In November 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued an Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) opening a new proceeding to consider Distributed Energy Resource (DER) program cost-effectiveness issues, data use and access, and equipment performance standards (Rulemaking (R.) 22-11-013). The OIR noted that the process would be conducted in two phases. An initial Phase 1 would comprise of two tracks: Track 1- Cost-effectiveness and Track 2- Expanding Data Use and Access; while Phase 2 would continue with a focus on Equipment Performance Standards for equipment that receives ratepayer funding.

In May 2023, the Assigned Commissioner’s Scoping Memorandum and Ruling (Scoping Ruling) designated Phase 1, Track 2 to examine the rules and requirements related to data access to facilitate adoption, evaluation, and utilization of DERs by customers and other entities, as well as improving DER integration with the grid.1 The Scoping Ruling also established the Data Working Group (DWG) to collect information necessary to inform Track 2, including stakeholder recommendations on distributed energy resource (DER) data access, coordination, and utilization.

From August 2024 to May 2025, stakeholders in the DWG were invited to participate in a series of nine virtual meetings. The meetings included presentations by subject matter experts from CPUC staff, the California Energy Commission (CEC), California Independent System Operator (CAISO), Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs), Regional Energy Networks (RENs), non-profits, thirdparty implementers, academic researchers, and Tribal and local governments. Each meeting also included facilitated discussion periods. Stakeholders also submitted proposed use-cases online, after which stakeholders submitted two rounds of written comment to provide additional feedback.

The purpose of the DWG was to identify DER data access issues and explore potential solutions. The DWG facilitated a detailed dialogue across the diverse group of stakeholders, aiming to build consensus around approaches that were both in the public interest and delivered benefits to ratepayers. Some of the solutions proposed included changes to public data products and tools, expansion and standardization of data collection processes, and refinement of existing data sharing mechanisms and programs.