The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is working with state regulators, the utility industry, energy services companies, and technology developers to determine the functional requirements for a modern distribution grid that are needed to enhance reliability, resilience, and operational efficiency, and to integrate and utilize distributed energy resources (DERs). DERs, as used in this report, include distributed generation, distributed energy storage, energy efficiency, demand response, and electric vehicles (EVs).

The Modern Distribution Grid Report is a four-volume set intended to develop a consistent understanding of requirements to inform investments in grid modernization. The requirements include those needed to support grid planning, operations, and markets. Volume I, “Customer and State Driven Functionality” provides a taxonomy of functional requirements derived from state policy objectives and includes a discussion of grid architecture. Volume II, “"Advanced Technology Maturity Assessment,” examines the maturity of technology needed to enable the functions presented in Volume I. Volume III is a decision guide” that presents considerations for the rational implementation of advanced distribution system functionality. Volume IV provides guidance on strategy and implementation of grid modernization plans.

Volume I   |   Volume II   |   Strategy and Implementation Guidebook   |   Resources

Volume I defines the functional scope for a modern grid platform. This functional articulation employs a taxonomy framework to logically organize the required capabilities and functions for the grid modernization policy objectives and related system attributes of states based on policy papers and the input of sponsoring commissions. This volume also includes grid architecture context, a comparative assessment of industry architectural applications, and priority use case scenarios identified by the sponsoring state commissions. Volume I extensively uses existing industry references and has undergone industry peer review from a representative group of utilities, DER service providers, technology firms and research organizations.

Download Volume I: Customer and State Policy Driven Functionality    
Download revised Volume I: Objective Driven Functionality

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Volume II consists of a taxonomy of technologies in relation to functions and elements identified in Volume I. This provides the basis for a survey of current commercial technology availability and development. The market assessment identifies the gaps between existing commercial technologies and the needed grid functions and elements to implement specific aspects of a modern grid. This volume also identifies functionality gaps regarding related technical standards and protocols.

Download Volume II: Advanced Technology Market Assessment    
Download revised Volume II: Advanced Technology Maturity Assessment

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Strategy and Implementation Guidebook serves as a reference document for regulators at the state and community levels who are involved in directing or approving grid modernization plans prepared by utilities. This guidebook presents four key concepts to consider within modern-day distribution system planning processes: well-articulated objectives, the larger integrated distribution planning process, use of a systems engineering approach, and proportional deployment strategies. The planning guidance in this volume resulted from numerous discussions with both regulators and utilities, with the intention of formulating a consistent set of practices that can facilitate discussions and decisions between  stakeholders. 

Download draft Strategy and Implementation Planning Guidebook: This file was part of a four-volume series, but is now referred to as the Strategy and Implementation Guidebook. View the Related Resources page for legacy Volume III.

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Resources related to the Modern Distribution Grid Report.

• Presentation for the California Public Utilities Commission Grid Modernization workshop 1/24/2017
• Presentation for the Distributech conference 2/1/2017