Cal Advocates questions Guidehouse study amid PG&E's circuit forecast discussion

During a recent meeting of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), discussions centered on the 2025 Distribution Forecasting Working Group, highlighting key strategies for managing electric vehicle (EV) charging and infrastructure. Mohammed Dehim emphasized the importance of Time-of-Use (TOU) rates and managed charging as essential components in the evolving landscape of energy consumption, particularly as more public charging stations are anticipated to be utilized during daytime hours.

The meeting also addressed the use of the Guidehouse study, which was clarified by Chris, who stated that the study was utilized solely for disaggregating the Integrated Planning and Energy Resource (IPER) forecast, rather than replacing it. This distinction is crucial for understanding how forecasts are developed and the methodologies behind them. There was a query regarding the public availability of the Guidehouse study, to which Chris responded that it is currently not public but that they would explore the possibility of sharing its high-level methodology.

Additionally, the group discussed the importance of validating their forecasts against actual installations from previous years. While Chris acknowledged that this backtesting had not yet been conducted, he recognized it as a valuable area for improvement. Ari from Southern California Edison (SCE) pointed out the potential costs associated with such studies, suggesting that affordability should be a consideration when evaluating the benefits of retrospective analyses.

The meeting concluded with a review of slides that remained unchanged from previous years, ensuring that participants were aware of the ongoing discussions and data relevant to California's energy future. As the state moves towards a more sustainable energy model, these discussions are vital for ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with the growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.