Does Integrated Resource Planning Effectively Integrate Demand-Side Resources?

We analyze how demand-side resources are evaluated in integrated resource plans, and if current practices accommodate the role that flexible demand-side resources will play in an increasingly electrified future.

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Date

Dec. 11, 2018

Authors

Jake Duncan and Dallas Burtraw

Publication

Report

Reading time

1 minute

Key findings

Eight integrated resource plans reveal methodological barriers to full consideration of demand-side resources.
Cost-effectiveness screening does not capture the value of flexible demand-side resources.
Load forecast is treated parametrically rather than representing the integration of supply availability and demand-side activity.
Demand-side investments differ from supply side investments due to different risk profiles and capital costs.

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Topics

Authors

Jake Duncan

Dallas Burtraw

Darius Gaskins Senior Fellow

Dallas Burtraw is the Darius Gaskins Senior Fellow at RFF. Burtraw’s research includes analysis of the distributional and regional consequences of climate policy and the evolution of electricity markets, including renewables integration.

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