Profitable Energy Planning: Rocky Mountain Institute reveals eight steps to reliable, renewable and least-cost energy systems and corresponding case study

Contact: Cory Lowe, 970-927-7345 o., 970-376-2911 c.

Snowmass CO, March 2, 2009 – Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) today published its Energy and Resource Investment Strategy (ERIS), a breakthrough approach to energy planning. Additionally, the newly launched ERIS website contains a case study exploring how ERIS was successfully applied to RMI’s work with the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU), in California.

RMI’s Energy and Resource Investment Strategy (ERIS), shows utilities and regulators how energy efficiency and other demand-side solutions can compete with conventional energy supply resources to meet consumer energy demands. This advanced resource planning process helps guide energy investment options that are the most sustainable and cost-effective, and provide a viable alternative to large-scale central electricity generation.

According to Kitty Wang, ERIS project manager at RMI: “Utilities today are being directed to look harder than ever at energy efficiency and renewable energy to meet their customers’ electric needs. RMI’s ERIS approach allows a utility to examine these alternatives systematically, including financing and implementation options, to also meet their environmental goals.”

Today, most electric utilities do not adequately consider or value efficiency and other distributed resources in their long-term planning. RMI’s Energy Resources Team points out that in light of new policies and regulation facing utilities, the need for right-sized and low-cost, reliable systems is essential.

The goal of the ERIS process is to integrate all supply-side and demand-side energy resources into a coherent, practical plan that meets goals and optimizes reliability, cost, and security of the electrical system. Eight steps, from defining goals and collecting data to integrated strategy, are described in detail at http://ert.rmi.org/eris/index.html.

Specifically utilizing this process, RMI worked with the city of Palo Alto, CA to develop an integrated utility resource plan. ERIS gave City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) insight into the type and amount of resources needed to meet its needs. Utilizing this step-by-step whole systems approach, RMI achieved the most efficient, reliable, adaptable, risk-adverse and cost-effective electrical system possible for Palo Alto, CA.

You can follow the detailed case study and the successful application of the Energy Resource Investment Strategy at http://ert.rmi.org/eris/index.html.

For more information, or to schedule an interview with RMI’s Energy & Resources Team project manager Kitty Wang or Consultant Luisa Lombera, please contact Cory Lowe at 970-927-7345 office, 970-376-2911 cell, or clowe@rmi.org.