20180126Avista to Staff_DR_006.docx

AVISTA CORP.
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATIONJURISDICTION:WASHINGTONDATE PREPARED:11/20/2017CASE NO.:U-170970WITNESS:Scott L. MorrisREQUESTER:UTC StaffRESPONDER:Ed SchlectTYPE:Data RequestDEPT:Corporate StrategyREQUEST NO.:Staff – 006(AVA)TELEPHONE:[phone]EMAIL:[e-mail]:
On page 11 of Exhibit SLM-1T, Mr. Morris states that Avista will continue “development and funding of Avista’s existing and future innovation activities.”Please identify Avista’s existing and future innovation activities.RESPONSE:Existing innovation activities include training employees in best practices in innovation such as Design Thinking, exploring pathways to improve customer access to electrified transportation such as the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) pilot program, and developing technology to improve operational efficiency such as the current capital project known as the Avista Decision Support System which improves hydro generation efficiency.Future innovation activities have not been defined.