2002 FACTS Award Call for Nominations

The findings of research in distribution system planning methodologies indicate: discontinuity between the theory and practice of distribution system planning; set of new requirements for distribution system planning in the light of electricity industry restructuring and other developments in the industry and technology; lack of topical research in general distribution system planning methodologies focused on live utility requirements; and several immediate challenges for researchers and developers in distribution planning methodology. Some of the challenges in distribution system planning for the future have been noted in this letter and several more are added to the list. The future challenges for distribution system planning include: further development of techniques based on heuristics, cases, and tacit knowledge; incorporation of the multiple drivers in present-day electricity distribution planning (e.g., reliability, distributed generation, load, and condition); integration of planning techniques with other energy or utility service planning; incorporation of best practice in planning methodology; and consideration of customer needs in an environment of changing customer base under restructuring.