About Interactive IDSP Framework

Integrated distribution system planning (IDSP) provides a decision framework to enable the formulation of long-term grid investment strategies that address state and local policy goals, objectives, and priorities, consumers' needs, and evolution at the grid edge. As a growing number of jurisdictions adopt IDSP requirements, a shared understanding of the IDSP framework among traditional and new stakeholders participating in planning processes is increasingly important. 

This interactive framework provides summary information on 16 key topics:* 

  • Forecasting Loads and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)
  • Scenario Analysis
  • Hosting Capacity Analysis
  • Value of DERs
  • Interconnection
  • Threat-Based Risk Assessment
  • Worst-Performing Circuits Analysis
  • Asset Management Strategy
  • Functional Requirements Analysis
  • Distribution System Investment Strategy and Implementation 
  • Multi-Objective Decision-making
  • Cost-Effectiveness Framework for Investments
  • Coordinated Planning
  • Procurements
  • Geotargeting Programs
  • Stakeholder Engagement

 

For each of these topics, users can navigate the following sections:

  • Overview. Includes a definition, importance of topic for IDSP, and questions and answers
  • Roles and responsibilities. Describes how stakeholders, including public utility commissions, utilities, state energy offices, utility consumer advocates, and others, may engage and contribute throughout the planning process
  • Best practices. Provides a menu of effective actions to advance IDSP practice
  • State practices. Identifies state efforts to address each IDSP topic, through legislation, regulatory proceedings, and other activities
  • Utility practices. Provides examples of how utilities implement IDSP activities relevant to the topic
  • Flow chart. Visually represents information flows and processes
  • Tools. Identifies methods, approaches, and other tools used for IDSP
  • Resources. Provides an annotated resource list for more information on the topic

Acknowledgments

Authors: Lisa Schwartz, Berkeley Lab;  Guillermo Pereira, Berkeley Lab;  Paul De Martini, Newport Consulting;  Josh Schellenberg, Berkeley Lab affiliate;  Jason Ball, Berkeley Lab;   Natalie Mims Frick, Berkeley Lab;  Lawryn Kiboma, David Narang, Jeremy Keen, and Michael Ingram, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (author of forecasting and interconnection sections; contributor to multi-objective decision-making section) 

Reviewers: Paul De Martini, Newport Consulting; Cody Davis and Julieta Giraldez, Electric Power Engineers; and Joe Eto, Berkeley Lab

Thanks to Joseph Paladino, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity, for supporting this work.

*Additional topics, in gray type, are noted but are not addressed in this interactive resource.