Texas Staff Says CenterPoint-TDU Storage Proposal Should Not Be Addressed In Rate Case
April 29,2019
Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas said that a proposal to own energy storage from CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (CEHE), included as part of its newly filed electric rate case, should not be included as an issue to be addressed in the case
EnergyChoiceMatters.com had first reported that CEHE in the rate case had requested (1) the authority to install voltage smoothing battery systems, when necessary and cost-effective, for voltage regulation purposes and (2) to include the cost of the systems in rate base as depreciated
Staff noted that the use of battery storage is currently being discussed by the Legislature. "To the extent that the inclusion of the issue within this litigated
case would limit the Commission's ability to participate or comment on such legislation, Staff
recommends that the issue be listed as an issue not to be addressed," Staff said
The Alliance for Retail Market and generator also opposed inclusion of the storage proposal as an issue in the rate case
Texas Competitive Power Advocates (TCPA) stated that, "if
the Commission decides that it can grant CenterPoint Energy the relief it requests, parameters will
need to be set on CenterPoint Energy's investment in battery assets that could impact all TDUs
and power generators. Accordingly, answering CenterPoint Energy' s battery ownership question
in this ratemaking proceeding is not the proper forum to determine the future of ownership of
battery assets in ERCOT."