Planning distribution grids in a changing energy system

Distribution grids are moving to centre stage in the energy transition. They need to accommodate accelerating electrification and more distributed energy resources while supporting wider system and societal needs. This calls for a planning approach that looks beyond historical trends and confirmed demand to account for changing needs, growing interdependencies and multiple possible futures.

What is long-term distribution grid planning?

Distribution grids are the networks through which electricity reaches most homes, businesses and other users. They also connect growing amounts of distributed generation, storage and flexible demand. Countries define the boundary with transmission and organise responsibilities in different ways.

Long-term planning looks ahead to determine where, when and how the grid needs to develop. It covers new infrastructure, renewal and upgrades to existing networks, as well as digitalisation, smarter operation and flexibility. It draws on forecasts, scenarios, network analysis and information about asset condition.

Operational planning prepares the network for secure and reliable operation over shorter time periods. Real-time operation manages actual network conditions as they arise. Operational experience informs long-term planning, and long-term decisions shape the equipment and capabilities available to operators. This Knowledge Hub focuses on long-term planning and implementation.

Five shifts reshaping distribution grid planning

Explore why grid planning needs to become more proactive, adaptive, integrated and collaborative:

Summary

Taken together, these changes call for long-term distribution grid planning that is more proactive, adaptive, integrated and collaborative.

This involves making better use of existing capacity, drawing on flexibility and smarter operation where appropriate, and expanding and modernising grids when and where needed. It also means planning earlier and more strategically, assessing and managing risks, preparing for several plausible futures and coordinating grid planning with policy, spatial planning and investment decisions that influence where, when and how much grid capacity will be needed

The ISGAN Framework provides a shared structure for long-term distribution grid planning and implementation under uncertainty. It brings together five planning phases and three enabling conditions and highlights key actors and their relationships within the wider planning ecosystem.

Explore the Framework

Discover why collaboration matters, who shapes grid planning, what actors need to address together and how effective collaboration can support better-coordinated decisions and action.

Explore actor collaboration

Planning distribution grids in a changing energy system

Five shifts reshaping distribution grid planning

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