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California Energy Commission Report Forecasts Electricity Consumption

California Energy Commission adopted its biennial report on state energy issues on Wednesday, covering a range of topics and policy recommendations from energy efficiency of buildings to decarbonizing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Commissioners also approved a $1.5 million grant to UC Berkeley for the development of advanced smart-charging software to address issues caused by the growing number of electric plug-in vehicles on the grid in California.

The California Energy Commission adopted its biennial report on state energy issues on Wednesday; the 2015 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) covers a range of topics and policy recommendations from energy efficiency of buildings to decarbonizing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The report gives a 10-year forecast of projected electricity consumption and demand, finding that projected electricity consumption is expected to be slightly lower than in past years due to less usage and higher predictions for self-generation, such as from photovoltaic systems.

The report also provides a 10-year prediction and updates for “electricity infrastructure in Southern California, the status of California's nuclear plants, and trends in crude oil production and transport,” according to the Energy Commission’s press release.

Also during the commission meeting, the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto was awarded more than $2 million to “research and develop an 'intelligent' thermostat that will bring smart technology to low-income and senior residences that may lack access to the broadband technology those devices often require.”

The commissioners also approved a $1.5 million grant to UC Berkeley for the development of advanced smart-charging software to address issues caused by the growing number of electric plug-in vehicles on the grid in California.