Idaho customer generation study

On June 29, 2023, Rocky Mountain Power asked the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to acknowledge its on-site generation study.  Rocky Mountain Power has filed the study to evaluate methods, inputs, and assumptions for valuing customer self-generation that is exported to the grid. The purpose of this study is not to propose a specific export credit rate at this time but to initiate a review and obtain feedback on potential considerations for valuing an export credit rate. As part of its application, Rocky Mountain Power has asked the commission to set a schedule which allows for intervenor and public comment on the study.

The commission asked Rocky Mountain Power to conduct the on-site generation study, as part of Case No. PAC-E-19-08. The study provides information that the commission, Rocky Mountain Power and other stakeholders will use to determine whether changes should be made to Rocky Mountain Power’s existing rate schedules for customers who choose to generate some of their own energy. Rocky Mountain Power, in its application which opens Case No. PAC-E-23-17, is requesting the commission acknowledge the study as fulfilling the obligations of Order No. 34753.

Study overview

The highlights of the study were defined in commission Order No. 34753 and include the following elements:

• The study gives a snapshot of Rocky Mountain Power’s approximately 2,200 on-site customer generation customers in Idaho.  
• The different components of the Export Credit Rate (ECR), which is how customers are compensated (in the form of a bill credit) for excess energy they send back to Rocky Mountain Power’s grid, are evaluated. The components include, but are not limited to, the avoided energy value, avoided capacity value, and avoided transmission and distribution costs. 
• The effects of netting imports to the grid for different time periods; monthly, hourly, and instantaneously are analyzed to show the company impact for each scenario. 
• Additional factors were also considered such as expiration time periods for bill credits and the frequency of updates to the Export Credit Rate.

Review the full study

On-Site Generation Study

Appendices

• Appendix 3.1 Idaho Net Metering Class Production
• Appendix 4.1 Export Profile Jan 2021-Dec 2022
  
• Appendix 4.4 Idaho Export Profile Validiation Average Capacity
  
• Appendix 4.5 Idaho Export Profile Validation Monthly Exports
  
• Appendix 4.6 Idaho Export Profile Validation PV Watts Production
  
• Appendix 4.7 Appendix K Capacity Contribution - 2021 IRP
  
• Appendix 8.1 Appendix F Flexible Reserve Study - 2021 IRP
  
• Appendix 8.2 Wind and Solar Integration Charges Approved in Order No. 34966
  
• Appendix 11.1 Weighted Average Overproduction
  
• Appendix 11.2 Idaho Expired Credit Analysis 2012-2022
  
• Appendix 11.3 Customer Impact at 2- , 5- and 10-Year Expiration
  
• Appendix 11.4 SAR Export Credit Analysis
  
• Appendix 12.0 Utah STEP Smart Inverter Study
  
• PAC-E-23-17 Rocky Mountain Power Application On-Site Generation Study - 6-29-23
  
• PAC-E-23-17 Rocky Mountain Power On-Site Generation Study - 6-29-23
  
• PAC-E-23-17 Rocky Mountain Power Press Release and Bill Insert - 6-29-23
  

Next steps

Rocky Mountain Power has submitted its application to the Idaho commission with the goal of keeping customers and the public informed of any potential changes to customer generation policies. Next, the commission will set a schedule to process the case. Interested stakeholders will have an opportunity to submit public comments on the study. Rocky Mountain Power has proposed a schedule that will allow for the company to provide a workshop on the proposed study, and for the commission staff to hold a public workshop. 

The Idaho commission is accepting feedback from customers on the study.

To provide feedback to the commission regarding the study, customers can file written comments with the Idaho Commission at puc.idaho.gov/Form/CaseComment (reference Case No. PAC-E-23-17) or customers can mail written comments to PO Box 83720, Boise ID, 83720.