Retail Choice Regulator To Open Inquiry On Utility Ownership Of DERs, Storage

Also Addresses Access To Customer Data, Says Enforcing Third Parties' Compliance With Utility's Cybersecurity Standards Is The Responsibility Of The Utility (Not PSC)

June 8, 2020

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Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

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The District of Columbia PSC directed that Commission Staff initiate a Notice of Inquiry, within 60 days, to address ownership of energy storage devices and other distributed energy resources (DERs)

The NOI shall, "investigate issues related to the classification of energy storage, energy storage operation in the wholesale market, ownership of energy storage, behind-the-meter energy storage control, solar PV ownership, and other DERs such as demand response as the District moves forward with modernization of the grid."

"We do not believe that an NOI proceeding would unreasonably delay deployment of DER. Besides, it is more important to get it right first than to rush into such deployment without further consideration of the issues. An NOI will allow both DOEE and Pepco to support their differing positions so that we can make an informed decision. We would expect commenters to discuss not only storage, but other DERs as well. We also expect the commenters to discuss and consider both Pepco and WGL and their affiliates’ roles in the ownership models," the PSC said

The PSC also directed Pepco to provide a feasibility report for implementing Green Button "Connect My Data" in the District for all customers (including residential customers)

"The Commission also agrees with the recommendation from Arcadia Power that Pepco should implement the entire Green Button Connect platform for residential customers and include this consideration in the reporting requirement," the PSC said

Concerning third-party service provider access to customer data, the PSC rejected a working group's recommendation that the Commission audit third parties’ systems and processes to ensure compliance with Pepco’s cybersecurity standards, "as this is a responsibility of the utility."

The PSC instead said that Pepco should execute NDAs [nondisclosure agreements] with third parties for assurances on security and privacy standards.

Formal Case 1130

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