1. It’s a Matter of Time: Analyzing the Effects of Dynamic Rate Designs on Low-Income and Senior Electricity Consumers

2. 4.2 Million Smart Meters
By the end of 2018, nearly all ComEd residential customers will have smart meters.
This extends access to dynamic rate options to 70% of Illinois residents.

3. Continuing Dynamic Pricing Investigation
Applying previous RTP analysis to 2017 data, including a TOU analysis
Revised Low Income methodology, Age Cohort analysis

4. Refined Geographic Matching
Using Lat/Long coordinates, matched postal Zip+4 codes with Block Group-level census data
Smallest tabulation level for many census data
Between 600 – 3,000 people

5. Refined Geographic Matching
New methodology allows for more precise demographic estimates
Income (median, income buckets)
Age cohorts
Building stats
Age
Bedrooms
Units

6. Usage Differences – Income
Low income communities use significantly less, with flatter load profiles and higher load factors

7. Rate Design Comparison
2016 – SFNH
Flat-Rate
RTP
TOU - Peak
M-F, 10-7p
TOU - Off-Peak
M-F, 7p-10p
TOU - Super-Off
M-F night, S-S
Fixed
$14.22
$14.61
Delivery (¢/kWh)
3.632
7.12 -
Energy (¢/kWh)
6.98
Market
3.263
2.238
Capacity
3.22 $/kW
3.2 ¢/kWh
Trans. (¢/kWh)
1.34
1.36
3.5
Total Variable
11.952
lmp
13.883
10.383

8. Findings – RTP Significant Savings Opportunity
2017 RTP results confirm 2016 findings, many customers would save vs. flat rate
86-91% of customers save in a 2017 month, vs % in 2016
Fewer savers under TOU, though opportunity is there
52-60% savers in a given month during both years

9. Findings – Income and Demographics
In urban/suburban areas, low-income areas averaged 1% higher total bill savings with RTP, with lower average usage
Likely due to better load shape, lower usage
Areas with higher proportions of elderly averaged slightly higher RTP savings ($8 higher annually for areas with 20% or more 65+)

10. Findings – Flat Rate Price Insurance
Insurance premium in flat-rate energy pricing appears to still be significant in 2017
Usage-weighted premium in 2016 estimated to be 93%
Unweighted flat rate energy down 5%, unweighted LMP up 3%

11. Conclusions
Dynamic Pricing does not appear to hold special risk for low-income or senior populations
TOU carries lower risk/reward for all customers
Flat-rate energy pricing continues to carry significant insurance premium