California Grid Data Reliability Order

In October, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission issued a decision addressing the accuracy and timeliness of public grid data from utilities. The grid data portion of the ruling addresses California’s Integration Capacity Analysis (ICA), a model of the electric distribution grid that shows where new energy generation (such as solar energy systems) or load (such as electric vehicle chargers or building electrification upgrades) can be added without the need for costly grid infrastructure upgrades.

The ICA allows developers to determine optimal locations for clean energy projects that will not trigger costly and time-consuming grid upgrades, but California’s public utilities often publish incomplete and inaccurate ICA data. This is particularly problematic for the installation of charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, which can take years to complete and rely on siting where minimal grid upgrades will be required.

Per the Order, the Commission will require a series of public workshops to discuss grid data accuracy issues within the ICA, and for utilities to file a remediation plan to address those issues.