Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Significant load growth from data centers, industrial loads, and customer technology adoption is driving increased attention to solutions, such as demand flexibility (DF), that can enable new loads while managing existing capacity constraints. A growing body of literature has examined the potential and value of DF to meet grid and customer needs, as well as the associated reliability and affordability benefits. However, the implementation of DF and grid-edge resources (GER) programs can face a range of challenges and barriers. This study provides an up-to-date analysis of issues affecting DF and GERs identified in recent utility regulatory filings across a sample of U.S. jurisdictions (California, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Wisconsin). LBNL performed a systematic review of regulatory proceedings and other state actions related to DF and GERs to identify utility, commission, or state issues affecting implementation. The analysis identified three categories to characterize DF and GER issues affecting implementation: (1) grid planning; (2) utility rates and programs; and (3) GER integration, operations, and markets. Each category is expanded to include additional topics found and illustrative examples from the sample of proceedings analyzed. This research provides regulators, utilities, state energy offices, program administrators, and other industry stakeholders with an up-to-date perspective on actions that can support scaling, including research and demonstration, stakeholder collaboration, and technical analysis and assistance.