Title
Electricity Grid Research Presentation
Recommended Action
I move that the Board of Public Utilities approve the Department’s participation in the UNM Department of Economics research project as presented and outlined in the agenda documents.
Utilities Manager Recommendation
After County Attorney review of the research project, Staff recommends the board approve the department’s participation in the research project.
Body
At the June 15th regular session of the BPU, EPSCoR and NM SMART Grid Center presented on a potential partnership opportunity regarding AMI metered data and consumer information. Further discussion with the attorney’s office was needed before proceeding with the project. Those discussions have concluded, and staff feels confident in returning with this presentation for board consideration. The original staff report from the June 15th session is below.
University of New Mexico Department of Economics, EPSCoR and NM SMART Grid Center will be giving a presentation on a potential partnership opportunity. The following researchers will be presenting and soliciting BPU & DPU support for "Smart Meters and Household Characteristics: Estimating load profiles and changes in consumption behavior”:
Jesse Kaczmarski, Ph.D. Candidate of Economics, UNM
Dr. Janie Chermak, Professor of Economics, UNM
Dr. Yuting Yang, Assistant Professor of Economics, UNM
Dr. Selena Connealy, Associate Director of NM EPSCoR
The research aims to develop improved estimates of customer electricity demand for intra-day, week, month, and season, the research team would like to partner with DPU and solicit information from customers. Data collected at the household-level will be linked to electric consumption data provided by the department, along with weather data. This will provide a rich, micro-level dataset to be used to develop consumption models for customer types and an improved understanding of the consumption patterns. This information could allow for better load forecasting and improving reliability in the electric utility. In addition, information gathered in this research project could potentially be used for conservation efforts and goals. Information that the team will be seeking from DPU customers will cover dwelling characteristics, appliance characteristics, and socio-economic factors. The survey would be designed and administered through the UNM Department of Economics, with any additions that DPU would like to add.
DPU took part in this research in 2019, providing only electric consumption data for customers on circuit 16. This data covered a select number of accounts from 2013 to 2019. This survey would add to the previous research that has been conducted thus far.
Alternatives
If the board does not approve participation, the department will not move forward with this project and will not have access to the information that is collected.
Fiscal and Staff Impact
None.
Attachments
A - Smart Meters and Household Characteristics Slides