• Berkeley Lab Electricity Markets & Policy Group – Integrated Distribution System Planning

  Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provides training and whitepapers 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.

• NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning, 2019 – 2021

  This task force enabled Task Force members, NARUC and NASEO staff, technical and subject matter experts, and others to develop a robust set of resources to support state decision makers in advancing aligned electricity system planning processes across transmission, generation, and distribution planning. The Jade Cohort Roadmap focused explicitly on describing an ideal integrated distribution planning process and included numerous examples.

• Distribution System Planning – State Examples by Topic, May 2018

  This Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) report summarizes approaches to electric distribution system planning (DSP) that some states have adopted in the context of grid modernization and higher levels of distributed energy resources (DERs). Other states can consider adapting these approaches to help achieve the specific aims set for their own DSP processes.

• Peer-Sharing Webinars for Public Utility Commissions on Integrated Distribution System Planning, February 27 – June 12, 2023

  The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), are hosting peer-sharing webinars on integrated distribution system planning for public utility commissions beginning February 27, 2023. The series will provide structured opportunities for states to learn from each other. Commission presenters will share their experiences, lessons learned and remaining challenges. Subject matter experts will close the conversation with a brief presentation and Q&A session. Attendance is limited to public utility commissioners and commission staff.

• Regional Distribution System Planning Trainings, 2017 – 2021

  Since 2017, NARUC has partnered with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to provide public utility commissions with regional, in-person training on electric distribution systems, utility distribution system planning, and approaches to state engagement in integrated distribution planning. Training sessions are customized to each region and have also included topics such as: planning for resilience and reliability, scenario modeling, hosting capacity analysis, and locational net benefits approaches. Below are links to each training that take you to a site with the training information, agendas and presentations:

  • New England States Training Webinars on Electricity System Planning, May – June 2022
  • Western States Integrated Distribution Systems Planning Training Sessions, February – March 2021
  • Midwest/MISO Regional Integrated Distribution Systems Planning Training Sessions, October 2020
  • Southeastern Distribution Systems and Planning Training Sessions, March 2020
  • Mid-Atlantic Distribution Systems and Planning Training, March 2019
  • Western Distribution Systems and Planning Training, May 2018
  • Midwest Distribution System and Planning Training, January 2018
  • NECPUC Distribution Systems and Planning Training, Sept 2017

• Innovations in Electricity Modeling Training Series

  NARUC and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LNBL) conducted virtual training on innovations in electricity system modeling, in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in October and November 2021.

Funders

Distribution systems and planning training has been made possible through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. NARUC is grateful for their leadership and partnership to enable this valuable program.

NARUC staff expert who supports these activities:

Jeff Loiter