Great pod. I track our CCA (Peninsula Clean Energy) very closely and I learned multiple things in the post.
One comment about AMI/Smart Meters 1.0. The problem with PG&E is not really in the meter technology - the meters provide the data at 15 min intervals - or even in the mesh network - though that may be more problematic. The problem is the back-end processing by the PG&E software.
The next gen Smart Meters have advantages, including supporting more transports to send the data around, but the CPUC should not let PG&E start replacing their first generation Smart Meters until they show they can process the data as fast at reaches their network. As Dawn Weisz points out that routinely takes 3 days.
Gemini AI tells me: Rooftop solar owners do not exploit non-solar utility customers. Studies show that they actually reduce utility costs for everyone. While utilities argue that "cost-shifts" cause solar customers to pay less while others pay more, research indicates that on-site solar panels contribute to lower overall grid costs (from widely distributed generation & storage) benefitting all ratepayers. This "cost-shift" argument is a utility monopoly investor fiction.
We would be wise to follow France by mandating rapid installation of solar canopies on ALL existing parking lots larger than 75 spaces within 5 years, with on-site BESS & Vehicle-2-Grid chargers, located right where most people live & work. This fixes the miss-match (cost-shift) between wealthy property owners and their tenants, who pay the utility bills. The IRA provides generous investment incentives for relatively wealthy owners of large residential & commercial properties to do this. Make them use those incentives! No new utility transmission, site acquisition or other site improvement spending required. Eventually, California CCAs will have to make this happen.
Great pod. I track our CCA (Peninsula Clean Energy) very closely and I learned multiple things in the post.
One comment about AMI/Smart Meters 1.0. The problem with PG&E is not really in the meter technology - the meters provide the data at 15 min intervals - or even in the mesh network - though that may be more problematic. The problem is the back-end processing by the PG&E software.
The next gen Smart Meters have advantages, including supporting more transports to send the data around, but the CPUC should not let PG&E start replacing their first generation Smart Meters until they show they can process the data as fast at reaches their network. As Dawn Weisz points out that routinely takes 3 days.
If you are interested, check the PG&E application for "Billing Modernization". https://pelegri.substack.com/p/that-pg-and-e-meter-to-cash-system
Gemini AI tells me: Rooftop solar owners do not exploit non-solar utility customers. Studies show that they actually reduce utility costs for everyone. While utilities argue that "cost-shifts" cause solar customers to pay less while others pay more, research indicates that on-site solar panels contribute to lower overall grid costs (from widely distributed generation & storage) benefitting all ratepayers. This "cost-shift" argument is a utility monopoly investor fiction.
We would be wise to follow France by mandating rapid installation of solar canopies on ALL existing parking lots larger than 75 spaces within 5 years, with on-site BESS & Vehicle-2-Grid chargers, located right where most people live & work. This fixes the miss-match (cost-shift) between wealthy property owners and their tenants, who pay the utility bills. The IRA provides generous investment incentives for relatively wealthy owners of large residential & commercial properties to do this. Make them use those incentives! No new utility transmission, site acquisition or other site improvement spending required. Eventually, California CCAs will have to make this happen.