STAFF WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE MICROGRIDS AS A DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCE (DER) ALTERNATIVE

As part of the California Energy Commission's (Energy Commission) Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program, the Energy Systems Integration (ESI) Program is holding a workshop to explore different microgrid concepts, identify current research gaps, and review the Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTS) Microgrid demonstration plan.

Workshop Objective

The objective of the workshop is to support the overall Energy Commission PIER DER program in exploring the potential for microgrids as an attractive DER alternative. During the workshop, we will cover the following topics:

• Present the CERTS microgrid concept and program plan
• Explore alternative views (mental models) on definition of microgrids and related technologies
• Identify key uncertainties (research gaps) that need to be addressed for the CERTS microgrid concept
• Identify key activities (program plan) to be carried out in demonstration
• Identify potential high priority areas in microgrid technology development for CEC PIER funding and activity and possible linkages to existing program activities

Workshop Documents

The CERTS white paper "Integration of Distributed Energy Resources: The MicroGrid Concept" will be made available from the Energy Commission's website (www.energy.ca.gov) on April 18, 2002. Please check back at that time to get your copy. Comments regarding the microgrid concept presented in the white paper should be submitted to both the Energy Commission and Arthur D. Little via e-mail. The appropriate contact people are Mark Rawson at [mrawson@energy.state.ca.us] and Stan Blazewicz at [blazewicz.stanley@adlittle.com] for the Energy Commission and Arthur D. Little, respectfully. Submitted comments will be covered in an aggregate form during the workshop. Specific comments will not be covered explicitly in the workshop. The cut-off date for comments will be May 3, 2002.

About PIER

In 1996, Governor Pete Wilson signed Assembly Bill 1890 into law which provided authority for a fundamental restructuring of California's electric services industry. Included in this legislation was a requirement that at least $62.5 million be collected annually from investor-owned utility ratepayers for "public interest" energy research and development efforts that competitive and regulated markets do not adequately cover. Of the $62.5 million collected, $61.8 million is transferred to the Energy Commission to administer specific research and development projects within the PIER Program. The program portfolio includes five subject areas: Renewable Energy Technologies, Environmentally Preferred Advanced Generation, Energy-Related Environmental Enhancements, End-Use Energy Efficiency and Energy Systems Integration.

RSVP

Please confirm your participation in the workshop as soon as possible and no later than April 18, 2002, two weeks before the workshop. Confirmations should be emailed to Jose Luis Contreras at [contreras.joseluis@adlittle.com].

Assistance

For information on participating in Commission proceedings, please contact Roberta Mendonca, the Public Adviser, at (916) 654-4489, toll free (800) 822-6228, or by e-mail at [pao@energy.state.ca.us]. If you require special accommodations, please contact Priscilla Ross at (916) 653-6631 at least five days before the workshop. Technical questions about this workshop should be directed to Mark Rawson at (916) 654-4671 or by e-mail at [mrawson@energy.state.ca.us]. News media inquiries should be directed to Assistant Executive Director, Claudia Chandler at (916) 654-4989.

Date online: April 2, 2002