Section 1. Energy storage system pilot projects. Allows a public utility to petition the Public Utilities Commission to recover costs associated with implementation of an energy storage system pilot project.

Section 2.  Definitions. Provides a definition for “energy storage system” within the resource planning statute.

Section 3.  Energy storage systems assessment. Requires investor-owned utilities to include an assessment of energy storage systems in any integrated resource plan or plan modification filed by an investor-owned utility. Provides considerations for the Public Utilities Commission in approving a plan with respect to an energy storage system assessment submitted by an investor-owned utility.

Section 4. Cost-benefit analysis of energy storage systems. Requires the commissioner of commerce to contract with an independent consultant selected through a request for proposal process to produce a report analyzing the potential costs and benefits of energy storage systems. Requires the study to be submitted to the Legislature by December 31, 2019.

Section 5.  Appropriation.  Appropriates $150,000 in fiscal year 2020 from the renewable development account for the energy storage systems cost-benefit analysis in section 4.

CDF/syl