Posts Categorized: Cost Effectiveness

Non-Energy Benefits of Distributed Energy Resources
What I learned during my internship at E4TheFuture

by Owen Connolly

Prior to my summer internship, I had some knowledge of the clean energy industry, but knew nothing about distributed energy resources (DERs) and the benefits they can provide. The valuation team of Julie Michals and Shayna Fidler quickly brought me up to speed on the National Standard Practice Manual for the Benefit-Cost Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources (NSPM for DERs), as well as the Database of Screening Practices (DSP). While the DSP provides details on state cost-effectiveness practices for energy efficiency, my task was to research where and how states are valuing other DERs – with a focus on non-energy benefits (NEBs).

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How Can We Better Account for Economic Development in Benefit-Cost Analysis?
by Shayna Fidler, Julie Michals, and Devin Hubbard

Recent news headlines are dominated by stories of growing investments in distributed energy resources (DERs). “Utility to Jump Start EV Charging Infrastructure,” “Flexible DERs to Replace Natural Gas Peakers,” and “Doubling Down on Energy Efficiency to Fight Climate Change” are becoming common topics. As the shift to a cleaner, more flexible electric grid expands in the US, the connection between investing in DERs and the associated economic development impacts is critical to building a competitive and sustainable clean energy industry.

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TRCs and Sugar Cookies – a Holiday Review of Cost-effectiveness Testing Practices
by Alaina Boyle

As a home baker, I look forward to the holidays for the opportunity to dust off my cookie recipes — and to enjoy quality time with family and friends. Every December I comb through my recipe box to select the year’s favorites. To find the perfect mix of cookies to share with my family and friends, I like to refine the ingredients and directions in old standards while testing new recipes. Recently – bear with me on this – I’ve noticed that the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP) is a lot like my recipe box. Read More
Sowing the Seeds of Change
REEOs report on NSPM developments in their region

by guest authors Cyrus Bhedwar, Greg Ehrendreich, Samantha Caputo, and Elizabeth Titus

Two years ago, the National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM) debuted and began to bloom. With spring upon us once again, we asked several of the regional energy efficiency organizations (REEOs) for their key insights thus far on interest, use, and application of the NSPM in their respective regions. Representatives from three REEOs share their perspectives below and discuss progress on states’ efforts to review cost-effectiveness testing practices using the NSPM framework.
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Gliding into the New Year. . .
New Case Studies & Resources Help States to Apply the NSPM

by Julie Michals

Finding the “sweet spot” in skate skiing requires maximizing the efficiency of your glide. This requires balance – shifting your weight from one foot to the other to stay on top of your skis – as well as engaging your core, lifting your poles high, and keeping your head up so you can see what the trail brings ahead. Along with building endurance, mastering the glide makes it easier to ski up the mountain at a smooth pace, with the reward of a fast and fun descent awaiting on the other side. It takes time and patience to learn proper skate skiing technique, which I continue to work on despite years of practice. Read More
Key Questions Researched as Electricity Distribution Models and Practices Evolve
by Steve Cowell

Repeatedly, we hear about how fast the electric grid is transforming, and about how many difficult issues utilities, regulators, project developers, and other industry players must grapple with daily. Whether you engage with these issues every hour of the day or only tangentially, you know it’s necessary to keep up with what’s happening. I am pleased to announce new essential resources on non-wires alternatives (NWAs) and multi-user microgrids (MUMs). These two papers bring insight to current grid edge topics, and show how location is critically important to planning. Read More
Staying Cool with the NSPM: States Wade into Deeper Waters
by Julie Michals

It’s been over a year since NESP published the groundbreaking National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM). After months of ongoing state outreach to build understanding of the NSPM, stakeholder interest is intensifying. Some jurisdictions are “dipping their toes in,” while others are venturing from shallow to deeper waters. New developments in NSPM awareness and application show states taking the NSPM from theory to practice around the country. Read More
Taking Stock: NSPM Makes Quiet Inroads
by Julie Michals

The year 2017 will likely be remembered as an exciting one for our U.S. electricity industry. Developing technological advances, innovations, and emerging opportunities — largely in the distributed energy area – plus tackling regulatory barriers and testing new policies, programs, rate designs, are among the year’s headlines. Add the federal energy regulatory/political frenzy (aka FERC NOPR), and 2017 became a whirlwind of change and challenges.
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Pollinating a Framework for Cost-Effectiveness Testing
by Julie Michals

Bees and pollination have been on my mind lately. Summer months bring the enjoyment of sampling honey at the local farmers’ market, but more importantly, I’ve learned new things about bees from my daughter’s recent robotics team project — specifically, how much bees matter to humans and how their vitality is at issue.* As I observe bees moving from plant to plant in my garden, their process reminds me of the pollination we humans practice with sharing information. I’ve been in the thick of such a process for a few months, spreading the word about the recently published National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM).
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