Integrated Resource Planning

Integrated Resources Planning

Connecticut General Statutes section 16a-3a requires that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) prepare an Integrated Resource Plan every two years. An Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is comprised of an assessment of the future electric needs and a plan to meet those future needs. It is “integrated” in that it looks at both demand side (conservation, energy efficiency, etc.) resources as well as the more traditional supply side (generation/power plants, transmission lines, etc.) resources in making its recommendations on how best to meet future electric energy needs in the state.

Request for Notices of Interest and Draft Concept Papers for Federal Funding Opportunity: Grid Innovation Program (Section 40103(b))

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. This federal legislation authorized billions of dollars in funding opportunities for energy infrastructure projects, some of which is to be awarded through states. The Grid Innovation Program (GIP), which is outlined in Section 40103(b) of the BIL, is intended to fund projects that improve grid reliability and resilience using advanced technologies and innovative partnerships and approaches. States are eligible to apply for GIP funding, with $1.82 billion in total funding available during the first round of funding and project awards of $250 million, or up to $1 billion for interregional transmission projects.

In the 2020 Integrated Resources Plan and its 2022 Procurement Plan Update, DEEP identified the transmission system as a key impediment to deployment of the region’s offshore wind potential. Accordingly, DEEP has worked to identify solutions to address these concerns. On September 1, 2022, DEEP joined several New England states in issuing a Request for Information on a Regional Transmission Initiative, seeking potential long-term solutions.

The GIP funding opportunity, which is being implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) may further help to expedite the deployment of offshore wind and other clean energy resources. As stated in DEEP’s 2022 Procurement Plan Update, these DOE funding opportunities “have the potential to lower the cost to state ratepayers associated with new transmission investments.”

To assist DEEP in exploring development of a Concept Paper and potential application for the GIP, DEEP requests a Notice of Interest and Draft Concept Paper(s) from any project developers interested in proposing projects for DEEP to consider including as part of a funding application to the GIP. Interested parties are requested to submit a Notice of Interest and Draft Concept Paper(s) by December 23, 2022, at 5 p.m., as outlined in DEEP's Request for Notices of Interest and Draft Concept Papers for Federal Funding Opportunity: Grid Innovation Program (Section 40103(b)).

2022 Procurement Plan Update

On August 31, 2022, DEEP released a 2022 Procurement Plan Update to its Integrated Resources Plan (IRP). This Plan includes a review of contingencies and changed conditions since the 2020 IRP and a revised procurement schedule, including:

A procurement for solar resources to offset, or replace, the contracted capacity losses that have occurred since IRP modeling results were finalized;
Consideration of cost-effective strategies for transmission upgrades to unlock additional offshore wind resources, including in coordination with other states in the region;
A procurement for transmission and distribution-connected front of the meter energy storage based on identified needs; and
A procurement for anaerobic digestion facilities to help address the State’s materials management infrastructure needs.

On October 4, 2022 DEEP issued a Notice of Technical Meeting to discuss the Procurement Plan Update. The Technical Meeting was held virtually on October 19, 2022 at 1 p.m. Please view the presentation and a recording of the meeting for more information.

2020 IRP Cover image of the IRP

This latest IRP marks Connecticut’s first assessment of pathways to achieve a 100 percent zero-carbon electric sector by 2040, as directed by Governor Ned Lamont through his Executive Order No.3 (E.O. 3). Consistent with the Governor’s intent, this IRP focuses in the near term on areas of reform essential to facilitating the transition to a zero-carbon electric sector; to ready the grid with modernized transmission systems; to reform the regional wholesale market; and, to implement and synchronize policies and programs that promote affordability and equity.

2020 Final IRP - Released October 7, 2021

Watch DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes and Julia Dumaine, an economist in DEEP's Office of Energy Supply, give an overview of Integrated Resources Planning and key takeaways and recommendations from DEEP's Final 2020 Integrated Resources Plan:

Download the 2020 Final IRP

Appendix A1 - Factor Inputs and Assumptions

Appendix A2 - MARS Modeling

Appendix A3 - Modeling Results

Appendix A4 - Financial Analysis Results

Appendix A5 - Solar Permitting Fact Sheet

Appendix A6 - Procurement Selections and Pricing

Appendix A7 - Carbon Tax Modeling Results

Appendix A8 - Public Comment Review Report

2020 IRP Glossary of Terms

Additional Background

DEEP initiated the 2020 IRP proceeding with the release of a Notice of Proceedings, Scoping Meeting, and Opportunity for Public Comment in May of 2018 and received stakeholder comment on a preliminary scope. However, since that time, new market and policy developments have occurred including multiple DEEP-conducted competitive procurements for zero carbon resources, the enactment of landmark legislation authorizing DEEP to procure up to 2,000 MW of offshore wind, and on September 3, 2019, Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 3 directing DEEP, in consultation with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority as appropriate, to "analyze pathways and recommend strategies for achieving a 100% zero carbon target for the electric sector by 2040" in the IRP.

These developments warranted a revision to the IRP scope and additional opportunities for stakeholder engagement to ensure that the IRP's analysis and recommendations address current issues of importance for Connecticut's electricity sector. On October 15, 2019, DEEP issued a Notice of Revised Scope, Updated Schedule, and Opportunity for Public Comment which included: