Energy Planning & Procurement

Energy Planning & Procurement

Advancing best practices in energy planning and procurement

What We Do

EMP's analysis, tools, and technical assistance address a wide range of planning and procurement issues across the electricity system involving utilities, regional grid operators, regulators, and markets.

Our Approach

Utilities and regional entities conduct planning to ensure reliable electricity service for bulk power and distribution systems. EMP evaluates these plans, collects key assumptions and results, and disseminates best practices to a broad set of stakeholders. EMP also conducts research on a range of vital topics, including resource planning and procurement; integrated planning for distribution systems and grid modernization; socio-economic evaluation; transmission planning; regional grid operator (RTO/ISO) processes; the design and operation of centrally organized wholesale electricity markets; and generator interconnection trends and processes. Our technical assistance informs electricity system decisions by utilities, regional grid operators, regulators, and other government agencies.

Selected Projects


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Juan Pablo Carvallo

Recent Publications

Schwartz, Lisa C, Natalie Mims Frick, Margot Everett, Chris Lawrie, Cody Davis, Nancy Ryan, Andrew Satchwell, and Grace Relf."Integrated Distribution System Planning 2.0: Planning for Electrification and Distributed Energy Resources." (2024).
Shipley, Jessica, Jay Barlow, and Grace Relf."Review of Literature and Utility Commission Proceedings Relevant to Integrated System Planning: Annotated Bibliography Prepared to Support the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission." (2024).
Biewald, Bruce, Devi Glick, Shelley Kwok, Juan Pablo Carvallo, and Lisa C Schwartz."Best Practices in Integrated Resource Planning: A guide for planners developing the electricity resource mix of the future." (2024).
Kahrl, Fredrich, Jennie Jorgenson, James Hyungkwan Kim, Lawryn Kiboma, Dev Millstein, Natalie Mims Frick, and Brian Sergi."Solar and Wind Forecast Error Reserve Sharing in a Multi-Utility Region." (2024).
Relf, Grace, Peter Cappers, Ronny Sandoval, and Myles T Collins."Clean Energy Innovator Fellows Training: Electricity Regulation Basics." (2024).
Pereira, Guillermo, and Lisa C Schwartz."Integrated Distribution System Planning." (2024).
Schellenberg, Josh A, and Lisa C Schwartz."Grid Resilience Plans: State Requirements, Utility Practices, and Utility Plan Template." (2024).
Davis, Cody, and Lisa C Schwartz."Sizing Electric Service Panels and Utility Infrastructure for Residential Electrification and Distributed Energy Resources Adoption." (2024).
Millstein, Dev, Julie Mulvaney Kemp, Will Gorman, and Ryan H Wiser."Transmission value in 2023: Market data shows the value of transmission remained high in certain locations despite overall low wholesale electricity prices." (2024).
Wiser, Ryan H, Mark Bolinger, Dev Millstein, and Joachim Seel."Grid Value and Cost of Utility-Scale Wind and Solar: Potential Implications for Consumer Electricity Bills." (2024).
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ISDP Framework
Interactive Decision Framework for Integrated Distribution System Planning
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State Distribution Planning Requirements
Resource Planning Portal
Resource Planning Portal
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Accelerating offshore wind development in the coastal provinces of China
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The use of price-based demand response as a resource in electricity system planning
Not Just A Pipe Dream: Non-Pipeline Alternative Framework, Analysis and Experiences
Not Just A Pipe Dream: Non-Pipeline Alternative Framework, Analysis and Experiences
Webinar cover slide
Still the One: New Study Finds Efficiency Remains a Cost-Effective Electricity Resource
All-Source Competitive Solicitations: State and Electric Utility Practices
All-Source Competitive Solicitations: State and Electric Utility Practices
Improving estimates of transmission capital costs for utility-scale wind and solar projects to inform renewable energy policy
Improving estimates of transmission capital costs for utility-scale wind and solar projects to inform renewable energy policy
The Future of U.S. Electricity Efficiency Programs Funded by Utility Customers: Program Spending and Savings Projections to 2030
The Future of U.S. Electricity Efficiency Programs Funded by Utility Customers: Program Spending and Savings Projections to 2030
No time to lose: Recent research on the time-sensitive value of electric energy efficiency
No time to lose: Recent research on the time-sensitive value of electric energy efficiency
Distribution Systems in a High Distributed Energy Resources Future: Planning, Market Design, Operation and Oversight
Distribution Systems in a High Distributed Energy Resources Future: Planning, Market Design, Operation and Oversight
Integrated Distribution System Planning
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Resource Planning & Procurement Trends
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