With growing customer installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), electricity planning needs to account for the quantity, location, capabilities, and load shapes of resources added to the distribution system and the bulk power system. Additionally, considering the full range of investment options across the electricity system is essential for cost effectively meeting current and emerging grid needs such as increased flexibility and resilience.
Through the Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning, NASEO and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) are supporting State Energy Offices and Public Utilities Commissions in analyzing what impacts these developments have on electricity planning and how state-led planning pathways can lead to a more resilient, efficient, and affordable grid.
Participants of the Task Force are being guided through an educational, creative, and collaborative process to develop multiple approaches for aligning resource and distribution system planning.
NARUC and NASEO are grateful to the U.S. Department of Energy for its support of this initiative.