In-person Training
on Conducting Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for
Distributed
Energy Resources using the National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM)
Join AESP and
the AESP Mid-Atlantic Region Chapter (MARCh),
along with the National Energy
Screening Project (NESPTM) and Become NSPM CertifiedTM
Description: This in-person course is for utilities,
consultants, regulators, consumer advocates and others involved in planning,
assessing and/or evaluating investments in distributed energy resources (DERs). The training will cover a full range of topics
on benefit-cost analysis (BCA) – also referred to as “cost-effectiveness
testing – of both single and multiple DER investments, where DERs include energy
efficiency, demand response, distributed storage and solar, and building and
transportation electrification. Attendees will delve into practical application
of key concepts in BCA using the National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM) and
supporting NSPM resources developed by the National Energy Screening Project (NESP).
Course Objectives: Attendees who complete this course will leave with a solid foundation of
BCA core principles, an understanding of how BCA fits within a broader
regulatory decision-making framework, and hands-on experience delving into
hypothetical BCA exercises for example DER use cases. Attendees that pass the
post-training exam (by 80% or more) will earn the NSPM CertifiedTM credential
will be well positioned to apply NSPM guidance to their work, and to
differentiate themselves from other practitioners as jurisdictions increasingly
reference and use the NSPM to guide DER evaluations.
Training Topics. The training will involve presentation materials and hands-on interactive group exercises and examples on the full range of the topics below:
·
BCA
principles and framework
·
Consistency
application of the same test for all DERs and use cases.
·
Cost-effectiveness
testing perspectives
·
BCA
vs rate impact, distributional equity and other analyses
·
Applicability
of BCA across different regulatory contexts
2. BCA impacts and value streams for
different DER types:
·
Cost
and benefit impacts - differences in impacts across DER types and use cases
including applicability and materiality
·
Distinguishing
between reliability vs resilience vs risk impacts
3. Developing or designing a primary BCA
test:
·
NSPM
5-step process to develop a primary test
·
Aligning
BCA with policy goals/objectives
4. Key input and application parameters
·
Selecting
a discount rate
·
BCA
assessment level options
·
Treatment
of transfer payments in BCA
·
Addressing
geographic boundaries
5. Steps to quantifying BCA utility and
non-utility system impacts
6. Presenting and interpreting BCA results
Location: This event is being hosted by ICF at its office located at 1727 I St
NW, Washington, DC 20006. Light
breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Instructors: The course will be taught by instructors Chris Neme (Energy Futures
Group), Steve Schiller (Schiller Consulting), and David Pudleiner (ICF), who
collectively are co-authors of the NSPM and experts who provide technical
assistance to energy regulators, utilities and other stakeholders on BCA and a
range of DER evaluation and planning topics. Instructor bios are provided
below.
Price: Member fee is $1,495 or 15 group points. Non-member fee is $1,599.
*Attendees must earn an 70% or higher on the final course test in order to earn 1.5 CEUs.
Cancellations received no later than 14 days prior to the training date will receive a refund, minus a 5% processing fee if paid with a credit card. Cancellations received after the cutoff date and no-shows will not receive a refund (cash or points). AESP reserves the right to cancel a training course at any time with reasonable notice given to all participants.
AESP is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). AESP complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, AESP is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. AESP instructors disclose in advance that they have no interest in any product, service, or material discussed during the course. This information is stated orally and in the training course handbook.
