Overview of Methodologies and Best Practices (2022). B. Tarufelli and M. Weimar. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL-33001), June.

Abstract: Review of common methods and best practices for measuring and aggregating outputs and inputs for the development of the X-factor in price and revenue cap regulation based on total factor productivity studies.

Total Factor Productivity (TFP) Studies in the Electricity Sector: Emerging Issues and Recommendations (2022). B. Tarufelli. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL-SA-177241), September.

Abstract: Review of common methods, challenges, and approaches for measuring and aggregating outputs and inputs for determining total factor productivity and developing an X-factor in price and revenue cap regulation based on literature review and case studies of Eversource and National Grid.

Total Factor Productivity (TFP) Studies in the Electricity Sector: Methodologies and Best Practices (2023). Presented to Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Presented on June 8, 2023. Presented by B. Tarufelli and M. Weimar. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL-SA-185710).

Abstract: Overview of common methodologies, assumptions, and their potential biases, as well as recommendations for improving the evaluation of total factor productivity studies, focusing on the aspects of developing the X-Factor.

Evaluating the X-Factor: A Brief Overview of Methodologies and Best Practices (2023). B. Tarufelli and M. Weimar. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (Journal pre-print PNNL-SA-181924), June.

Abstract: Technical overview of common methodologies, assumptions, and their potential biases, as well as recommendations for improving the evaluation of total factor productivity studies, focusing on the aspects of developing the X-Factor.