National Assessment & Action Plan on Demand Response - 2010 National Action Plan

The DRIVE Model

The Demand Response Impact and Value Estimation (DRIVE) model is designed to estimate the impact of a portfolio of demand response and smart grid programs on system operations, using specific characteristics of a power system as inputs.

The DRIVE model was developed by the Brattle Group, based on requirements identified by the FERC staff. The model serves as an example of the type of tool that could be created through the efforts of the National Action Plan on Demand Response. The model is based on a simple spreadsheet platform, and the model and information contained within, are not copyrighted. As such the model may be shared and revised without restriction.

The model is pre-populated with a comprehensive set of data inputs for 13 regions of the U.S. However, the model user can override any or all of these inputs to produce fully customized model runs.

The DRIVE model provides insights into how demand response programs may impact various elements such as load shapes, peak demand, marginal energy prices, capacity additions, plant utilization and dispatch, CO2 emissions, and total system costs. However, the model is intended to serve only as a general screening tool and not to replace sophisticated planning models. Therefore, the Commission staff does not recommend that users rely solely on the DRIVE model results to make important public policies or private sector decisions.