Dive Brief:

• The California Independent System Operator has laid out a four-part roadmap for bringing more energy efficiency and demand response resources to the state over the next seven years.
• The four areas of focus for the plan include: using incentives to lower peak demand; ensuring enough resources are available at the right places and at the right times; making the best use of all demand and supply resources, which involves the ISO changing existing policies and modifying or developing new market products to expand DR market participation; and, monitoring to make sure the goals are met on time.
• The Cal-ISO, California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission are developing a work plan to boost efficiency and demand response based on the roadmap.

Dive Insight:

“There will come a day in the not-too-distant future when the policies, tools and processes in place will transform the electric grid in California into a highly-sophisticated two-way network in which nearly everyone can contribute to the reliable and efficient management of a greener, electricity grid,” said Steve Berberich, Cal-ISO president and CEO.

California will be watched closely across the country -- and, indeed, the world -- as it paves the path for the transition to a clean and sustainable energy future.