LNBA Working Group Meetings

Meetings held at the California Public Utilities Commission

June 9, 2016

Introduction and Overview

Discussion for LBNA Working Group similar in content and consensus next steps to the morning ICA Working Group – please see ICA meeting summary.

Review Draft Outlines of LNBA Implementation Plans: Methodology

Summary of discussion

-SDG&E presented on behalf of the utilities on the draft Implementation Plans for Demo B on the LNBA methodology

-An open discussion item is the incorporation of DER growth scenarios, particularly a high-DER growth scenario, into the LBNA analysis, how scenarios are determined (based on planned utility growth or for exercise purposes), and how they play a role in planning

Working Group key next steps

-Long-term discussion/activities:

  • scenarios development and consideration of high DER growth scenarios
  • think about linkage between LBNA and hosting capacity (thought of as “feedback loop”
  • coordination and/or alignment between IDER and DRP proceeding (what stays separate, what stays aligned)
  • consider LBNA on time scale longer than the distribution planning period (Demo B only evaluates current planning practice) while maintaining that LBNA methodology
  • discussion on LBNA and determining total avoided cost in procurement (articulating attributes of resources)
  • value of resources independent of need and synergies between values (including but not limited to CAISO, procurement for resource adequacy, etc.)

Presentation by E3 on LBNA Work

Summary of discussion

-Brian Horii (E3) presented on the development of its new public tool for integrating avoided public costs into LBNA. The developed tool for Demo Project B use will be common to all IOUs, incorporates system values from DERAC/ACM tools, develop avoided costs for local transmission and distribution, evaluates avoided costs for representative DER technologies, and fully transparent. The methodology will be submitted June 16.

-The public tool will not be ready until Demo B project is completed. A beta version should be made available by the IOUs before August 15 so that stakeholders have an opportunity to review it. The IOUs expect to engage in a back-and-forth conversation with E3 and the Working Groups between August and November, when the WG has planned to take a deep dive into methodology.

Working Group key next steps

-Discussion on the public tool will be tabled for longer-term WG discussion

Draft Implementation Plans: Demo B DPA(s)

-SDG&E, SCE, and PG&E presented on their proposed DPAs for Demo Project B. Full slide decks and a recording of these presentations, including the stakeholder discussion and comments, can be found online at

Working Group key next steps:

-The following topics proposed for longer-term refinement were brought to attention:

  • Listing all work projects occurring in DPA (more detail in August or September WG meeting)
  • Customer acquisition of DERs within methodology (matching available customer markets and demand/need)
  • Integrating growth scenarios into both ICA and LNBA
  • Consensus on use cases for LNBA, coordinated with the IDER proceeding, understanding how use cases will be used, what elements the use cases should capture
  • Understanding the ongoing LMP+D conversation in New York and how it may relate to current conversation on use cases

-In particular to the use cases discussion, the Working Group will form a subgroup to create a draft for circulation before the next WG meeting. MTS will take the lead initially in advance of the July WG meeting, with assistance from IOUs and stakeholders

Proposed Calendar for Addressing Data Issues

Discussion for LBNA Working Group similar in content and consensus next steps to the morning ICA Working Group – please see ICA notes above.