DERs are resources located close to or at the end-user of electricity (homes or businesses) on the electricity distribution system. DERs can include generation sources (i.e., rooftop solar), energy efficiency measures, energy storage, and demand side management resources.
DERs are resources located close to or at the end-user of electricity (homes or businesses) on the electricity distribution system. DERs can include generation sources (i.e., rooftop solar), energy efficiency measures, energy storage, and demand side management resources. 
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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.

  • Leadership

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    Chairs

    Jeffrey Ackermann

    Jeffrey Ackermann

    Colorado

    Jennifer Richardson

    Jennifer Richardson

    Indiana

    Vice-Chairs

    Andrew McAllister

    Andrew McAllister

    Colorado

    Beth Trombold

    Beth Trombold

    Utah

     

  • Background

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    In November 2018, NASEO Board of Directors’ Chair Andrew McAllister and NARUC’s President Nick Wagner initiated the creation of a Joint NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning. This Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning is a collaborative initiative of NARUC and NASEO to organize a professionally-facilitated workshop series over two years, providing a guided educational process for NARUC and NASEO members to develop new approaches that better align distribution system planning and resource planning processes. The NARUC and NASEO leadership see a unique opportunity to bring thought leaders together to work on better aligning planning processes through a dedicated multi-year effort engaging our members. Sixteen states are representing NARUC & NASEO members on the Task Force for Comprehensive Electricity Planning. For more information on the Task Force, please click here.

  • Resources

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    Through the Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning, Task Force members, NARUC and NASEO staff, technical and subject matter experts, and others have developed a robust set of resources to support state decision makers in advancing aligned electricity system planning processes.

    The Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning has also developed a Comprehensive Electricity Planning Library throughout the two-year initiative to facilitate Task Force members’ deeper learning about evolving electricity planning processes. Available to all of NASEO’s and NARUC’s membership, these materials include summaries of webinars, a resource library, and materials from the Task Force’s workshops, such as the standard building blocks of electricity system planning processes.