District of Columbia Initiates Integrated Distribution System Planning Proceeding for Electric Utilities
The District of Columbia Public Service Commission on Dec. 4 launched a proceeding to initiate an Integrated Distribution System Planning, or IDSP, process to proactively prepare the electric grid to support the demands of the clean energy transition and integrate distributed energy resources such as solar power and energy storage. The commission issued a draft proposal for an initial framework for the IDSP process along with a notice of inquiry seeking feedback from various stakeholders such as local communities, electric utility companies, and advocacy groups.
In preparing the proposal, the commission took into consideration successful integrated distribution planning of states such as Minnesota and Michigan. The proposal establishes a schedule of IDSP filings, with utilities filing an IDSP plan every three years. The filing must also include a five-year investment plan and a 10 to 15-year outlook.
The proposal would require utilities to provide an IDSP action plan to address the established short-term and long-term challenges and needs. Among other things, the plan would include information on load forecasts, predicted reliability metrics for the next five and ten years, five and ten-year forecasts for O&M and capital spending, as well as grid modernization efforts, detailing initiatives to address ongoing and upcoming distribution technologies and improvements to create a modern grid.
The issuance of the proposal and notice of inquiry represents the first phase of a multi-step process designed to gather input and build stakeholder consensus. Information gathered during this phase will inform subsequent stages of the IDSP, leading to a comprehensive, actionable roadmap for the district’s energy future.
Comments on the proposal are due by Jan. 31, 2025. Reply comments are due by Feb. 28, 2025.
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