April. 2015 UTILITY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS: PSC REV STAKEHOLDER BRIEFING On December 12, 2014, the PSC issued a notice requesting utilities submit demonstration projects that could help inform future policy changes and Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) rulemaking. REV aims to completely overhaul electric utility regulation in NYS. REV has several objectives: increase Distributed Energy Resources (DER), improve grid resiliency, enable smart grid technologies, Demand Response (DR) and increased energy efficiency services. On March 23, 2015, an interagency team briefed stakeholders on the NYS PSC request for demonstration projects under REV. Utilities are requested to submit proposals by July 1, 2015. Slides presented are available for viewing here. It is important to note that the PSC will not approve demonstrations projects except where they might impact rates or rate design. Instead, PSC staff will review utility proposals and regular reports of progress. Demonstration projects are intended to test and explore new business models that will inform the REV proceedings and future rule making. This order is not meant to test technologies. Utilities are encouraged to identify challenges and engage third parties in devising solutions that “will test various DER technologies and products that can be integrated into the utility distribution system planning and operations; customer engagement and response to various programs, pricing structures and technologies; and Distributed System Platform technologies that will allow for the integration…and market operations related to DERs.” Demonstration projects should be informed by criteria detailed in the December 12th notice. PSC staff is available for consultation and information. They will also help link third party developers with utilities. Questions for PSC staff can be sent to [email protected]. Project ideas can be submitted to: www.nyserda.ny.gov/revdemos. 1173 Pittsford Victor Road, Suite 250, Pittsford, NY 14534