In a previous blogpost, MCE introduced NavigaDER, a new software designed to enable Community Choice Agencies (CCAs) to make informed decisions about strategic distributed energy resource (DER) program planning. In this article, we explain how the software conducts its optimization analysis to project the impacts of DER program scenarios.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
NavigaDER calculates emissions impacts by comparing emissions from a typical load curve to a load curve that was modified by a set of modeled DERs. For example, the typical emissions associated with energy purchased between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. is then compared to the same purchasing timeline with a DER program simulation in place. These assessments use an hourly accounting methodology, which will be used in NavigaDER until California adopts a universal emissions accounting framework. This methodology uses standard reference tables with multipliers for every hour of a month to account for greenhouse gas emissions from grid power content. The reference tables provide an estimate of the grid emissions for any location in California, at any hour of the day.
Resource Adequacy Costs
NavigaDER calculates the current system resource adequacy (RA) requirements, the monthly system peak load, and the hours when the peaks occur. For battery storage simulations, the software analyzes customer load during these hours and creates a battery cycling strategy that targets discharging during peak hours. In this simulation, battery-stored power is discharged during peak hours and reduces the customer load during these system peaks, thus reducing the CCA’s local and system RA requirements.
Net Energy Metering (NEM) Payouts
By analyzing customer load profiles, NavigaDER can determine which net energy metering (NEM) customers have the highest potential for reducing solar cash-out values. The software identifies customers that have enough excess solar generation to charge batteries, which can be discharged to offset the customer’s load during peak hours (4–9 p.m.). Then, the software simulates these systems to help CCAs reduce peak demand and NEM cash-outs, as well as to ensure increased access to solar energy.
Impact on the Generation Component of Customer Bills
NavigaDER can approximate a technology’s impact on the generation component of a customer’s electric bills. For battery energy storage scenarios, NavigaDER optimizes battery use by adjusting performance based on demand charges, time-of-use rate, and battery tariff structures. These bill impacts can also be aggregated to determine the revenue impact for CCAs. This tool allows assessments only on the generation side of the bill. For a full-bill assessment, additional assessments are needed by the user to determine the impact on the transmission and distribution component.
Wholesale Procurement Costs
NavigaDER assesses opportunities for DER programs to reduce a CCA’s procurement costs. The tool calculates how a program impacts electricity purchases, helping CCAs model the increase or decrease in electric usage to adjust procurement strategies.
MCE’s solar plus storage resiliency program shows how you can apply NavigaDER to distributed energy. To learn more, sign up for our webinar on October 30 hosted by CalCCA.
MCE received a grant from the California Energy Commission to develop NavigaDER. The tool was developed in partnership with TerraVerde Energy and The Climate Center.
