Joint Technical Conference Before Colorado Public Utilities Commission

General Information

• Date and Time: March 13th, 2025, 12 PM
• Location: Colorado Public Utilities Commission
• Proceedings:
  • 24 A-0442: Public Service Company's Just Transition Solicitation
  • 24 A-0547: Company's Distribution System Plan
• Chair: Eric Blank
• Commissioners: Megan Gilman, Tom Plant

Purpose of the Conference

• To enhance transparency regarding critical forecast models and issues associated with company's filings.
• Facilitate informed advocacy in both cases through discovery testimony and evidentiary hearings.
• Discussed decisions issued on March 7, 2025.

Agenda Categories

1. EVs and Managed Charging
2. Beneficial Electrification
3. Large New Loads (e.g., Data Centers)
4. 8760 Process for Peak Load Forecasts and Load Seer
5. Long-term Residential Customer Rate Analysis
6. Miscellaneous

Key Points from Discussions

EVs and Managed Charging

• Current Enrollments: Around 5,000 in active managed charging, and 10,000 in passive managed charging.
• Forecasting: Manages charging starting at 5% and increasing to 70% by 2050.
• Concerns about peak demand periods and capacity planning.
• The company discusses challenges in altering forecasts due to model limitations and dynamic system updates.

Beneficial Electrification

• Load Shapes: Diverse bases for load shapes, including data from studies and assumptions within DSM plans.
• Modeling Assumptions: Efficiency and capacity of heat pumps, including consideration of ambient temperatures and additional resistance heating.
• Planning and Forecasting: Challenges in aligning planning processes with dynamic forecasts and recent regulatory outcomes.

Large New Loads (Data Centers)

• Load Flexibility: Discussions on potential load flexibility and self-generation options at data centers.
• Economic Impact: Potential rate benefits or challenges from large load additions; issues around economic conditions and incentives.
• Forecast Confidence: 80% confidence in new load projections; considerations for economic conditions affecting forecasts.

Load Seer and 8760 Process

• Modeling Tools: Load Seer as a living model, continually updated with new data but challenging to revert to previous states.
• Distribution Planning: Process involves multiple steps from load forecasting to risk assessment and project development.
• Technical Limitations: Difficulties in modeling alternate load shapes and impacts on investment decisions.

Long-Term Residential Customer Rate Analysis

• Rate Forecasting: Includes considerations for large loads and beneficial electrification.
• Impact on Rates: Analysis of additional loads on system costs and ratepayer benefits.

Challenges and Concerns

• Supply Constraints: Concerns about obtaining critical equipment within needed timelines, such as CTS and Transformers.
• Economic Sensitivity: Uncertainty in forecasts due to potential economic recessions and changing assumptions.
• Regulatory Timing: Aligning regulatory processes and decision-making with industry needs and technological advancements.

Final Remarks

• The company acknowledges the complexity of planning processes and commits to ongoing dialogue and adjustments.
• Commissioners express appreciation for the company's engagement and efforts to clarify complex issues.
• Agreement to continue refining processes to align with state goals and ensure responsible capital spending.