Regulation: Order Adopting Regulatory Policy Framework and Implementation Plan [PDF]
Known as: REV Track One Order
Issued: February 26, 2015, NYS Public Service Commission, Case 14-M-0101
Track One: Defining the REV Ecosystem
Under REV New York State’s six investor-owned utilities are evolving into distributed system platforms (DSP). Track One lays out several major steps to enable this shift. Distributed system implementation plans outline future utility investments as well as opportunities for the market to meet energy system needs with distributed solutions. Additionally, following Track One, utilities obtained approval from the State’s regulatory body, the Public Service Commission, for their energy efficiency plans. Track One further highlights the benefits of non-wires alternatives and REV demonstration projects to achieve REV goals.
Distributed system platforms (DSP) are the foundational network platforms of the electric grid envisioned under REV, enabling market-friendly connections between distributed energy resources (DER), large-scale power generators, customers, and other parts of the energy system. As utilities mature as a DSP, energy and data will flow across the grid in multiple directions to allow storage, microgrids, demand-response technology, and other innovative services to increase efficiency while lowering costs and harmful emissions.
DER solutions will remain primarily a non-utility service provided by the competitive market while utilities as a DSP will integrate DER into the energy system. DSP functions fall into three categories:
- Integrated system planning: analysis and planning for system needs integrating DER
- Reliable grid operations: safe and reliable service with integration of DER
- Market operations: pricing and market settlement for DER
Distributed system implementation plans (DSIP) are the central vehicle for improved utility planning, investment, and operations. Each utility released a DSIP and jointly released a supplemental DSIP to provide the public with information on their DSP plans and system data. See the Order Adopting Distributed System Implementation Plan Guidance [PDF]
Energy efficiency transition implementation plans (ETIP) describe a utility’s energy efficiency program portfolio, budget, and efficiency targets. Each utility updates its ETIP annually.
Non-wires alternative (NWA) projects allow utilities to defer or avoid conventional infrastructure investments by procuring distributed energy resources that lower costs and emissions while maintaining or improving system reliability.
REV demonstration projects (REV Demos) are partnerships between a utility and third-party market actors to develop new business models and to gain experience with DER integration. The Public Service Commission has established Principles for REV Demonstrations. See the Memorandum and Resolution on Demonstration Projects. [PDF]
For further detail on utility plans and demonstrations see Utility Profiles.
This section will review the regulation underlying REV. To learn more about the more than 40 initiatives that comprise REV, read the New York State Energy Plan and visit rev.ny.gov.
