FERC's Annual Assessment of Demand Response
and Advanced Metering

On August 8, 2020 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sent to Congress its first Annual “Assessment of Demand Response and Advanced Metering”.   In doing so, FERC was complying with a provision in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) that directed them to determine or address the national penetration of advanced metering, the potential for demand response as a resource in the U.S., the barriers to demand response and other important issues.  Many observers believe that FERC not only addressed these issues but also added considerable new information that will be useful to policy makers and stakeholders trying to better understand demand response from both a policy and business standpoint.

On Tuesday, October 10, 2020 the U.S. Demand Response Coordinating Committee (DRCC) is sponsoring a presentation by the FERC team that authored the report.  They will give an overview of the main findings of the FERC Assessment and the survey and research efforts that supported it,

The Report is based on the first ever federal survey of advanced metering and demand response, which FERC performed to collect information for the report.  The survey collected information on technologies and programs from the majority of utilities and other entities involved in demand response across the U.S.

Using information from the survey as well as information and data from other sources, the new FERC Report provides new insight on the following:

O     Saturation and penetration rate of advanced meters and communications technologies, devices and systems

O     Existing demand response programs and time-based rate programs

O     The annual resource contribution of demand resources

O     The potential for demand response as a quantifiable, reliable resource

O     Steps taken to ensure that, in regional transmission planning and operations, demand resources are provided equitable treatment

O     Regulatory barriers to improved customer participation in demand response, peak reduction and critical period pricing programs

David was the team lead for the Report for FERC and is considered to be lead staff expert at FERC in the area of demand response.  

Chuck was a member of the team that assisted FERC in preparing the Report and he helped analyze the survey data on existing demand response programs. He is one of the nation's leading experts on demand response and has directed a number of national research efforts on demand response in recent years.

Brendan was also a member of the team FERC assembled to produce the report and he provided guidance on the role of demand response in transmission planning and operations. He is a recognized expert on demand response and its application to the transmission and distribution sector.

Along with Chuck and Brendan, Patti was a member of the team that assisted FERC.  She led the survey effort and provided guidance on advance metering.  She is a leading expert on advanced metering infrastructure and demand response.

Dan Delurey

U.S. Demand Response Coordinating Committee (DRCC)