On July 28, 2010, The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) issued a draft Compliance Order to determine how distributed generation (DG) can impact NV Energy’s energy delivery system performance, reliability, distribution operations, and electricity rates. As a result of its significant experience examining DG integration on utility systems in Nevada and the U.S., Navigant was selected by NVE to conduct a study to address the PUCN’s primary objective contained in its Order, summarized in the following question:
‘What is the “maximum amount of DG from renewable energy that can be integrated on the distribution system of the Companies within the existing operating limits?”’
Navigant’s study focused on evaluating the technical and economic impacts of DE on NV Energy’s system and its ratepayers. The study does not address the cost, economics or value of EG from the DE owner’s perspective. Further our investigation focuses on DE installed on NV Energy’s distribution lines (feeders) or customer premises.