Demand-side resources prioritization in distribution local IRP

A feeder-specific expansion investment plan of a distribution utility is analyzed for exploiting demand-side resource options using feeder- and time-specific marginal costs. The study found that with a utility-led demand-side management program where the utility shoulders the up-front capital and administrative costs while benefits are equally shared between the utility and participating customers, idle customer-owned standby diesel generating sets together with efficient cooling and lighting technologies appear as a viable options to meet current and projected demand. Demand-side resources prioritization based on their impact to monetary and nonmonetary criteria (reliability, voltage quality and environmental) is accomplished with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. The customers´ perception to each of the given decision criteria are solicited through customer survey