The California Rule 21 Market Opportunity

Course Description/Goals:

This all day in-person workshop hosted by the SunSpec Alliance provides distributed energy business executives, entrepreneurs, and others looking to enter the industry with the foundational understanding of the California Rule 21 opportunity. Topics will include distributed energy market dynamics; market sizing, business models, and competitive barriers; technical details regarding Distributed Energy Resource (DER) data communication and functional requirements; and considerations about how to deploy DER networks in California and across the US. Distributed energy companies can be confident that those holding this certificate of completion possess this highly sought after expertise.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course participants will walk away with a clear understanding of distributed energy market dynamics; market sizing, business models, and competitive barriers; technical details regarding Distributed Energy Resource (DER) data communication and functional requirements; and considerations about how to deploy DER networks in California and across the US. Participants will possess the tools that will allow them to speak authoritatively about CA Rule 21 Phases 1, 2, and 3. Participants who attend all four sessions will be awarded a certificate of completion and a note indicating your participation will be added to your academic record.
 

Course Topics:
Module 1: CA Rule 21 Market Opportunity: U.S. Distributed Energy Resources (DER) market dynamics

Utility grid-tied market
Wholesale market
Relevant regulations
DER functional requirements
Autonomous functions
Interactive functions
Telemetry, scheduling and oversight
Current and anticipated value streams


Module 2: CA Rule 21 Market Opportunity: market segments, business models, competitive barriers

The CA Rule 21 interconnection regulation
Market segments and business models
Technical requirements: Common Smart Inverter Profile & IEEE 2030.5
Barriers and openings


Module 3: CA Rule 21 Market Opportunity: integrating IEEE 2030.5 protocols into DER products

Product types
Design considerations
Client-oriented features
Server-oriented features
Security features
Human factors
Available commercial and open source technologies
Tool choices
Testing and certification


Module 4: CA Rule 21 Market Opportunity: profitably deploying and managing DER networks

Aggregated vs. direct connect: who, what, when, why, how?
Installation considerations
Commissioning considerations
Operations considerations
Cybersecurity considerations
Supply chain considerations
Training considerations