Electric Distribution System Planning Fundamentals

April 15-16, 2025 | Online :: Central Time

0425-distribution-system-planning

“The most complete distribution knowledge training for any new or experienced engineer.” Asset Management, Puget Sound Energy

“This was a great course, great information on distributed generation integration!” Distribution Tech, Midstate Electric Coop

“A good event to hear about experiences from people in the same industry and transformations that are occurring in the sector.” Delivery System Planner, Alliant Energy

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“Course was very informative!” Utilities Engineer, CPUC

“Broad range of topics in distribution planning, great for new engineers!” Designer II, Hawaiian Electric

“This course taught me great tools for system planning that I can use to become more effective in my role as a planning engineer.” Electric Engineer, Eugene Water & Electric Board

“Informative course on incorporating many facets (system planning, cost analysis, generation, and system reliability) of the electric utility industry in a compact, concise presentation.” Distribution Technician, Midstate Electric Cooperative

“Great overall representation of system planning in today’s power utility!” Planning Engineer II, Matanuska Electric Association

Optimizing distribution system assets is a more difficult task as distributed energy resources become a bigger player on the distribution system. Analyzing load data is essential to developing an effective forecast.

This course provides a deep dive into traditional distribution system planning practices as well as modern trends and future considerations. Attendees will learn, through practical examples and case studies:

• Capacity planning solutions (short-term planning)
• Spatial analysis and the effects of higher distribution voltages (long-term planning)
• Distributed generation
• Accounting for the effects of energy storage, including EVs, and how to model accordingly
• Capital project justification and the consideration of risks associated with alternatives

This is a “must attend” course for anyone involved with distribution systems planning, secure your seat today!

Learning Objectives

• Review the load data industry trend – history, present day, tomorrow
• Discuss system growth – existing customer vs. new business
• Identify sources of load profile data
• Review load forecasting rules of thumb and other assumptions
• Assess calculating loss of life due to overload for critical equipment
• Discuss the effect of system losses with regard to voltage profile and power quality
• Review options to resolving capacity issues
• Identify long-term planning for substation location and capacity
• Review distributed generation classifications
• Discuss sustainability of solar generation
• Review energy storage systems
• Discuss integrating distributed energy resources
• Define microgrid, characteristics and applications

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 : Central Time

 

Electric Distribution Planning Overview

• Electric Distribution – Definition & Function
• Industry Background & Trends
  • Bulk Generation & Distributed Energy Resources

Introduction to Distribution Planning 

• Definitions & Function of Planning

Justification of Capital Projects

• Time Value of Money
  • Future Worth
  • Present Worth
• Types of Cost

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. :: Lunch Break

Introduction to Load

• Estimating Load
• Load Diversity
• Load Metrics
• Load Types and New Loads
• Calculating System Losses

Load Data Collection & Analysis

• Sources of Load Data
• Importance of Accurate Load Data

Resolving Capacity Issues – Short Term Solutions

• Phase Balancing
• Transfer of Load
• Adding Volt/VAR Equipment
• Reconductoring

Load Forecasting

• Accurate Model of Existing Load
• Past Load Growth
• Adjusting Load Records for Weather Variation
• Growth Trends

Spatial Forecasting

• Definitions
• Vertical & Horizonal Load Growth
• Spatial Analysis
  • Regional Planning – Zoning
  • Demand Density Levels
• Locating Facilities
  • Transmission Lines, Substation, Distribution Lines

 

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 : Central Time

 

Equipment Loading & Ratings

• Power Transformer
  • Estimating Loss of Life
• Conductors & Cables

Impact of Distributed Energy Resources

• System Capacity
• Power Quality
• Overcurrent Protection Strategy
• System Capacity
  • Dispatchable vs. Non Dispatchable Energy Resources
    • Dispatchable hierarchy
• Power Quality
  • Variation of DER output
  • Harmonic Distortion
  • Unintended Islands
• Overcurrent Protection Strategy
  • Contribution to max. available fault current

Focus Solar PV Generation

• Load vs. Solar Generation Plots
• High Penetration Roof Top Solar
• Residential Solar

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. :: Lunch Break

Utility Scale Solar

• Space requirements and location
• Power quality & protection issues

Utility Scale Battery Storage

• Scaling of Installation
• Round Trip Efficiency
• Industry Safety Standards

Demand Response

• Definitions & Benefits
• Commercial/Industrial DR Programs
• Residential DR Programs

Self-Healing Distribution Systems

• Reliability Indices
  • Benefits of Alternate Source on Distribution Circuits
• Recloser Loop Schemes
  • Coordination of Overcurrent Devices
• Restoration Software for DMS Systems

Introduction to Microgrids

• • Definitions & Benefits
  • Types of Microgrids

Wrap Up – Questions and Discussion

David Farmer, PE

David currently serves as Principal, Distribution Grid in the Business and Technology Strategies organization at NRECA.  In this role, he represents electric cooperatives in standards entities such as the NESC, NEC, IEEE, and ANSI, with a particular focus on the integration of Distributed Energy Resources and new distribution technologies. He also supports NRECA’s Transmission and Distribution Engineering Committee (TDEC) and its subcommittees.  He has four decades of experience in the utility industry working with investor-owned, cooperative, and municipal utilities.  His experience includes power delivery planning, load forecasting, reliability, operations, and renewable resource planning and integration.  Mr. Farmer holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University Institute of Technology and is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states.

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Jerry Josken, Senior Consultant and Instructor, EUCI

Jerry holds a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and an MBA from North Central College. During his 30+ year career with Eaton Power Systems, Jerry served in a variety of engineering capacities. In his time as senior consultant with Pike Engineering, Jerry developed professional development programs for clients, as well as the firm’s freshman engineers. Past leadership positions include Chair of IEEE Rural Electric Power Conference (2012) and Chair of Distribution Equipment/Controls Track, Great Lakes Electric Meter School (2013-2014). Currently, Jerry is a senior consultant for EUCI where he creates and conducts continuing education courses on various power delivery topics.

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Electric Distribution System Planning Fundamentals

April 15-16, 2025 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before March 14, 2025 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.5 CEUs for this event.

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 18.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org