Planning the Distribution Grid of Tomorrow: Integrating Non-Wires Alternatives into Distribution Planning
Distribution planning has traditionally relied on snapshot studies, where planners model feeder peak demand under normal conditions (N – 0) and contingency conditions (N – 1) to identify thermal overloads and voltage violations. Based on these assessments, utilities typically pursue conventional infrastructure upgrades such as reconductoring, load transfers, feeder additions, or substation expansion [1]. This approach was…