Integrated Distribution System Planning

Berkeley Lab provides training on Integrated Distribution System Planning — with strong links to bulk power system planning and grid modernization strategies — in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Modernization Initiative. Regional trainings are for state public utility commissions and state energy offices, co-hosted by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Association of State Energy Officials, and regional organizations. We also provide education and training for state utility consumer representatives through the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, governors’ energy advisors through the National Governors Association, and state legislators through the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Regional and state trainings and presentations

Eastern Regional Training: Planning for Distribution Systems, Distributed Energy Resources, and Resilience, November 29-30, 2023 – Washington, D.C.

Abstract: The National Association of State Energy Officials, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided training on distribution system planning and resilience planning on November 29-30 in Washington, D.C. for State Energy Offices, public utility commissions, and utility consumer advocates. The training includes 101-level sessions as well as more in-depth technical sessions, interactive activities, and peer-sharing opportunities.

Integrated Distribution System Planning Workshops, New Mexico PRC

Abstract: Berkeley Lab organized workshops on integrated distribution planning for the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The Commission requested workshops to assist with its inquiry into the potential promulgation of a comprehensive grid modernization rule, pursuant to the state's Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap statute, including consideration of integrated distribution planning.

Resilience Trainings (sponsored by DOE's Grid Deployment Office)

Distribution System Planning: Goals & Objectives, Maine Public Utilities Commission, April 25, 2023

State Approaches for Distribution System Planning, including Grid Modernization - April 13, 2023

New England PUCs training on electricity system planning, May 12, 2022

Western States Training Webinars on Integrated Distribution System Planning February-March 2021

Integrated Distribution System Planning training for the Midwest/MISO region, October 13-15, 2020

Distribution Planning Regulatory Practices in Other States for Oregon Public Utility Commission, May 21,2020

Southeast Regional Training on Distribution Systems & Planning, March 11-12, 2020

Mid-Atlantic Distribution Systems and Planning Training, March 7-8, 2019

Distribution Systems and Planning Training for Western States, May 1-3, 2018

Overview of Integrated Distribution Planning Concepts and State Activity, March 13, 2018

Midwest Distribution Systems & Planning Training, January 16-17, 2018

NECPUC Distribution Systems & Planning Training, September 27-29, 2017

Overview of Distribution Planning Efforts for Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, October 24, 2016

 

National trainings and presentations

Distribution and Grid Modernization Planning to Accelerate Deployment of Distributed Energy Resources - April 13, 2023
Lisa Schwartz
Meeting Recording & Slides

PUC Peer-Sharing Webinars on Integrated Distribution System Planning February 27-June 12, 2023

  • Evaluating Cost-Effectiveness of Grid Modernization Investments - Kick-off presentation by Dr. Fredrich Kahrl, Berkeley Lab/3rdRail, Inc., and Paul De Martini, Newport Consulting Group, Recording & Slides, February 27, 2023
  • Forecasting Loads and Distributed Energy Resources - Kick-off presentation by Sean Morash, Telos Energy, Recording & Slides, March 20, 2023
  • Reviewing Utility Distribution Plans - Kick-off presentation by Tim Woolf, Synapse Energy Economics, Recording & Slides, April 10, 2023
  • Advancing Equity Considerations in Distribution System Planning - Kick-off presentation by Jennifer Yoshimura, Energy Justice and Equity Leader, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Recording & Slides, May 1, 2023
  • Non-Wires Alternatives - Kick-off presentation by Josh Bode, Demand Side Analytics, Recording & Slides, May 22, 2023
  • Developing Requirements for Utility Distribution Plans - Kick-off presentation by Lisa Schwartz, Berkeley Lab, Recording & Slides, June 12, 2023

Coordinated Planning with Consideration for Resilience and Equity, for NASUCA 2022 Annual Meeting, November 15, 2022
Joseph Paladino, USDOE
Slides

Coordinating Distribution, Transmission and Resource Planning, June 29, 2022
Paul De Martini, Alan Cooke, Fritz Kahrl
Meeting Recording & Slides

Resource, Asset and Contingency Planning with Climate Variability, June 27, 2022
Juliet Homer 
Meeting Recording & Slides

NASUCA June 2022 mid-year meeting, June 12-15, 2022

Technical Training for NASUCA Members on Contemporary Electricity System Issues, October-November 2021

Innovations in Electricity Modeling: Virtual Training Series for National Council on Electricity Policy, October 1-November 1, 2021 (slides and other series information). Videos for each session are linked immediately below.

  • Introduction to Tools to Support Comprehensive Electricity Planning October 1, 2021
    • Tools and Methods for Distribution System Planning with Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), Juliet Homer and Tom McDermott, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Recording link
    • Modeling Tool Integration for Comprehensive Electricity Planning, JP Carvallo, Berkeley Lab Recording link
  • State of the Art Practices for Modeling Storage in Integrated Resource Planning October 12, 2021 Recording link
  • Integrating DERs into Bulk Power System Planning October 20, 2021
    • Sequential Integrated Analysis of DERs in Distribution and Bulk Power Systems, JP Carvallo, Berkeley Lab Recording link
    • Energy Efficiency and Demand Response as Resource Options in Bulk Power System Planning, Natalie Mims Frick, Berkeley Lab Recording link
  • Planning for Climate Variability Monday, November 1, 2021
    • Load forecasting with climate variability for transmission and distribution system planning, Rui Yang, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Juliet Homer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Recording link
    • Resource, asset, and contingency planning with climate variability
      John Fazio, Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and Robert Lempert, RAND Corporation Recording link
      Juliet Homer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Recording link

Planning Electricity Systems with Distributed Energy Resources for NASUCA Members - October 2020

  • Planning for Energy Storage – Jeremy Twitchell (PNNL) and Andrew Mills (Berkeley Lab) Webinar & Slides, October 30, 2020
  • Demand Flexibility as a Utility System Resource  -Natalie Mims Frick (Berkeley Lab)  Webinar & Slides, October 29, 2020
  • Planning for Electric Vehicles and Strategies for Managing Charging – Doug Black and Jason MacDonald (Berkeley Lab) and Michael Kintner-Meyer (PNNL) Webinar, Slides, and other resources, October 23, 2020
  • Impacts of Distributed Energy Resources on Net Loads and Approaches for Actively Managing Load Shapes – Chandler Miller (Berkeley Lab) Webinar, Slides, and other resources, October 22, 2020

Energy System Planning for a Modern Electric Grid, National Governors Association Energy Policy Institute, Presentation Slides, August 25, 2020

Distribution System Planning Training for NASUCA Members, June 21, 2019

Evolving Approaches to Electricity System Planning, March 14, 2019

Distribution Technology Training for NASUCA Members, October-November 2018

  • Reliability Metrics and Reliability Value-Based Planning - Joe Eto (Berkeley Lab) Webinar and Slides, November 13, 2018
  • Benefit-Cost Frameworks for Utility-Facing Investments in Distribution - Tim Woolf (Synapse Energy Economics) Webinar and Slides, November 11, 2018
  • Distribution System Controls and Automation - Barry Mather (NREL) Webinar and Slides, October 31, 2018
  • Metrics and Valuation Frameworks for System Planning - Michael Kintner-Meyer (PNNL) Webinar and Slides, October 10, 2018

 

 

DOE and partner publications

State Energy Offices’ Engagement in Electric Distribution Planning to Meet State Policy Goals by Sean Murphy and Lisa Schwartz, Berkeley Lab, Catherine Reed, Marion Gold, and Kirsten Verclas, NASEO, November 2023

Emerging Best Practices for Electric Utility Planning with Climate Variability: A Resource for Utilities and Regulators, by Juliet S. Homer, Alan C. Cooke, Kamila Kazimierczuk, Rebecca Tapio, Julie Peacock, Abigail King, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, May 2023

Integrated Resilient Distribution Planning, Paul De Martini, Jeff Taft,  Andrew De Martini, and Mary Hall, Newport Consulting and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, May 2022

Electric Distribution System Planning with DERs — Tools and Methods, by J.S. Homer, Y. Tang, J.D. Taft, D. Lew, D. Narang, M. Coddington, M. Ingram, A. Hoke, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, March 2020

Modern Distribution Grid Project

Summary of Electric Distribution System Analyses with a Focus on DERs, by Y. Tang, J.S. Homer, T.E. McDermott, M. Coddington, B. Sigrin, B. Mather, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, April 2017

Distribution system infographic, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

2023

Schwartz, Lisa C, Natalie Mims Frick, Julieta Giraldez, Cody Davis, Samir Succar, Ronny Sandoval, Eliza Hotchkiss, Josh A Schellenberg, Tom Wall, Peter H Larsen, Nichole L Hanus, and Jane Frantz. "Eastern Regional Training: Planning for Distribution Systems, Distributed Energy Resources, and Resilience." 2023.

Related Files

   Speaker Bios PDF (605.49 KB)   IDSP Training Agenda, Nov. 29, 2023 PDF (295.95 KB)   Integrated Distribution System Planning Overview PDF (4.5 MB)   Load Forecasting PDF (4.22 MB)   Distributed Energy Resources Planning PDF (4.84 MB)   Identifying Grid Needs and Evaluating Investment Options PDF (5.68 MB)   Recovering and Allocating Costs PDF (1.25 MB)   Resilence Planning Training Agenda, Nov. 30, 2023 PDF (312.49 KB)   Introduction to Resilience for Electricity Systems PDF (3.87 MB)   What Should Energy Resilience Plans Include? Example plans, template, and reporting PDF (2.45 MB)   CT PURA Resilience Framework PDF (2.67 MB)   Identifying Threats, Predicting Vulnerabilities, and Assessing Risks PDF (9.75 MB)   Strategies for Valuing and Prioritizing Resilience Investments and Measuring Progress PDF (2.71 MB)   Mitigation, Rapid Restoration Strategies, and Best Practices – with Case Studies PDF (3.19 MB)   State Criteria for Evaluating Resilience Projects PDF (1.16 MB)
Murphy, Sean, Lisa C Schwartz, Catherine Reed, Marion Gold, and Kirsten Verclas. State Energy Offices’ Engagement in Electric Distribution Planning to Meet State Policy Goals. 2023.

Related Files

   Report PDF (6.61 MB)
Carvallo, Juan Pablo, and Lisa C Schwartz. "The use of price-based demand response as a resource in electricity system planning." 2023.

Related Files

   Brief PDF (1.15 MB)
Pereira, Guillermo, Lisa C Schwartz, and Natalie Mims Frick. "Using Energy Efficiency to Help Meet Distribution System Capacity Needs." 2023.

Related Files

   Presentation PDF (1.06 MB)
Schwartz, Lisa C, Hanna Terwilliger, and Joy Wang. "Integrated Distribution System Planning Workshop, New Mexico PRC." 2023.

Related Files

   Integrated Distribution Planning and Grid Modernization PDF (1.63 MB)   Distribution Planning Process in Michigan PDF (3.86 MB)   Minnesota Integrated Distribution System Planning PDF (732.09 KB)   National Perspective on State Approaches to Distribution System Planning PDF (1.99 MB)
Larsen, Peter H, Lisa C Schwartz, and Joe Paladino. "Resilience Training for the Public Utility Commission of Texas." 2023.

Related Files

   Estimating the Economic Impacts of Power Interruptions (or the Value of Reliability/Resilience) PDF (2.09 MB)   Economic Impacts of Widespread, Long Duration Power Interruptions PDF (1.98 MB)   Distribution System, Grid Modernization, and Resilience Planning PDF (1.44 MB)   Integrated Distribution System Planning: Status, Challenges, and Approaches PDF (486.69 KB)   Causes and Impacts of Grid Outages, Metrics for Measuring Resilience, and Valuing and Prioritizing Strategies PDF (2.07 MB)
Keen, Jeremy, Erik Pohl, Natalie Mims Frick, Juan Pablo Carvallo, and Lisa C Schwartz. Duke Energy’s Integrated System and Operations Planning: A comparative analysis of integrated planning practices. 2023.

Related Files

   Report PDF (1.75 MB)
Schwartz, Lisa C, Joe Paladino, Peter H Larsen, Cecilia Klauber, Tom Short, Scott Sternfeld, and Miguel Heleno. "Resilience Training for the Southeast." 2023.

Related Files

   Agenda PDF (172.1 KB)   Integrated Resilient Distribution Planning PDF (829.83 KB)   Causes and Impacts of Grid Outages, Metrics for Measuring Resilience, and Valuing and Prioritizing Strategies PDF (2.09 MB)   Cyber and Physical Threats to the Grid PDF (4.31 MB)   Best Practices for Resilient Distribution Systems PDF (5.32 MB)   Using Smart Meters and Energy Data to Improve Resilience PDF (6.84 MB)   Microgrids for Tropical Storm-Prone Areas PDF (2.05 MB)
Schwartz, Lisa C. "Distribution and Grid Modernization Planning to Accelerate Deployment of Distributed Energy Resources." 2023.

Related Files

   Presentation PDF (3.48 MB)
Frick, Natalie Mims, Lisa C Schwartz, Elaine Prause, and Raphael Breit. "Distribution System Planning: Goals & Objectives." 2023.

Related Files

   Presentation PDF (2.49 MB)
Schwartz, Lisa C. "State Approaches for Distribution System Planning, including Grid Modernization." 2023.

Related Files

   Presentation PDF (4.97 MB)
Relf, Grace, Joy Wang, Fredrich Kahrl, Paul De Martini, Caitlyn Edmundson, Rob Peterson, Sean Morash, Brad Borum, Tim Woolf, Jennifer Yoshimura, Sarah Hall, Tera Dornfeld, Josh L Bode, Megan Gilman, Robert Peterson, Lisa C Schwartz, James Lester, and Nick Sayen. "PUC Peer-Sharing Webinars on Integrated Distribution System Planning." 2023.

Related Files

   Agenda (324.78 KB)   February 27 – Evaluating Cost-Effectiveness of Grid Modernization Investments (5.34 MB)   March 20 - Forecasting Loads and Distributed Energy Resources (1.5 MB)   April 10 - Reviewing Utility Distribution Plans: Kick-off presentation (740.39 KB)   April 10 - Reviewing Utility Distribution Plans: Michigan PSC (3.25 MB)   April 10 - Reviewing Utility Distribution Plans: Indiana URC (2.43 MB)   May 1 - Advancing Equity Considerations in Distribution System Planning (4.95 MB)   May 22 - Non-Wires Alternatives: Kick-off presentation (1.33 MB)   May 22 - Non-Wires Alternatives: Colorado PUC (769.46 KB)   May 22 - Non-Wires Alternatives: California PUC (723.84 KB)   June 12 - Developing Requirements for Utility Distribution Plans (3.05 MB)

2022

De Martini, Paul, Alan Cooke, Fredrich Kahrl, Lavelle Freeman, Juan Martinez, Elton Prifti, Kim Cullen, Jody Londo, Tim Woolf, Rebecca O'Neil, Dan Boff, Xiangqi Zhu, Seemita Pal, Ron Melton, Lisa C Schwartz, Natalie Mims Frick, and Juliet Homer. "New England PUCs training on electricity system planning." 2022.

Related Files

   Agenda PDF (329.53 KB)   Trainer Bios PDF (4.74 MB)   Integrated Planning for New England PDF (2.3 MB)   DER Integration into Wholesale Markets PDF (794.06 KB)   Xcel Energy MN IDP PDF (3.58 MB)   NECPUC Eversource Distribution Planning PDF (3.49 MB)   National Grid Distribution Planning Overview PDF (1.92 MB)   Cullen Avangrid Distribution Planning PDF (1.47 MB)   De Martini IRDP and Grid Mod PDF (3.77 MB)   Synapse Grid Mod Economic Assess PDF (779.44 KB)   O'Neil Planning for Equity and Resilience PDF (1.83 MB)   Boff Utility Cost Allocation PDF (809.48 KB)   Pal-Melton PNNL Grid Architecture PDF (5.07 MB)   Schwartz State Distribution Planning PDF (6.99 MB)   Zhu Beneficial Electrification PDF (6.98 MB)
Schwartz, Lisa C. "Integrated distribution planning overview." 2022.

Related Files

   Presentation PDF (4.14 MB)
McDermott, Thomas E, Killian McKenna, Miguel Heleno, Bilal Ahmad Bhatti, Michael Emmanuel, and Sydney Forrester. Distribution System Research Roadmap. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2022.

2021

Homer, Juliet, Tom McDermott, Juan Pablo Carvallo, Chandler Miller, Jeremy Twitchell, Natalie Mims Frick, John Fazio, Robert Lempert, and Rui Yang. "Integrated Distribution System Planning Training: Innovations in Electricity Modeling." 2021.

Related Files

   Agenda PDF (221.13 KB)   Speaker Bios PDF (452.37 KB)   Tools and Methods for Distribution System Planning with Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) (5.4 MB)   Modeling Tool Integration for Comprehensive Electricity Planning (2.71 MB)   State of the Art Practices for Modeling Storage in Integrated Resource Planning (2.5 MB)   Energy Efficiency and Demand Response as Resource Options in Bulk Power System Planning (4.59 MB)   Sequential Integrated Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources in Distribution and Bulk Power Systems  (2.42 MB)   Load forecasting with climate variability for transmission and distribution system planning (3.39 MB)   Resource, asset, and contingency planning with climate variability - Homer (2.44 MB)   Resource, asset, and contingency planning with climate variability - Fazio (926.23 KB)   Planning in a Non-Stationary Climate (1.87 MB)
Woolf, Tim, Ben Havumaki, Divita Bhandari, Melissa Whited, and Lisa C Schwartz. Benefit-Cost Analysis for Utility-Facing Grid Modernization Investments: Trends, Challenges, and Considerations. 2021.

Related Files

   Report PDF (1.78 MB)   Presentation PDF (1.28 MB)

2020

Schwartz, Lisa C. "Energy System Planning for a Modern Electric Grid." 2020.

Related Files

   Presentation PDF (2.23 MB)

2018

Cooke, Alan, Juliet Homer, and Lisa C Schwartz. Distribution System Planning – State Examples by Topic. 2018.

Related Files

   Report PDF (1.61 MB)   Presentation PDF (2.18 MB)

2017

Homer, Juliet, Alan Cooke, Lisa C Schwartz, Greg Leventis, Francisco Flores-Espino, and Michael Coddington. State Engagement in Electric Distribution System Planning. 2017.

Related Files

   Report PDF (1.54 MB)

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