July 20, 2022 - 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a virtual workshop to consult with stakeholders on how to improve the utility online data portals that are available for distributed energy resource project siting and distribution grid planning, as follows:

WHEN: July 26, 2022, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: Access the workshop remotely via WebEx or phone, as follows:

WHAT: The CPUC will hold a virtual workshop to inform participants about utility online data portals that are available for distributed energy resource project siting and distribution grid planning, which include the Integrated Capacity Analysis, Grid Needs Assessment, and Location Net Benefit Analysis. The panelists will share feedback received to date on how to improve the data portals to make them more useful for the siting of their projects (solar, electric vehicles charging, and other distributed energy resources) and will be soliciting additional feedback from workshop attendees. The discussion will also include grid planning in California.

The most updated information related to the workshop, including an agenda, will be posted on www.cpuc.ca.gov/events-and-meetings/r2106017-workshop-07-26-2022.

Due to continued concerns about COVID-19, the workshop will not have in-person attendance.

Members of the public can make their voice heard in this proceeding, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/R2106017.

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the virtual workshop, no official action will be taken on this matter.

If special accommodations are needed to attend, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least three business days in advance of the workshop.

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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AGENDA

Data Portals Improvement Workshop

High DER Future Grid OIR R.21.06.017

 

Workshop Objectives

  1. Achieve high-level common understanding of how California utilities and regulators conduct distribution grid planning, including the primary data and tools leveraged
  2. Achieve high-level common understanding of what distribution grid planning data and tools are currently available to external stakeholders, including via the utility Distributed Resource Planning (DRP) data portals that include the Integration Capacity Analysis (ICA) and Grid Needs Assessment (GNA) tools
  3. Discuss the primary use cases for the Data Portals:
    • Facilitating interconnection of DERs (ICA)
    • Facilitating siting of DERs and electric vehicle charging stations (ICA)
    • Supporting distribution planning and DER integration (GNA)
  4. Inform attendees of feedback received from DER stakeholders to-date on suggested improvements to the utility data portals and provide an opportunity for additional feedback
  5. Inform attendees of the scope and timing of upcoming enhancements to the utilities’ DRP data portals in development by the consulting team
  6. Inform attendees of additional opportunities to provide feedback on data portal improvement beyond today’s workshop

 

#

Agenda Item

Facilitator

Duration

Start Time

End Time

1

Introduction, Logistics, and Welcome

  • Opening Remarks, Commissioner Houck

CPUC

15 min

9 a.m.

9:15 a.m.

2

Workshop Context

  • Broader High DER Proceeding
  • Consulting Team Intro & Overview
  • Eventual Staff Proposal and Decision on DRP Data Portal Improvements
  • Workshop Series on DRP Data Portals
  • Q&A

CPUC / Verdant

30 min

9:15 a.m.

9:45 a.m.

3

California Distribution Grid Planning Overview

  • Objectives
  • Process
  • Timeline
  • Data Available
  • Q&A

Kevala

45 min

9:45 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

4

DRP Data Portals and Analytical Processes Overview

  • DRP Data Portals
  • Primary Use Cases
  • Data Available
  • Analytical Processes
  • Planned Enhancements
  • Q&A

Verdant

45 min

10:30 a.m.

11:15 a.m.

5

SME DRP Data Portal Interviews

  • Overview
  • Key Themes
  • Q&A

Verdant

45 min

11:15 a.m.

Noon

30 Minute Lunch Break

Noon

12:30 p.m.

6

Feedback from Attendees

  • Who/What are the Users and Use Cases of Today and Tomorrow?
  • How Well are Portals Meeting User Needs?
  • What Changes are Needed?

Gridworks

60 min

12:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

7

Next Steps

  • Providing Additional Feedback on Today’s Workshop
  • DRP Data Portal Workshop #2
  • Staff Proposal
  • Staff Proposal Workshop
  • CPUC Decision

CPUC / Gridworks

15 min

1:30 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

 

Press Release