MDTF Meeting Summary 01-05-2012
Metrics Definition Task Force Meeting Summary
January 5, 2012
Contents
Welcome, Agenda Review, and Context 1
Scenario Modeling Parameters 1
Transmission Parameter Data 2
Next Steps and Action Items 3
Meeting Participants 3
Glossary 3
Welcome, Agenda Review, and Context
Chair Sue Henderson of Xcel Energy welcomed participants to the meeting, followed by self-introductions.
Scenario Modeling Parameters
Participants shared comments related to the Scenario Modeling Parameters posted on the MDTF web site, many of which focused on how Demand-Side Management (DSM) will affect load projections modeled in study cases. During the discussion, it was noted that:
· The defined “reasonable” range of DSM impacts should consider locations where DSM programs have been most successful.
· The model may need to add a parameter to capture DSM, as none of the scenarios pulls out DSM specifically; all address DSM in varying degrees.
· Technological advance, in addition to policy decisions, will play a role in determining the extent to which DSM will affect load growth.
· It is possible that DSM implementation could counterbalance load growth entirely, thus producing net zero demand growth.
· Each of the four scenarios could address regional DSM implementation differences.
· Modeling the scenarios successfully may have less to do with selecting values for parameter inputs than with the narratives that describe the thinking behind the inputs.
· DSM isn’t a “blip”—rather, it is a longstanding approach based on its integration into utilities’ policy cultures.
Apart from the above issues, participants did not identify anything that was missing to model the scenarios themselves or to modify the indicated directions of arrows documented in the Scenario Modeling Parameters.
Transmission Parameter Data
WECC has posted Transmission Parameter Data for review by stakeholders. This is the data that was used by TEPPC and WREZ, was updated for 10-Year Plan last year and will be used as the base case. Participants offered the following suggestions on the posted transmission parameter data:
· It may be necessary to add notes about how DC lines are treated and how cost data was obtained.
· Cost data were not escalated from 2022 through 2032.
· Transmission parameter data would be modified to reflect technological advances that reduce the cost of DC facilities.
· Narratives describing the data need to state clearly how TEPPC got the data and how it was affected by scenario assertions.
· In cases where numbers were available from the recent 10-Year Plan, they were used in the transmission parameter data, based on work that E3 did for WECC. Any holes in the data were filled in from other sources. The transmission costs section of the 10-Year Plan documents the process for determining the costs.
· Column AA could be expanded to give links on where the data can be found.
· In determining DC costs, WECC reviewed the most recent project cost data available, pulling data from many sources.
· Environmental costs will be addressed as constraints on the “back end” of the modeling process, based on the relative risks associated with the different land classifications of areas affected by potential transmission solutions.
· It would be useful to create a high-level document that describes how environmental factors will be addressed and how the tool will work.
· It will be necessary to start simply on modeling study cases. While the EDTF is considering possibilities for quantifying mitigation costs, it may not be possible initially to model, for example, societal benefits.
Next Steps and Action Items
Item / Responsibility / Target Date /1.) Review the scenario modeling parameters and send any additional comments to Byron Woertz by January 12, 2012 / MDTF Members / January 12, 2012
2.) Schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss Generation and Load Parameters / Byron Woertz / January 12, 2012
Meeting Participants
First Name / Last Name / Affiliation / Role /Jim / Baak / Vote Solar Initiative / MDTF
Mike / Bailey / WECC / WECC Staff
Jim / Feider / City of Redding, CA / MDTF
Gary / Graham / Western Resource Advocates / MDTF
Kevin / Hanson / ERCOT / Observer
Gerald / Harris / Reos Partners / WECC Consultant
Jeff / Hein / Xcel Energy / MDTF
Sue / Henderson / Xcel Energy / MDTF (Chair)
Ron / Lehr / American Wind Energy Association / MDTF
Carl / Linvill / Aspen Environmental / MDTF
Richard / Marrs / Reos Partners / WECC Consultant
Brad / Nickell / WECC / WECC Staff
Arne / Olson / E3 / WECC Consultant
Heidi / Pacini / WECC / WECC Staff
Howard / Schwartz / WA Energy Office / PDTF
Julia / Souder / Clean Line Energy Partners / MDTF
Henry / Tilghman / Tilghman & Associates / MDTF
Basak / Uluca / ICF International / WECC Consultant
Byron / Woertz / WECC / WECC Staff
Carl / Zichella / Natural Resources Defense Council / MDTF
Glossary
DC Direct Current
DSM Demand-Side Management
MDTF Metrics Definition Task Force
PDTF Policy Development Task Force
TEPPC Transmission Expansion Planning Policy Committee
WREZ Western Renewable Energy Zones
Page 2 of 4