The United States Utility Rate Database (URDB) is a storehouse of electric utility rate structures from utilities across the country. It is provided by OpenEI and aims to centralize rate collection for use in tools and models, with data accessible via an API. The database is intended to support detailed economic analysis of distributed energy systems like solar and wind power.
Use Cases
- Modeling the economics of residential solar installations based on utility rate structures.
- Conducting time-of-use analysis for energy cost reduction based on off-peak and on-peak pricing.
- Integrating real-time rate data into energy system simulation software like NREL's System Advisor Model.
- Performing comparative studies of utility pricing schemes across different U.S. regions.
Strengths
- Data is provided in a computer-readable format for direct use in tools and models.
- Includes an API for software to automatically download rates, reducing manual collection time.
- Integrates with established applications like NREL's System Advisor Model, OpenPV, and IMBY.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
- Source
- OpenEI, with data from utilities in the United States.
- Collection Method
- Collected from utilities, likely through a combination of public sources and submissions.
- Time Range
- null
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- United States