The mission of the division is to assess California’s energy systems and trends, providing information for decision-makers and the public that support policy ideation that balances the need for adequate resources with economic, public health, safety, and environmental goals. The division’s strategy is to expand staff capabilities in the latest modeling and analytical techniques.
The division is organized into five branches.
Advanced Electrification Analysis
The Advanced Electrification Analysis Branch develops forecasts and longer-term energy demand scenarios and other analytical products, with three main teams:
- Energy Efficiency. Emphases on energy efficiency and fuel substitution, including electrification and hydrogen.
- Transportation. Emphasis on electrification of the transportation sector, vehicle-grid integration, and analysis of all transportation fuels.
- Demand Scenarios. Longer-term energy demand scenarios for all fuels and sectors of the economy, with geography included for the seven major electricity planning areas.
Increasing emphasis for the branch has been on enhancing the geographical granularity of work products, especially to support electricity system planning.
Data Integration
The Data Integration Branch collects, analyzes, administers surveys, and develops reports on energy industry data. The branch is responsible for implementing EAD’s data strategy, using the latest data science tools and methodologies to inform stakeholders of relevant insights and developments. The branch provides essential statistics and facts used to assess and develop energy policy and situational awareness dashboards, including categories such as:
- Electric generation supply
- Electricity and natural gas consumption
- Economic/Demographics
- Electricity procurement and greenhouse gas emissions
- Power plant reporting
Demand Analysis
The Demand Analysis Branch produces electricity and natural gas demand forecasts used by other energy agencies and utilities for energy system planning. The Demand Analysis team collects and analyzes data on annual and hourly electricity demand, and annual and daily natural gas consumption. In developing these forecasts, the office uses projected economic and demographic growth, projected changes in rates and other cost factors, historical and projected weather and climate change data, and projections for behind-the-meter PV and storage. The Demand Analysis team incorporates estimated impacts of energy efficiency and transportation and building electrification strategies from the Advanced Electrification Analysis Branch.
Fuels Analysis
The Fuels Analysis Branch collects, analyzes, and provides policy expertise on a range of petroleum and natural gas resource issues. The branch is responsible for assessing petroleum and natural gas markets, available supply, and strategies to support changing demand as the state pursues a low carbon future. The branch provides essential statistics and facts used to assess and develop energy policy and situational awareness dashboards, including categories such as:
- Natural gas supplies
- Natural gas prices
- Petroleum refinery production of transportation fuels
- Transportation fuels supplies
- Imports and exports of crude oil and transportation fuels
Reliability Analysis
The Reliability Analysis Branch collects data, produces analyses, and provides policy expertise on a range of electric resource planning and reliability issues. The branch analysis focuses on electrical energy supply and technologies, markets, infrastructure, natural and human-made impacts on these resources, and emergency response. The Reliability Analysis Unit also assesses scenarios that could help California on its path to a 100 percent clean electricity future.