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Regional utilities and NIA outline plan to scale load flexibility as a capacity resource
Summary
A 10-utility NIA/Tacoma collaboration aims to build a portfolio of load-flexibility resources (demand response, DERs, virtual power plants) through pilots, market development and standardized measurement; early estimates show 1–3 GW potential at scale by late 2020s under optimistic adoption scenarios.
Brenda Hunt (LoadFlex/NIA) and Almaz Nagesh (Tacoma Power) presented a coordinated regional strategy to grow load flexibility into a meaningful capacity resource. Tacoma Power emphasized three necessary conditions for success: technical feasibility (the resource must be available when called), economic viability for both utilities and customers, and customer willingness to participate. "It has to be there when you call on it," Almaz said, describing the operational reliability requirement that has hampered some earlier programs.
NIA described a planning exercise that estimated 1–3 GW of flexible load potential from residential space and water heating and commercial HVAC if market adoption and participation targets are met. The regional plan includes field demonstrations, standardized measurement/valuation approaches, product availability efforts and a 2026–2029 strategic/business plan distributed across participating utilities. Panelists noted the solution is complementary to supply-side development: some flexible load can mitigate winter multi-day shortfalls, but long-duration firm energy remains central for the largest events.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 2768, topfinish SEG 3140.
