As the U.S. electric grid continues to change, NARUC CPI has been working to help state public utility commissions address evolving grid planning challenges and opportunities. Current topics include integrated distribution system planning; innovations in electricity modeling; and comprehensive electricity planning (through the NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning).
Since 2017, NARUC has partnered with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to provide public utility commissions with regional, virtual and in-person training on electric distribution systems, utility distribution system planning, approaches to state engagement in integrated distribution planning, and modeling innovations. Distribution systems and planning activities complement other NARUC initiatives, such as the NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning, Smart Grid Interoperability Learning Modules, and National Council on Electricity Policy (NCEP) annual workshops.
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.
Central Regional Training on Distribution System Planning and Resilience, March 20 – 21, 2024
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Association of State Energy Officials, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory invite public utility commissions, state energy offices, and utility consumer advocates to participate in a training on distribution system planning and resilience in Nashville, Tennessee on March 20 and 21, 2024. This is a repeated training with the same content at the November 2023 and January 2024 distribution system planning and resilience trainings.
Agendas
Day 1 Distribution Presentations
Day 2 Resilience Presentations
Speaker Bios
Western Regional Training on Distribution System Planning and Resilience, January 24 – 25, 2024
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Association of State Energy Officials, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory invite Eastern public utility commissions, state energy offices, and utility consumer advocates to participate in a training on distribution system planning and resilience in Irvine, California on January 24 & 25, 2024. This is a repeated training with the same content at the November 2023 distribution system planning and resilience training.
Agendas
Day 1 Distribution Presentations
Day 2 Resilience Presentations
Speaker Bios
Save the date: To make this training broadly available for all members, it will be repeated in Tennessee the week of March 18, 2024. Please choose the training that works best for you.
Eastern Regional Training on Distribution System Planning and Resilience, November 29 – 30, 2023
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Association of State Energy Officials, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory hosted Eastern public utility commissions, state energy offices, and utility consumer advocates to participate in a training on distribution system planning and resilience in Washington, D.C., on November 29 – 30, 2023.
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:
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.
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: