The California Energy Commission is pressing ahead to roll out a new online reporting system for the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, and could launch it by the end of 2016.
The database is used to verify that utility companies are complying with the state’s renewable energy targets. Publicly owned utilities and retail sellers in California will be required to procure 50 percent of their electricity from eligible renewable energy resources by 2030.
The reporting system certifies renewable facilities as eligible, verifies renewable energy output is counted only once, monitors compliance and more.
The new RPS system will implement modern security features, a centralized and expandable database, application and review workflows, and online self-service features. During a webinar Thursday demoing the online solution, Energy Commission staff said the system also will offer real-time information to users, end the need for Excel spreadsheets, and feature searchable data the public can access.
System testing is currently underway and will continue through October, the commission said. Design and development for the $2.6 million project began in summer 2014. The California Energy Commission approved a $2 million contract with Trinity Technology Group for the project in 2015.
The commission expects the new online system will reduce the amount of time it takes its staff to process RPS verifications and certifications. The old system relies on manual workflows and siloed databases.
System testing is currently underway and will continue through October, the commission said. The commission hopes to launch the new online system by the end of 2016, coinciding with the release of a new guidebook for the industry.
The RPS program originally started in 2002. In the years since, state legislation has gradually raised the program's renewable energy targets.
