March 5, 2020
ESA Calls for Accurate Energy Storage Valuation in Michigan’s CBA Framework
ESA filed comments yesterday on Michigan’s 2020 Distribution Planning Draft Staff Report for the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) consideration. The report provides recommendations to the Commissioners on utility electric distribution planning moving forward, based on a stakeholder process in 2019.
In our comments, ESA calls for evaluation of the state’s current benefit cost methodology to ensure it captures the entire range of benefits that energy storage offers. ESA also recommends utility programs to leverage and compensate behind-the-meter storage resources to provide distribution grid services and other system benefits. Lastly, ESA calls for the MPSC to require that utility distribution investment plans give strong consideration to non-wires alternatives and consider the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of these solutions before a major distribution system investment is undertaken.
