Advanced engineering methods for optimizing and integrating distribution planning with demand-side management and dispersed generation

Including demand-side management and dispersed generation, along with distribution automation in the planning of a transmission and distribution (T&D) system requires a number of additions and changes to traditional T&D planning methods. This paper identifies the major issues that must be faced and describes a planning method that has been successfully applied to a number of electric utility planning projects. Example plans using this method are presented