Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Division requires assistance in providing a comprehensive review and evaluation in the specialized area of Net Power Cost issues. In consultation with the Division, the Consultant will make recommendations to the Commission as to whether the Net Power Costs are prudent, prudently managed and in the public interest. Expected participation in the upcoming cases will include the following annual tasks: Operational Evaluation: Analyze the reasonableness and technical accuracy of RMP’s filed NPC request, evaluate emerging issues, and compare forecasted estimates from the Company’s Aurora and or GRID / Production Cost Models with actual/historical data to validated model accuracy; Perform a comprehensive review of the Company’s NPC estimate and develop recommendations to ensure that an accurate power cost baseline is developed for the Energy Balancing Account (EBA); Analyze special issues that will likely be addressed in the NPC portion of the case, which may include: load forecasting, fuel cost analysis, wind generation capacity factor analysis, outage rates, transmission modeling, heat rate modeling, hydro modeling, power purchase/sales contracts, wheeling expenses, and evaluating accuracy of the Company’s Aurora and or GRID / Production Cost Models; Ascertain whether the actual costs included in the NPC filing were incurred prudently and were in the public interest. Review intervener NPC issues and analyze additional issues raised by RMP or other parties to the case; and Work extensively and coordinate with the Division personnel who are participating in the review and audit of the Company’s NPC. In addition to the above, work assignments may be added through contract amendment to permit future work on electricity rate cases and the analysis of other NPC issues that may be addressed by the Division. Such amendment and addition of tasks will be solely at the discretion of the Division and based upon the performance and expertise of the consultant. The rates charged for any additional work will be the same as listed in the cost sheet. Project Tasks: It is anticipated that the project annual tasks will be as follows: In concert with Division staff and attorney(s) assigned to this case, begin analysis of the application, testimony, and resulting issues; Review key issues as set forth in the scope of work with Division staff and attorney(s) and identify additional significant issues based on review and analysis of Company and intervener materials; Develop discovery questions to obtain information, data, and procedures used by the Company in developing its NPC recommendations; Evaluate responses to discovery requests and follow-up, as necessary...
