Adapting Transmission Planning to the Scaling-Up of Distributed and Variable Resources

Variable and distributed energy resources no longer represent marginal drivers for the expansion of power systems. In most jurisdictions, the scaling-up of these technologies already poses material challenges for the transmission expansion, and strategies have been devised to adapt transmission planning to these challenges in various jurisdictions. The panel will cover several aspects of this adaptation, highlighting best practices and lessons learned by TSOs, governmental agencies in charge of planning, industry players and research centers from the USA, Latin America and Europe. Panelists with hand-on experience in these regions will offer insight on how transmission expansion planning strategies and methodologies, as well as the associated regulatory framework and the interfaces with distribution system operators, have adapted to a reality where distributed and variable energy resources are no longer a footnote on transmission expansion plans but rather a key element to be considered while planning for a economic, reliable and sustainable expansion of the power system.