MPSC expands review to include "reliability plus" grid features and seeks comment

The Michigan Public Service Commission voted unanimously Aug. 6 to approve an order advancing a "reliability plus" straw proposal that expands a prior reliability-focused docket to examine how the distribution grid can better accommodate distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar, batteries and managed electric vehicle charging. Chair Dan Scripps said the effort aims to "maximize existing investments and support cost-effective additions of aggregated distributed energy resources" so the system can defer or avoid expensive new generation and grid enhancements.

Scripps framed the work as a continuation of prior phases and said the new proposal covers what he called "the future of the grid." He added: "So if phase 1 was fixing the grid, the order in front of us in the straw proposal that that we now see comment on is about the future of the grid." Commissioner Perotek urged the commission to consider tying utility earnings and penalties directly to customer outcomes, arguing that performance incentives and disincentives could both modernize the grid and lower costs for customers. The order advances a comment period and reflects input from utilities and stakeholder groups, including Consumers Energy, DTE Electric Company, Vote Solar and the Union of Concerned Scientists.