ERT Representative Projects

RMI developed an approach for defining the future value of offsetting GHG emissions as part of the California PUC’s avoided cost methodology for DSM programs. This valuation was defined as future cost values (albeit uncertain), rather than externalities, and was accepted as such by the CPUC. In an April 2005 decision, the CPUC adopted the values suggested by this method for long-term utility resource planning and procurement decisions, and two other western states have since adopted GHG cost “adders” based on these same values.

RMI helped CPAU implement energy resource and portfolio planning. RMI reviewed the current electric resource plan, designed economic criteria for efficiency programs, prioritized efficiency program strategies, and evaluated the potential for local energy resources. These options included energy efficiency, renewable sources, distributed co-generation, and conventional generation. RMI helped to integrate supply- and options into risk-managed, least-cost portfolios with a high intensity of renewable resources.

RMI developed an Energy Resource Investment Strategy for the City of San Francisco. The first phase of this effort involved a technology assessment and scenario analysis of alternative energy futures to support the City’s electricity resource plan. RMI also prioritized the implementation of energy efficiency opportunities, demand response, renewable energy, distributed generation, and transmission and distribution solutions to meet the City’s needs for reliable, economic power. For more information, see: RMI Solutions, summer 2004.

RMI provided the financial clients of Credit Lyonnais with briefings regarding the financial and shareholder implications of corporate carbon management strategies.

In a series of confidential assignments for the boards and senior management of some of the world’s largest oil and natural resource companies, RMI provided a strategic overview of energy trends and implications for the core oil, gas, and coal businesses. For more information, see: RMI Solutions, summer 2003.

RMI helped this technology leader address its GHG emissions. RMI evaluated emissions sources and recommended offset methods. The initial offset purchase corresponds to eight years’ worth of emissions from specific operational carbon sources. RMI’s long-term guidance included investments in direct emissions reductions, such as carbon-free energy sources and improved end-use energy efficiency. For more information, see: RMI Solutions, summer 2006.

RMI assisted Great Plains Energy (GPE) with the development of the business case for demand response and distributed generation programs with commercial and residential customers of Kansas City Power & Light Company. RMI evaluated the available technologies and products, reviewed a range of proposed program designs, prioritized the programs in terms of potential impact, and analyzed the customer cash-flows and utility economics of a portfolio of programs.

RMI staff provided technical and financial analysis as well as research and analytical support to Invensys’s Intelligent Home Controls division to develop the business case for the GoodWatts system. GoodWatts is a residential load-management technology that provides reliable electric capacity savings in response to curtailment signals or utility price variations throughout the day.

RMI is part of a multi-year, multi-utility effort to pilot and evaluate the performance and economics of the Automated Demand Response System (ADRS), a residential price response program in California using advanced load-management technology. The technology is an always-on residential load-management system capable of reliably controlling air conditioning, pool pumps, and other major loads in the home in response to price variations. The utilities involved included: Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Invensys Intelligent Home Controls. For more information, see: RMI Solutions, summer 2004.

RMI consultants evaluated Nevada Power Company’s available technologies and products for demand response for its commercial and residential customers in Las Vegas, and we helped the utility to better understand the types of load management programs that would work for the company. RMI assisted the company in defining the scope and design of programs for its commercial and residential customers, involving both load response and price response using time-varying critical peak-pricing rates.

RMI helped SMUD identify its risk exposure based on its GHG emissions. RMI then developed a GHG management strategy that will allow SMUD to minimize its exposure to future physical and regulatory risks in California and position itself for possible future financial benefits. These options focused heavily on distributed resources in the SMUD service territory that would enhance SMUD’s Integrated Resource Plan.

For the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment, RMI conducted a ground-breaking study on the technologies that could radically reduce U.S. oil dependence and concomitant policies necessary to accelerate business adoption. This study, Winning the Oil Endgame: Innovation for Profits, Jobs, and Security (www.oilendgame.com), has been broadly influential on the business community as well as federal and state policymakers.