ScottMadden Examines California and New York DER Demonstration Projects

ScottMadden, Inc., one of North America’s leading energy consulting firms, recently released a new report focused on the different approaches for distributed energy resource (DER) integration in California and New York. Specifically, this paper explores California’s and New York’s use of demonstration and pilot projects and examines their major differences and similarities.

California and New York have approached the question of DER integration from distinct perspectives. The two states have seen very different levels of DER penetration, and their policy goals reflect different objectives. Though both states are using demonstration and pilot projects to test new concepts and models, their differences in current levels of DER penetration and policy goals are reflected in their approaches to demonstration projects as well. These differences are important to note because they will provide important lessons learned about the policy, technical, and business model implications of integrating DERs.

“As utilities and regulators in other states consider how best to begin to integrate DERs, demonstration or pilot projects are a good way to test concepts and technologies. California and New York both provide valuable learnings, though they have focused on very different aspects of DER integration,” said Cristin Lyons, partner and grid transformation practice leader at ScottMadden.

For more information regarding the grid transformation proceedings in California and New York, view the ScottMadden and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) joint report. This summary reviews the different approaches California and New York are taking regarding the integration of DERs in each state.

About ScottMadden’s Grid Transformation Practice

For more than 30 years, ScottMadden has helped our clients transform the way they operate, plan, and maintain the grid and interact with their customers. The Grid Transformation practice focuses on helping clients adapt to the myriad changes driven by the increasing penetration of distributed energy resources, such as distributed generation, storage, demand response, and microgrids. We help our clients choose the path that meets their reliability, customer, and regulatory goals, and then we help them implement it.

About ScottMadden, Inc.

ScottMadden is the management consulting firm that does what it takes to get it done right. Our practice areas include Energy, Clean Tech & Sustainability, Corporate & Shared Services, and Grid Transformation. We deliver a broad array of consulting services ranging from strategic planning through implementation across many industries, business units, and functions. To learn more, visit www.scottmadden.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn