Michael Bell Management Consulting provides a wide variety of specialized management and financial services to electric utilities and local government.
Recent examples include planning and implementation of advanced metering and meter data management systems, economic and financial analysis particularly as it relates to regulatory change, and energy risk management.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure – Smart Grid
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a critical component needed to achieve the benefits of deployment of Smart Grid technology. Energy conservation and efficiency applications could vastly improve the efficient use of transmission and distribution systems. It also enables more efficient use of scarce natural resources in an environment where carbon emissions are of major concern. AMI will also enhance pricing options and improve the customer information and energy management choices.
Examples of work in this area:
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project Development
Anaheim Public Utilities Department – Anaheim, California
Mr. Bell provided project management assistance with the selection of a Meter Data Management System for use in the deployment of the utilities Advanced Metering Project. In addition, he assisted the utility with plans for project implementation including transition planning, customer communications, systems testing and implementation, and long-term deployment. Mr. Bell was the primary point of contact with regard to labor relations issues associated with the project and represented the utility in discussions with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 47 in order to assure the efficient implementation of the Project.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project Implementation
Anaheim Public Utilities Department – Anaheim, California
Mr. Bell is providing continuing advice and assistance to the Anaheim Public Utilities Department as it progresses to successive stages of AMI project implementation.
Meter Data Management System Implementation
Burbank Water and Power – Burbank, California
Mr. Bell assisted with the planning and implementation of Phase 1 development for Burbank Water and Power’s installation of its Meter Data Management System
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project Development
Imperial Irrigation District – Imperial, California
Mr. Bell assisted the Imperial Irrigation District with AMI development plans including identifying major hardware components and software applications, identifying a plan for implementation, a timeline and budget for the implementation of AMI.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project Development
Alameda Municipal Power – Alameda, California
Mr. Bell identified the hardware and software improvements necessary for Alameda Municipal Power to evaluate and implement AMI. He developed a road map including key steps needed in order to implement AMI, and create the information necessary for Alameda Municipal Power to apply for Federal Economic Stimulus Funding for AMI development.
Economic and Financial Analysis
Important strategic decisions are often based upon forecasts of economic and policy conditions. Michael Bell Management Consulting has consistently delivered quality management consulting, financial analysis, and economic forecasts which not only take current economic conditions in to account, but are forward looking in terms of regulatory, policy and emerging trends.
Examples of work in this area:
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) - Glendora, California
Mr. Bell filled in as Interim Chief Financial Officer for SCPPA while the organization recruited a new full time Chief Financial Officer. He was responsible for ensuring that all accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and debt management activities were successfully fulfilled.
South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) Retail Electric Rate Forecast Model
Mintier Harnish - Sacramento, California
Michael Bell Management Consulting was selected by Mintier Harnish to provide an independent peer review of the economic feasibility of SSJID providing retail electric service within its existing District boundaries. Mr. Bell assisted Mintier Harnish with the economic analysis and participated in the development of the Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Plan for consideration by the San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission.
Energy Management and Reliability Study (EMRS)
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) – Los Angeles, California
Mr. Bell assisted MWD staff and consultants with the development of a comprehensive energy management strategy in order to achieve long-term reliable power supply, to protect against energy market price volatility, and to protect against overall cost risks for the operation of MWD’s water distribution system and the Colorado River Aqueduct.
Yolo Annexation Feasibility Study
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) – Sacramento, California
Mr. Bell managed a study to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of annexation of electric service facilities by SMUD in the Cities of West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland and certain areas near and between the cities in Yolo County. The study included an inventory of existing Pacific Gas & Electric Company facilities, a valuation of these facilities, and an analysis of the costs/benefits to customers of a potential change in electric service providers.
Mr. Bell also managed the development of SMUD’s application to provide electric service in Yolo County to the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission.
San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission (SF LAFCO) – San Francisco, California
Mr. Bell led a team of consultants who developed a study which addressed the risks, benefits, and feasibility of various municipal or other public agency options for providing electric and other utility services to the population of the City and County of San Francisco. The study investigated issues associated with rates, reliability, and local control. The team evaluated generation, transmission, and alternative forms of providing energy services from a policy and risk perspective.
San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission (SF LAFCO) – San Francisco, California
Mr. Bell provided an independent review of the City and County of San Francisco’s Request for Information, Request for Proposal and Draft Implementation Plan associated with the implementation of Community Choice Aggregation.
Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District - Sacramento, California
Mr. Bell assisted SMUD with the development and implementation of firm and non-firm OATT rates for high and low voltages. He also assisted with the development of OATT rates for SMUD's portion of the California - Oregon Transmission Project.
Estimates of Power Supply Cost
Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) – Oakland, California
Mr. Bell prepared an economic analysis of projected power supply cost for BART comparing varying power supply scenarios. The analysis included a discussion of state and federal regulatory changes that are likely to affect future energy prices.
Riverside Public Utilities Fiscal Policies
City of Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) – Riverside, California
Mr. Bell is assisting Riverside Public Utilities with the development of guidelines and goals that will guide the financial management of RPU. Policies under review include revenue, debt, investment, risk management, accounting and reporting, budget, and reserves.
Economic Development Rate
City of Lodi Electric – Lodi, California
Mr. Bell was engaged by the City of Lodi Electric Utility to provide a summary of regional economic development rates for utilities in northern and southern California, establish potential parameters for economic development rates in Lodi, and finalize an economic development rate.
Electric System Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2008A
Imperial Irrigation District – Imperial, California
Mr. Bell assisted the District with the issuance of $250,000,000 in Electric System Refunding Bonds. He participated in document development and review, discussions with rating agencies, and interaction with the District’s advisors, attorneys and bankers.
Forecast of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) Retail Rates
Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) – Roseville, California
Mr. Bell has prepared periodic long-term forecasts of PG&E’s retail electric rates for NCPA and its member agencies.
Energy Risk Management
As energy markets have evolved and become more complex and volatile the importance of effectively managing risk has become a critically important. Some of these risks include load variability, cost variability, counterparty risk, energy commodity price volatility, and regulatory/legislative risk. Michael Bell Management Consulting has considerable experience assisting clients with mitigation of these risks.
Examples of work in this area:
Energy Risk Management Policy
Imperial Irrigation District – Imperial, California
Mr. Bell assisted the Imperial Irrigation District with revisions to its Energy Risk Management Policy after the District had experienced substantial losses due to a hedging program that failed to achieve objectives.
Energy Risk Management Policy
City of Pasadena Water and Power Department – Pasadena, California
Mr. Bell reviewed and provided recommendations for revisions to the Energy Risk Management Policy for Pasadena Water and Power.
Energy Risk Management Policy
City of Riverside Public Utilities – Riverside, California
Mr. Bell assisted Riverside Public Utilities with the update of an Energy Risk Management Policy originally established in 2000. The new Policy addresses the business environment Riverside Public Utilities operates in, changes that have taken place in credit markets, as well as recognize the changes that have taken place as a result of implementation of Market Redesign Technology Upgrade standards from the California Independent System Operator.
Wholesale Counterparty Credit Risk Management Services
City of Riverside Public Utilities - Riverside, California
Mr. Bell provided a review of the credit worthiness of existing and new counterparties and made recommendations for credit approval, including credit limits and terms consistent with the City of Riverside's Wholesale Counterparty Risk Management Policy.