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California and Western Energy:� �Introduction and Agency Overview

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Dian Grueneich

Precourt Energy Scholar, Precourt Institute for Energy

Stanford University

Dian.Grueneich@Grueneich.com

February 20, 2019

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Topics:

  • Electricity and Natural Gas Systems
  • Concepts and Facts about California and Western Energy
  • Key California Energy and Climate Agencies
  • Key Western Energy Organizations
  • Summing It Up

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Topics:

  • Overview of Electricity and Natural Gas Systems
  • Concepts and Facts about California and Western Energy
  • Key California Energy and Climate Agencies
  • Key Western Energy Organizations
  • Summing It Up

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Electricity System

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Bulk or Utility-Scale Generation

Transmission System

Distribution System

Utility-Owned

Independent Power Producers

Utility or 3rd Party Owned

Utility/3rd Party Operated

ISOs/RTOs

Utility Owned/Operated

Retail Service Providers

Distributed Energy Resources

Key Components

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Natural Gas System

Key Components

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Topics:

  • Overview of Electricity and Natural Gas Systems
  • Concepts and Facts about California and Western Energy
  • Key California Energy and Climate Agencies
  • Key Western Energy Organizations
  • Summing It Up

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1. California Electricity Suppliers

    • Types of electricity suppliers in California
    • What is a utility?
    • The major California utilities
    • Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs)

2. Balancing Authorities

    • What is a Balancing Authority (BA)?
    • Western U.S. Balancing Authorities
    • California Balancing Authorities
    • The CAISO footprint (California and beyond [EIM])

3. California Electricity System

    • 2012 vs. 2017 supply types
    • California vs. US electricity sources

4. California Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (2016)

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Who Sells Electricity in California?

Retail Electricity Sellers (88):

    • Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) - 6
    • Publicly-Owned Utilities (POUs) – 41
    • Rural Electricity Cooperatives - 4
    • Native American Utilities - 3
    • Electricity Service Providers (ESPs) – 15
    • Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) – 19 programs

Load Serving Entities (LSEs):

    • Retail sellers under CA Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) jurisdiction (IOUs, ESPs, CCAs)

Sources: CEC, www.energy.ca.gov/almanac/electricity_data/utilities.html (Feb. 2015); CPUC; CalCCA; CMUA

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1. What Does It Do?

  • Owns distribution lines
  • May own transmission
  • May own powerplants
  • Delivers “services”, e.g.
    • keeps the lights on;
    • leases batteries;
    • provides EV charging stations.

2. Who Owns It?

  • Shareholders -- Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs)
  • Local governments –Municipal Utilities
  • Individuals - Coops

What is a Utility?

3. Who Regulates It?

  • Federal
  • State
  • Local

Depends on what utility does and who owns it

4. Other Players – Who Are NOT Utilities

  • Competitive Retail sellers
  • Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs)
  • ISOs/RTOs
  • IPPs

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California’s Five Largest �Electric Utilities

  • Investor-Owned Utilities
    • Southern California Edison Company (SCE) (Edison Int’l)
    • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) (in bankruptcy)
    • San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) (Sempra w/ SoCalGas)
  • Publicly-Owned Utilities
    • Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
    • Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

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Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) are local government agencies that purchase and may develop electricity on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal facilities within a local or sub-regional area. Began in 2010.

What is Community Choice Aggregation?

*Image from LEAN Energy: http://www.leanenergyus.org/what-is-cca/

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Western Balancing Authorities

ISO PUBLIC © 2017 CAISO

  • A Balancing Authority (BA) balances generation and load in order to maintain the electric frequency of the grid.

  • The CAISO is the largest of 38 BAs in the Western Interconnection, handling

approximately 36% of its load

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California Independent System Operator BA Territory & Transmission Lines

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California ISO’s market footprints

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ISO Balancing Authority Area

Energy Imbalance Market

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2012 vs. 2017 California Electric Use (GWh)�(70% In-State & 30% Out-of-State Imports)

Source: CEC, https://www.energy.ca.gov/almanac/electricity_data/total_system_power.html (June 21, 2018)

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Supply Type

2012

2017

Natural Gas

43%

34%

Renewables

15%

29%

Large Hydro

8%

15%

Nuclear

9%

9%

Coal

8%

4%

Unspecified Sources (NG/C/R)

16%

9%

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CA vs. US Electricity Sources

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14.3

12.8

6.4

6.1

9.3

Source: U.S. EIA: https://www.eia.gov/state/seds/

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2016 CA Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

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Emissions by GHG

Emissions by Economic Sector

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Topics:

  • Overview of Electricity and Natural Gas Systems
  • Concepts and Facts about California and Western Energy
  • Key California Energy and Climate Agencies
  • Key Western Energy Organizations
  • Summing It Up

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Key CA Energy and Climate Agencies:

  • Who are they?
  • History
  • Structure
  • Oversight
  • Roles
  • Responsibilities
  • Challenges

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Major CA Energy Agencies:

  • CEC: California Energy Commission
    • Homepage: http://www.energy.ca.gov/
  • CPUC: California Public Utilities Commission
    • Homepage: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/
  • CAISO: California Independent System Operator
  • CARB: California Air Resources Board
  • CDWR: California Department of Water Resources
    • Homepage: http://www.water.ca.gov/

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California Energy Agencies�History

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CEC

CPUC

CAISO

CARB

CDWR

Created in 1974 by Legislature (Warren-Alquist Act) in response to energy crises and increasing energy demand.

Created in 1911 by Constitutional Amendment (called the Railroad Comm’n) to offset power of railroads.

Legislature passed Public Utilities Act in 1912.

Renamed CPUC in 1946.

Created in 1998 by CA Legislature when CA restructured its electricity markets, following passage of federal Energy Policy Act of 1992.

Created in 1967 by CA Legislature to clean up CA’s air.

Established prior to U.S. EPA and uniquely can set more stringent stds.

Created in 1956 by CA Legislature to build and operate State Water Project after severe flooding in North CA.

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California Energy Agencies�Structure

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CEC

CPUC

CAISO

CARB

CDWR

Sacramento

5 Commissioners appointed by Gov, confirmed by Senate

Staggered, 5 yr terms with specific expertise areas

Gov designates Chair

Executive Director/ GC/Hearing Officers/Public Adviser

7 Divisions

 

SF/Sacramento/LA

5 Commissioners appointed by Gov, confirmed by Senate

Staggered, 6 yr terms

Gov designates President

Executive Director/

GC/ALJs/Public Adviser/Ratepayer Advocate

10 Divisions

Over 1000 Staff

Folsom

5 Bd Governors appointed by Gov, confirmed by Senate

3 yr terms

Gov designate Bd Chair

President & CEO

9 VPs

Sacramento

16 Board Members appointed by Gov and Leg leadership

Staggered, 6 yr terms introduced in July 2018

Gov designates Board Chair

Executive Office

10 Divisions

>1600 staff scientists, engineers, etc.

Sacramento

Director appointed by Gov, confirmed by Senate

No term

Gov appoints Dir

11 major divisions and 8 offices

Over 3500 staff

Includes SWP Power & Risk Office (PARO).

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CEC

CPUC

CAISO

CARB

CDWR

Part of CA Natural Resources Agency

 

 

Constitutionally independent agency

Limited judicial review of decisions

Independent, non-profit public benefit corporation created by CA law

Tariffs and market rules approved by FERC

1 of 6 departments under CalEPA

Some stds approved by U.S. EPA but historical exemptions for more stringent stds

Part of CA Natural Resources Agency

California Energy Agencies�Oversight

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CEC

CPUC

CAISO

CARB

CDWR

State’s primary policy and planning agency.

Lead CA agency for international energy activities.

State agency that regulates CA retail sellers - investor-owned utilities (IOUs), ESPs, CCAs -electric, natural gas, tele-communication.

Also lead role on IOU in wildfires and safety.

Operates a

competitive wholesale electricity market.

Manages reliability of 80% of CA’s transmission grid.

Responsible for attaining and maintaining clean air – climate, criteria, and air toxics.

Typically regulates intrastate equipment (cars, trucks, off-road vehicles) and fuels

Local air districts (35) control stationary sources.

State agency responsible for managing and regulating California water resources.

California Energy Agencies�Roles

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California Energy Agencies�Energy Responsibilities (1)

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CEC

CPUC

CAISO

CARB

CDWR

Develops CA’s Integrated Energy Policy Report

Permits thermal powerplants >50MW

RD&D

Adopts CA’s appliance & building efficiency standards, some grants

Renewable development – tracks RPS compliance

Safety

Sets electric & gas rates

Sets IOU rates of return (profit)

Supply side procurement/ resource adequacy/IOU PPAs

Plans and permits transmission lines

Adopts rules for open access to transmission grid

Centrally dispatches generation and coordinates movement of wholesale electricity

Markets include energy (day-ahead and real-time)/ ancillary services

Lead agency for State Implementation Plans (SIPs) required under federal Clean Air Act for attaining national ambient air quality standards

Responsible for reducing CA’s GHG emissions

Owns and operates State Water Project (SWP), largest state-built water and power system in the U.S.

Operates as a utility, participating in CAISO markets

Holds long-term power and transmission contracts

Subject to emissions reporting and compliance

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California Energy Agencies�Energy Responsibilities (2)

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CEC

CPUC

CAISO

CARB

CDWR

Transportation – alternative & renewable fuels, vehicles, technologies

Forecasting and analysis

Emergency energy planning

Limited jurisdiction

(RPS, EE, IRP) over state’s publicly-owned utilities

Clean Energy Programs (EE/DR, RPS/DG/Storage/ EVs, etc.) – sets goals, funds, oversees implementation

Grid of the Future/New Utility Business Models

R&D – funds EPIC and oversees program

Prevents market manipulation

Launched Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) in 2014

Conducts annual transmission planning process

Hosts first US renewables dispatch desk

Develops CA’s Climate Change Scoping Plan

Operates CA’s Cap & Trade program

Lead on low carbon, advanced transportation efforts

Adopts regulations for non-stationary emissions (e.g., trucks, cars)

Implements renewable and energy efficiency projects to reduce SWP impacts

Develops CA Water Plan

Assists local water projects

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Challenges

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  • Agency coordination (principals and staff)

  • Understanding innovation – technology, business models, opportunities, etc.

  • Program performance evaluation

  • Recruitment/new skills and allowed positions

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Topics:

  • Overview of Electricity and Natural Gas Systems
  • Concepts and Facts about California and Western Energy
  • Key California Energy and Climate Agencies
  • Key Western Energy Organizations
  • Summing It Up

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Key Western Energy Organizations:

  • Who are they?
  • Region
  • History
  • Structure
  • Oversight
  • Roles
  • Responsibilities

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Major Western Energy Organizations:

  • WIEB: Western Interstate Energy Board
      • westernenergyboard.org
  • WECC: Western Electricity Coordinating Council
      • www.wecc.biz
  • WGA: Western Governors’ Association
      • www.westgov.org

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Western Energy Organizations�Region

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WIEB

WECC

WGA

11 Western States and three western Canadian Provinces

Region extends from Canada to Mexico and includes Alberta, British Columbia, northern portion of Baja and all or parts of 14 Western states between

Represents the Governors of 19 Western states and 3 U.S.-flag islands

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Western Energy Organizations�History

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WIEB

WECC

WGA

Created by Western Governors in 1970 under Western Interstate Nuclear Compact (passed by Congress).

Originally intended to encourage state cooperation on nuclear energy but compact includes “related fields” so focus is all energy matters.

Formed in 1967 by 40 power systems, then known as the Western Systems Coordinating Council (WSCC).

In 2002 became WECC when three regional transmission associations merged.

In 2007, received delegated authority from the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) and designated Regional Entity in the Western Interconnection.

Established in 1984 through merger of two Governorsorganizations to provide strong multistate leadership on critical issues in the Western US.

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Western Energy Organizations�Structure

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WIEB

WECC

WGA

Denver, CO

15 Board members

Governor of each state/Premier of each province appoints a member to the Board. US President also appoints ex-officio member.

Salt Lake City, UT

9-member Independent Board of Directors and 6-person Executive Team, incl. CEO

Board elected by WECC membership

Board oversees topic committees that include stakeholders and subject matter experts

Denver, CO

22 Governors

Executive Committee consists of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Immediate Past Chairman

Remaining Governors serve on Board of Directors

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Western Energy Organizations�Oversight

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WIEB

WECC

WGA

Independent organization

Delegated authority from NERC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Independent organization

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Western Energy Organizations�Roles

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WIEB

WECC

WGA

Provide framework for cooperative state energy efforts.

Goal to “enhance the economy of the West and contribute to the well-being of the region’s people.“

Non-profit corporation that assures a reliable Bulk Electric System in area known as the Western Interconnection.

Serves as the Regional Entity for Western Interconnection.

Support bipartisan policy development, information exchange, and collective action on critical issues in Western US.

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Western Energy Organizations�Energy Responsibilities

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WIEB

WECC

WGA

Promote energy policy developed cooperatively among member states/provinces and federal government.

Oversee work of Board’s committees:

  • High-Level Radioactive Waste Committee (HLRW)
  • Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (WIRAB)
  • Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation (CREPC)
  • Western Energy Imbalance Market-Body of State Regulators (EIM-BOSR)

Compliance, monitoring and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards

Develop Regional Reliability Standards and WECC Regional Criteria

Conduct studies and assessments for reliable planning and operation

Provide education and training (standards, compliance issues, safety, bulk power system, etc.)

Receives advice from Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (WIRAB)

Develop and promote sound public policy

Exchange information and identify best practices

Collect data and perform quality research

Educate the public, opinion leaders and other policymakers

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Topics:

  • Electricity and Natural Gas Systems
  • Concepts and Facts about California and Western Energy
  • Key California Energy and Climate Agencies
  • Key Western Energy Organizations
  • Summing It Up

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Summing It Up

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  • CA’s energy systems are large and complex; interwoven physically and through oversight
  • Multiple agencies are responsible for energy in CA due to its added impacts on air quality, water resources
  • Agencies have different structures, histories, roles, and responsibilities but share common goals of providing reliable, affordable, sustainable energy
  • CA is part of the Western energy system and what happens in the West is critical to CA and vice versa

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THANK YOU!

Dian Grueneich

Precourt Energy Scholar,

Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University

Dian.Grueneich@Grueneich.com

with assistance from

Isaac Sevier

isaac@sevier.io