Integrated Resource Planning

Times have changed - has your modeling kept pace?

The new market dynamics require new models and services to manage increasing uncertainty and variability. Ascend brings decades of industry experience in Integrated Resource Planning. PowerSIMM provides best-in-class analysis to accurately model the incorporation of more renewables, flexible generation, energy-limited storage resources and load flexibility.

Integrated Resource Planning

Power system models with simulated weather that jointly drives load, renewables & prices to maintain reliable and realistic simulations.
Comprehensive planning for reliable systems with capacity to meet peak load through simulated weather, outages, and renewable output in easy-to-interpret reliability planning metrics.
Accurate analysis to determine flexible capacity requirements for power systems with high levels of variable renewable energy.
Realistically capture the uncertainty inherent in daily operations by simulating imperfect foresight in generation optimization.
Stochastic modeling approach captures the uncertainty in emerging market dynamics in a meaningful way.

Ascend works with utilities throughout the US to develop innovative resource plans that balance the need to add renewables with corresponding integration technologies such as batteries, including insight into sub-hourly operations.

Ascend's Flexible Planning Approach

Our models, insights and experts will customize your energy portfolio to meet your business objectives and to establish a balanced, forward-looking energy resource mix.

Unique Modeling Capabilities

Partnering with Ascend's consultants means access to our advanced modeling capabilities, including:

Capturing the relationship between weather and volatility in renewable generation loads & energy prices
Calculating reliability and flexibility metrics with simulated weather & outages

Finding the least-cost path to comply with RPS and GHG requirements
Incorporating the effects of energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and demand response programs into resource plans

Performing capacity expansion studies with automated resource selection under uncertainty
Planning for NERC RBC and CPS-2 compliance by balancing renewables with flexible resources using minutely-level data

Additional Services Offered

Reliability planning expert testimony
Analysis for defensible resource retirement decisions and optimal replacement portfolios
Facilitation of stakeholder workshops

Avoided cost studies for regulatory proceedings
Request for proposal implementation and evaluation for power resources, including DERs

Long-term fundamentals-based forecasts for power prices, including sub-hourly prices.
Development of Integrated Resource Plans from end to end

Case Studies

Ascend charts a course for 100% renewables in Hawaii

On July 14, 2017, after multiple attempts and much stakeholder input, the Hawaiian Public Utilities Commission accepted HECO's Ascend-advised PSIP. According to Todd Kanja, System Planning General Manager at HECO, this success,"...certainly could not have [been] achieved... without the efforts and contributions from the team at Ascend."

Ascend establishes industry best practices in NorthWestern Hydros acquisition

Ascend established "industry best practices" in NorthWestern's resource plan, providing detailed modeling, writing, and expert testimony at the Public Service Commission proceeding in the Montana SupremeCourt.

Ascend provides Riverside with decision framework for Integrated Resources Plan

Ascend examined an important planning challenge, including resource adequacy needs, RPS mandates, carbon emission goals, and risk metric objectives in Riverside's Integrated Resource Plan.

Ascend helps Duke Energy prepare for an influx of renewables

Duke relies on Ascend to help determine the net benefits of new renewable projects and resource mixes within a large portfolio.

Flexibility and Reliability Requirements for LADWP

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power uses Ascend'sPowerFlex tool to determine how additional renewable capacity will impact their flexibility and reliability requirements.

To join or not to join? Ascend quantifies the benefits of joining the EIM for TID

Ascend simulated Turlock Irrigation District's (TID) system at the minutely level to quantify the net benefits of joining CAISO's Energy Imbalance Market, leading to TID joining the EIM.

Integrated Resource Planning

Times have changed - has your modeling kept pace?