Bridging the Data Gap to Inform Regulatory Decisions for Utility Grid Investments
U.S. investor-owned utilities spent an estimated $59.7B on distribution system investments in 2024, accounting for the largest portion of capital expenditures — 32 percent, according to the Edison Electric Institute. While utilities conduct extensive analysis to develop distribution system plans, in most jurisdictions regulators and stakeholders do not know what data are available and how the utility uses the data in planning and investing.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's new report, Bridging the Gap on Distribution Planning Data and Analysis: Information That Utilities Can Provide Regulators, State Energy Offices and Other Stakeholders, aims to increase understanding of the types of data and analyses utilities employ to develop distribution system plans and how the information affects utility decision-making. Researchers will share their findings in a public webinar on February 27, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pacific. Register here: https://lbnl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OeIubZPtSHumaHeNwmyNiA
Sharing data provides transparency into the utility's planned capital investments and operation and maintenance expenditures over time. Providing a longer-term, holistic picture of interdependent distribution system investments before they show up individually in utility rate cases facilitates regulatory and stakeholder review and understanding as well as improved oversight of electricity costs on behalf of utility customers. The information also is useful for reviewing proposed distributed energy resource (DER) programs and retail rates and enabling consumers and third-party providers to propose grid solutions and participate in providing grid services.
The report describes information in 11 data categories that states and stakeholders can ask for:
- Forecasting loads and DERs
- Scenario analysis
- Worst-performing circuits
- Asset management strategy
- Hosting capacity analysis (see graphic)
- Value of DERs
- Grid needs assessment
- Cost-effectiveness evaluation for investments
- Distribution system investment strategy and implementation
- Geotargeted programs
- Non-wires alternatives procurements
Xcel Energy, Colorado, generation hosting capacity map and data pop-up window
For each of the 11 categories, the report describes the types of data and analyses utilities use in planning and their impacts on grid planning and investments. Tables provide summary information (see examples for two data categories at the end of this announcement).
Bridging the Gap on Distribution Planning Data and Analysis: Information That Utilities Can Provide Regulators, State Energy Offices and Other Stakeholders can be downloaded here. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy supported the study. Report authors are Sean Murphy, Lisa Schwartz, Guillermo Pereira and Cody Davis.
Contact: Sean Murphy ([email protected]; 510-486-4523) or Lisa Schwartz ([email protected]; 510-926-1091)
