Become NSPM CertifiedTM

NESP offers a 2-day in-person training course on Conducting Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for Distributed Energy Resources using the National Standard Practice ManualTM (NSPM).

Certification trainings are available throughout North America in partnership with AESP and local host organizations.

See NESP Events for
upcoming trainings.
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What Attendees are Saying

“I’m thrilled to share that I am now NSPM Certified™! […] a significant milestone in my professional journey. I’m excited to apply these new insights and continue driving impactful results!”
– Abhishek Jain (ICF), NSPM Certified (comment via LinkedIn)

“I’m so happy to share that I’ve earned my NSPM Certified™ Certification from the National Energy Screening Project and AESP. […] The NSPM framework empowers utilities, regulators, and other stakeholders to develop a jurisdiction-specific test that centers on local policy and reflects the full value of DER investments.”
– Jesse Hitchcock (E Source), NSPM Certified (comment via LinkedIn)

“[The training offered] the ability to ask questions and have discussions with highly knowledgeable experts… It gave me knowledge and helped set context that I haven’t been able to solidify through just webinars and reading the manual.”
– Attendee, NSPM Certified (comment via course evaluation)

Course Description: This in-person training course is for utilities, consultants, regulators, consumer advocates and others involved in planning, assessing or evaluating investments in DERs. The training will cover a full range of topics on benefit-cost analysis (BCA) – also referred to as “cost-effectiveness testing” – of both single and multiple distributed energy resource (DER) investments, where DERs include energy efficiency, demand response, distributed storage and solar, and building and transportation electrification. Attendees will delve into the practical application of key BCA concepts following guidance from the National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM) and supporting NSPM resources developed by the National Energy Screening Project, and will learn about real world applications of the NSPM.

Photo, L-R: NESP project director Julie Michals with expert trainers Steve Schiller and Chris Neme (courtesy AESP)

L-R: Julie Michals, Steve Schiller, and Chris Neme

Course Objectives: Attendees who complete the course will leave with a solid foundation of BCA core principles, an understanding of how BCA fits within a broader regulatory decision-making framework, and hands-on experience delving into hypothetical BCA exercises for example DER use cases. By earning the NSPM CertifiedTM credential, attendees will be well positioned to apply NSPM guidance to their work, and to differentiate themselves from other practitioners as jurisdictions increasingly reference and use the NSPM to guide DER evaluations.

Training Topics:

  1. Overview of Benefit-cost Analysis (BCA)
  2. BCA impacts and value streams for different DER types
  3. Developing or designing a primary BCA test
  4. Key input and application parameters
  5. Steps to quantifying BCA utility and non-utility system impacts
  6. Presenting and interpreting BCA results

Certification: The training will be followed by an IACET accredited exam, which if passed by an 80% grade, will provide an NSPM CertifiedTM credential to help advance the student’s skill set in evaluating distributed energy resources. 

For more information on upcoming locations, the cost of this course, hosting a training in your area, and bios of the instructors, please contact NSPM@nationalenergyscreeningproject.org.

Past Trainings: 2024

July 22-23: Conducting Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for Distributed Energy Resources using the NSPM. (Held in Toronto)