MidAmerican Energy Company Application for New Solar PV Project
Synapse provided technical assistance to the Sierra Club, Environmental Law and Policy Center, and Iowa Environmental Council—collectively the Environmental Intervenors—in MidAmerican Energy Company’s (MidAmerican) application for Advanced Ratemaking treatment for the Solar Reliability Project. Synapse evaluated whether the Solar Project was supported by the modeling that the Company conducted both for the Resource Evaluation Study (RES) and its updated modeling in the present docket. Synapse also evaluated whether the Solar Project was supported by the Environmental Intervenors’ independent modeling. In addition, Synapse reviewed the reasonableness of the terms in the application, with a focus on the size and cost cap proposed.
Synapse found that the 800 MW of solar PV proposed by MidAmerican aligned with the results from both its modeling and the Environmental Intervenors’ independent modeling. Synapse also found that the project cap of 800 MW was potentially too low, as it is possible that more than 800 MW of cost-effective solar PV could be economically available in the next five years in Iowa. Furthermore, Synapse found that MidAmerican's modeling showed that at least 120 MW of battery storage was economic, yet this was not included in the application. Synapse outlined ways for MidAmerican to improve its resource planning process used to support its application in this docket. Synapse also provided support for most elements of MidAmerican’s proposed project cost cap.
Synapse recommended that the Commission approve advance ratemaking principles for the Solar Project. Synapse further recommended that MidAmerican not limit itself to the 800 MW of solar proposed here and instead explore ways to procure additional solar PV and battery storage resources. Synapse also recommended improvements to the Company’s resource planning process and recommended that the proposed cost cap be accepted with one modification.