Energy Efficiency Programs for the Municipal Aggregator on Cape Cod
The Cape Light Compact (CLC or Compact) is a municipal aggregator, a joint powers entity (JPE), and the energy efficiency program administrator (PA) for Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The Compact’s mission is to serve its 210,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy, and renewable competitive electricity supply.
Since 2001, Synapse has provided the Compact with on-going technical, regulatory, and policy support. Synapse assists the Compact in preparing material for its energy efficiency plans, annual reports, and energy efficiency surcharge reconciliation filings. This includes the following activities.
- Policy support. Implementing key outcomes of Massachusetts Department of Public Utility (DPU) Orders, developing positions in open dockets, reviewing and drafting written testimony, and providing expert testimony before the DPU in adjudicated proceedings and hearings. Synapse also prepares formal exhibits for filings, based on its technical support and expertise.
- BCA analysis. Synapse modifies, populates, and runs the Compact’s benefit-cost model that screens each energy efficiency measure for cost-effectiveness. Each month we process data from the Compact’s tracking system to develop reports for the Compact, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), and the DPU. We ensure the model accurately reflects avoided cost results from the regional Avoided Energy Supply Cost Study (AESC), and is designed to streamline program modeling for each Program Administrator.
- Cost recovery. Synapse calculates the energy efficiency surcharge the Compact proposes to collect from customers on Eversource’s electric bills to fund their energy efficiency programs. We scrutinize the assumptions supporting this Compact’s expected revenue, including from the System Benefit Charge, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the ISO New England’s capacity market, and any other outside funding. We track the Compact’s historical and planned spending across years, using data from the Compact’s financial software system. We coordinate with Compact staff on forecast assumptions, draft results, and final deliverables. We review sales forecasts and estimate the final rate to be collected on electric bills. We package that material into the exhibits to be submitted to the DPU for approval of the Compact’s rates for each customer sector.
- Rate and bill impact analyses. We calculate the rate and bill impacts from the Compact’s proposed energy efficiency surcharges, estimate customer’s total bill changes associated with fuel switching, and estimate the bill impacts to customers who participate in energy efficiency programs.
- Modeling. We have developed tools, algorithms, and procedures to ensure complete and accurate data processing and reporting. We have developed customized models that allow the Compact to dynamically forecast costs, savings, and benefits from its energy efficiency programs. We appraise each of the Compact’s invoices from vendors and partners to ensure they are recorded correctly to each program and comply with the DPU’s reporting requirements.
- Reports. Synapse authors memos and reports on key issues relevant to the Compact to inform the Compact and stakeholders in their decision-making process.
- Program design. Synapse assists the Compact in program design as needed. This notably includes the development of the Cape and Vineyard Electrification Offering (CVEO), the Compact’s program to deliver heat pumps, solar, and batteries to low- and moderate-income customers at little to no upfront cost within its service territory.
- Statewide coordination. Synapse represents the Compact in stakeholder working groups; attends weekly coordination meetings with the other Massachusetts Program Administrators; and communicates frequently with the Compact’s team of implementers, lawyers, and program experts to ensure cohesive energy efficiency program administration within Massachusetts. This also includes developing and reviewing data templates and models to be used by all Program Administrators for planning and reporting purposes.
In addition to the items mentioned above, Synapse assists the Compact with a myriad of other activities as they arise. In this way, Synapse is an extension of Compact staff, working dynamically as a team.
Much of Synapse’s work for the Compact remains internal to the Compact or is incorporated into exhibits, testimony, and filings that are Compact-branded. Below we provide a few public samples of work that we supported the Compact in preparing.