Many distribution planners are facing an environment of rapid change and increasing complexity as they prepare distribution systems for electrification and DER. Increasingly, they are participating in special studies, the development of Integrated System Plans, and annual planning processes that require closer coordination with other planning organizations, including planning groups that may reside outside their company. Yet, their processes, capabilities, and data were not developed with integrated planning in mind. Some may not have relationships with planning groups other than transmission planning, and they may not recognize their role in an integrated planning process, the value they bring, nor the value integrated planning may bring to the overall planning process.
This report brings additional context to EPRI's Integrated Strategic System Planning (ISSP) initiative for distribution planners and others seeking to work collaboratively with them. It provides an overall framework that categorizes the drivers, process, teams, capabilities, and tools, which provides context for the current ISSP efforts as well as additional research. This document proposes a process, including teams, capabilities, and data that make up some of the basic elements of the overall integrated planning process. It is intended to be adapted to the unique environments of distribution groups and their company based on their objectives and needs. Insights on implementing the ISSP framework and lessons learned from the demonstration study are also shared.