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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) worked closely with Smart Grid Investment Grant (SGIG) Program and the Smart Grid Demonstration Program (SGDP) recipients to assess the impact and benefits of the technologies, tools, and techniques being deployed. The recipients from each program were subject to somewhat different reporting requirements. For example, SGIG recipients were expected to report both build and impact metrics to DOE from which benefits were estimated. SGDP recipients also report build metrics; however, instead of reporting impact metrics, they provide interim and final Technology Performance Reports describing the performance of demonstration technologies as well as their grid impacts based upon the application of the analytical framework or comparable methodologies.

DOE developed detailed instructions for the SGIG and SGDP recipients on the types of smart grid and related data that they project leaders are required to collect and report.

Learn more about each of the metric areas:

Build Metrics

Build metrics measure progress toward the deployment of smart grid assets. Build metrics include, for example, reports from recipients on the number of smart meters installed, the number of substation automated, and the number of time-based rate programs offered.

Recipients were required to report their build metric data quarterly. DOE tracked key build metrics, compiled across all projects, which reflect the build-out of the Smart Grid in key areas, including the following:

  • The number of smart meters in operation
  • The number of distribution circuits that have automated equipment
  • The portion of the transmission system that have synchrophasors
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Impact Metrics

Impact metrics measure how, and to what extent, these smart grid assets are affecting grid operations and performance, as well as how they are enabling customer programs and behavior changes. Impact metrics include, for example, reports from recipients on the magnitude of peak demand reductions, the number of truck rolls reduced, and the amount of maintenance cost avoided as a result of the project's smart grid activities.

The impacts seen in the SGDP projects are reported in Technology Performance Reports (TPRs), which recipients prepare and report to DOE on a frequency particular to each project. The interim and final TPRs are available on the following pages:

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Analysis Guidance for SGIG and SGDP Projects

In addition to the Guidebook for ARRA Smart Grid Program Metrics and Benefits (PDF), DOE developed a series of guidance documents on methodologies for selected topics of interest. These additional materials were also provided to assist project leaders in reporting data and information to DOE.

Additional Guidance for both SGIG and SGDP Projects

Additional Guidance for SGIG Projects

Additional Guidance for SGDP Projects

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Stakeholder Engagement

DOE worked with stakeholder organizations from across the electric power industry to refine methodologies and improve the usefulness of the analyses. Specific areas of engagement with stakeholders include:

  • Advancing the analytical framework to support business case analysis,
  • Addressing key analytical requirements to focus the DOE analyses,
  • Sharing lessons learned, and
  • Working through data collection and analysis issues for both SGIG and SGDP projects.

Stakeholder organizations contributing to this effort include:

  • The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and state commissioners and staffers.
  • The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and its members and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
  • The American Public Power Association (APPA) and its members.
  • The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the Cooperative Research Network, and its members.
  • The North American Synchrophasor Initiative (NASPI) and its members.
  • The National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), its members, and other consumer advocate organizations.
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Projects

The location, information, and data for each smart grid project are provided in this section.
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Publications

These reports include analysis, impacts, lessons learned, best practices, analytical tools, and case studies that were supported by the Recovery Act Smart Grid Programs.
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The Department of Energy's Office of Electricity (OE) recognizes that our nation's sustained economic prosperity, quality of life, and global competitiveness depends on an abundance of secure, reliable, and affordable energy resources. OE leads the Department of Energy's efforts to ensure a resilient, and flexible electricity system in the United States. Learn more about OE >>

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