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Workshops and Seminars

Load Research

Load research programs were started at many larger utilities in response to the mandates of Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) and were intended to improve the allocation of costs among rate classes in regulated ratemaking procedures. Interest in load research has increased more recently as a result of expanding hourly wholesale market activity and in response to the challenges of settlement accounting in areas that have moved to full retail competition. Widespread hourly market data provides a new benchmark in assessing the true cost of serving particular load shapes in contrast to the revenue yield from current embedded cost rates. Load shapes are also critical to sound design of demand response and innovative rate-making programs. Advances in metering technology have also brought end use load shape measurement within the realm of commercial viability.

PSE has worked extensively with clients on both ends of the load research spectrum. Some clients have provided us with a history of hourly load research data, which was being collected but not used to its fullest potential. Our competitive assessments based on the data, provided useful market segmentation by revealing the areas where rate yield was not aligned with the hourly market costs of purchasing a given load shape. Solutions could normally be found through creative rate designs. At the other extreme we have assisted clients in identifying their needs for hourly data and in establishing a program to obtain that data at acceptable cost.

PSE staff has the depth of statistical training needed to develop cost effective load research, sample designs, and the familiarity with metering technologies needed to implement and maintain a program.

PSE has recently provided the following load research services to our clients:
  • Scoping studies to assess the needs for and intended uses of load research data.
  • Surveys of client utilities to weigh the trade-offs between cost and precision for load research programs.
  • Pilot programs to improve sample designs and to test alternative metering technologies.
  • Sample designs to produce desired results at the lowest cost.
  • Combined metering and data purchase programs to cover both residential and commercial classes at the lowest cost.
  • Seminars to demonstrate high-valued applications of load research data.
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2000 Engel Street • Madison, WI 53713 • 608.222.8400Madison, WI • Minneapolis, MN • Columbus, OH • Indianapolis, IN