An Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) involves considering various resources like conventional central station power, renewable energy, distributed energy resources (DER), energy storage systems, and demand-side management (DSM) resources for meeting a utility’s electricity needs. Often, the IRP develops scenarios that minimize environmental impacts, maintain resource diversity, keep rates as low as possible, and minimize risks. PSE works with clients to create an IRP that considers these goals either for purposes of regulatory compliance or for aligning with strategic goals.

Our team’s approach to developing a utility IRP typically includes some or all of the following:

  • Provide strategic guidance on resource portfolio designs that consider trends for portfolios with higher renewable percentages
  • Evaluate regulatory requirements and internal objectives of the utility
  • Identify and consider key resource types and objectives along with likely objectives of various stakeholder groups
  • Perform first round of IRP analysis and create summaries of the analyses. Using a load forecast, develop a wide range of resource portfolios of both central station and distributed resources, conventional and renewable, and demand-side resources
    • Show the impacts of higher renewable standards on wholesale market price volatility and how this exposure is expected to power supply costs
    • Provide guidance on the resource portfolio choices that can hedge against potential market volatility
  • Engage with IRP stakeholders on first round results and gather feedback
  • Develop IRP document with utility and provide to stakeholders for feedback
  • Finalize IRP document

Our Integrated Resource Planning Experts

Richard J. Macke

Vice President Economics, Rates & Business Planning

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