Microgrids and Resliency Strategies

This proceeding focuses on implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 1339 (Stern, 2018), which statutorily defines a microgrid as:

An interconnected system of loads and energy resources, including, but not limited to, distributed energy resources, energy storage, demand response tools, or other management, forecasting, and analytical tools, appropriately sized to meet customer needs, within a clearly defined electrical boundary that can act as a single, controllable entity, and can connect to, disconnect from, or run in parallel with, larger portions of the electrical grid, or can be managed and isolated to withstand larger disturbances and maintain electrical supply to connected critical infrastructure.

R. 19-0-009 is divided into 3 Tracks:

Track 1 - Streamline interconnection applications, modify existing tariffs to maximize resiliency benefits, facilitate local government access to utility infrastructure and planning data, and IOU proposals for immediate implementation of resiliency strategies, including partnership and planning with local governments.

Track 2 - Develop microgrid service standards necessary to meet state and local permitting requirements, pursuant to Section 8371(a).  Develop methods to reduce barriers for microgrid deployment, without shifting costs between ratepayers, develop guidelines to determine what impact studies are necessary for microgrids to connect to the IOU grid.

Track 3 - Workshops taking place in Q3 2020 will solicit stakeholder input on the prioritization of the development of Microgrid Tariffs for several types of Microgrids. Specifically, different tariffs for simple and complex microgrid configurations. Also under consideration is the exemption from non-bypassable charges for critical facilities.