Minnesota’s PUC approved a time-of-use pilot program proposed by X-Cel Energy expected to drive greater use of renewables and reduce peak demand. The two-year, 17,500-customer plan is intended to use three price tiers and drive more off-peak use.
In November 2017, National Grid filed a plan to implement an opt-out time varying rates program by 2022. In August 2018, the Commission requested development of the advanced metering functionality deployment plan that would support the rates.
Tucson Electric Power in Arizona received received approval for a new optional time-of-use rate which became the default rate for new customers starting in January 2019.
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.