Distributed energy resources and grid modernization at the California Public Utilities Commission

Jillian Anderson (she/her)
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Area of study: PhD Mechanical Engineering, ‘25
Internship: California Public Utilities Commission

Reflections from Jillian Anderson’s  Shultz Fellowship at the California Public Utilities Commission

I have learned a lot as an intern at the California Public Utilities Commission through the Shultz Fellowship Program this summer! The August 10th Voting Meeting will remain an unforgettable experience for me, as it consisted of over six hours of public comments pertaining primarily to the decision to grant additional operating authority to commercial driverless vehicles throughout San Francisco. There was an amazing turnout and a dramatic session that was the culmination of much deliberation and debate over the summer. Although there was a deal of tension attached to this topic, the commission was also able to celebrate resolutions concerning grant programs to address clean energy financing and the digital divide. 

It has been a privilege to observe the inner workings of the Commission and see the behind the scene mechanisms that lead to moments like that Voting Meeting. I enjoyed many different types of meetings during my time. I attended staff meetings with the Commissioners, Ex Parte meetings with various stakeholders, as well as Ratesetting Deliberative Meeting and lunches with other interns. Every interaction broadened my perspective and illuminated my understanding of energy economics and rate-setting decisions. I additionally was very fortunate to be able to do some of this work in a spare office with a great view of City Hall in San Francisco. 

Much of my experience involved sifting through Excel spreadsheets while looking for opportunities to increase the success of distribution deferral opportunities that will help modernize the electric grid. This work lends aid to the High Distributed Energy Resource (DER) proceeding, but many projects are intertwined and there is potential for my contributions to influence the avoided cost calculator and the societal cost test in addition to guiding the next stages of (DER) procurement. I hope that my report will lead to a better valuation of DERs and the adoption of projects that will ultimately reduce California’s reliance on the traditional electricity transmission and distribution system. The incorporation of such resources is crucial for the reliability and resilience of energy in the West.