A 2015 Commission Order established time-of-use rates across California by 2019. California’s time-of-use rates apply to all commercial, industrial and agricultural customers by default.
The Dept. of Public Utilities issued a 2018 Order authorizing utilities to make $220 million in investments in grid modernization technologies over three years to upgrade their distribution systems.
Xcel Energy embarked on a large-scale project known as SmartGridCity in 2008, including installing two- way fiber-optic communication technology and smart meters for one quarter of the population.
Concluded that well-designed time-of-use rates could also optimize the use of DER for grid services and limit investments in natural gas infrastructure that could become stranded as renewables prices fall.
Analyzing how time and location-specific values may change the economics for distributed energy projects.
The Regulatory Assistance Project develops knowledge and best practices pertaining to rate design, including specific resources on time of use rates.
Making recommendations on developing policy goals, program design, implementation and assessment.
Includes case studies of policy successes as well as a chapter on policy levers that jurisdictions can use to advance the deployment of smart grid assets such as advanced metering.
Grants the Public Utilities Commission wide discretion in pursuing a regulatory agenda to meet the state’s goals of reducing GHG emissions by at least 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030, and 90% by 2050 (over 2005 levels).
Provides for recovery of costs prudently incurred in the siting, design, licensing, and construction of new nuclear power plants.