Smart Grid Metrics

Background

In 2010, the CPUC began the process establishing goals and metrics to guide all stakeholders in a common policy direction and measure the performance of deployed Smart Grid technologies.

In March 2012, the CPUC issued a Proposed Decision adopting metrics to measure the deployments of PG&E, SCE and SDG&E. Specifically, the PD ordered the creation of technical working groups to address: 1) updates or revisions to metrics adopted; 2) creation metrics related to cyber-security; 3) creation of metrics related to environmental benefits; and 4) creation of broad goals to focus all stakeholders on a common vision.

DRA's Policy Position

DRA generally supports the Proposed Decision’s metrics, review process, and formation of Technical Working Groups. However, DRA recommended:

The cyber-security Technical Working Group should be limited to

considering cyber-security metrics, and its mandate should not be expanded

to include cyber-security policies and protocols.

This proceeding should also determine the extent of CPUC oversight over cyber-security, and to direct the cyber-security Technical Working Group to develop cybersecurity policies and protocols.

• See DRA’s comments filed April 16, 2012.

Current Proceeding

On April 19, 2012 the CPUC approved a decision adopting metrics to measure the smart grid deployments of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E.

See the proceeding docket.

Other Resources

• DRA presentation: Personal Privacy and the Smart Grid
• CPUC's California Smart Grid page
• Electronic Frontier Foundation's work on Smart Grid privacy
• Center for Democracy and Technology's Smart Grid page
• EEnergy Informer (July 2011): "Time Has Arrived for Time Variant Pricing, But What Kind?"