Modern Planning Framework Based on Non-wires Alternatives for Advancing Distribution Planning

The evolving power distribution system, which comprises new technologies such as variable energy resources, changing load patterns and increased monitoring and control, introduces both new opportunities and additional challenges for distribution utilities. Traditionally, planning processes and tools only address a narrow piece of these emerging planning demands. These tools are not equipped to efficiently perform strategic and system-wide studies to support today's integrated resource planning objectives. While current planning tools may have the ability to be used for certain studies within these processes, new capabilities must be developed to comprehensively plan and design a system, factoring in all these complexities efficiently. This paper presents a framework designed for advancing distribution planning by integrating non-wires alternatives. The concepts presented here are applied to a proposed test case for describing the benefits and challenges when using this analysis on a power distribution simulation model.