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Get NSPM Certified: Conducting Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for Distributed Energy Resources using the National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM)
Event Details
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Awards 1.5 CEUs / 15 PDHs (Click for more info)
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.
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Get NSPM CertifiedTM!
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 (NESP)(TM) and Become NSPM Certified(TM)
When: December 11 and 12, at 8:30-4:30pm in Washington DC (see more information below).
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 is geared towards students who have basic experience and knowledge of conducting benefit-cost analyses (BCA). The course will cover a full range of topics on 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 Certified(TM) 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:
1. Overview of BCA:
- 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
- Use of secondary tests
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
7. Group exercises throughout the 2-day training will include hands on BCA for an example DER use case.
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.
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. Hotel options include: Hampton Inn Washington DC/White House – 4 min walk, Hyatt Place Washington DC/White House – 7 min walk, and Capital Hilton – 7 min walk
Thank you!
Thank You To Our Sponsor
Instructors
Chris Neme
Principal, Energy Futures Group
Chris Neme is a Principal at Energy Futures Group (EFG). During his 30+ years in the industry, Chris has helped clients in 35 states, 7 Canadian provinces and several European countries with a variety of energy efficiency, demand response, strategic electrification and other distributed energy resource programs and policies. He has also critically reviewed state and utility decarbonization studies and plans, supported the development of Clean Heat Standards in several states, developed recommendations for consideration of non-wires and non-pipe alternatives to electric and gas utility distribution system investments, and co-authored and provided technical support on application of the National Standard Practice Manual for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources (NSPM). Chris has filed expert witness testimony on a range of issues in more than 75 cases before thirteen different state and provincial public utility commissions.
Steve Schiller
President, Steven Schiller Consulting
Steve is a professional engineer with senior management, engineering, construction, evaluation, research, training, and project management experience. He is a consultant to public agencies, advisor to private companies, Senior Advisor for LBL’s Electricity Markets and Policy Group, Founder and Board Chair Emeritus of the California Efficiency + Demand Management Council, and advisor and former political appointee on domestic and international efforts associated with incorporating clean energy into GHG mitigation. As the prior owner or senior executive of three engineering, project development and project management firms, he has authored or co-authored many guidance documents for evaluating, measuring, and verifying demand-side energy resources. Steve is also a co-author of the NSPM and is an IEPEC Lifetime Achievement awardee.
David Pudleiner
Energy Engineer, Building Energy Analytics at ICF
David is an energy analytics expert with 10 years of experience. He is the technical lead at ICF on various projects, including Demand Side Management (DSM) potential studies, Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA), building-specific and policy level energy simulation, and custom tool development projects for clients. He has led numerous BCA case study research and reports for NESP applying the NSPM guidance, as well as conducted BCAs for utilities using the NSPM BCA framework. David develops improved analysis methods for load shape development and the utilization of sensitivity and uncertainty analysis within energy efficiency programs and potential estimations. In his current role, David leads analysis for DSM potential studies of multiple utilities across the country. As a leader of NWA assessments, David plays a crucial role in integrating hourly analysis into potential modeling and uses both building energy simulation and advanced metering infrastructure data for precise estimation of hourly resource impacts.