Hosted by Georgia Power
We assembled the Integrated Systems Planning (ISP) workshop so attendees could share insights and best practices surrounding interconnection and load forecasting among multiple utilities. Participants aimed to understand the current state of utility planning, identify gaps, and explore opportunities for improvement.
Represented Member Utilities: Alabama Power Co., Ameren Illinois, Commonwealth Edison Co., Duke Energy, Duquesne Light Company, Electric Power Research Institute, Eversource, Georgia Power Co., LG&E & KU Energy LLC, Minnesota Power, National Grid, North Carolina Electric Member Corporation, Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co., Omaha Public Power District, Oncor, Salt River Project, Southern California Edison Co., Southern Company, Southern Company Services, Tampa Electric Company
Other attendees: National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, United States Department of Energy
Topics discussed:
Load forecasting relative to IDSP
The importance of dynamic hosting capacity
Flexible interconnection agreements
Integrating distributed energy resources (DER) to enhance grid operations
A long-range assessment of statewide decarbonization goals
The workshop underscored the need for advanced forecasting techniques, both top-down and bottom-up, to accurately predict load growth and manage grid resources effectively. Participants highlighted innovative tools and strategies such as dynamic rate schedules, customer energy control systems, and comprehensive distribution planning horizons extending to 2050. The overarching goal was to equip utilities with the necessary systems and strategies to achieve grid modernization while aligning with regulatory frameworks and ensuring cost-effectiveness.