In this video, Luigi Montana (CEO, envelio, Inc.) explores why grid flexibility needs to start with planning—and how moving from peak-based to time-series-based planning can help utilities better use existing grid capacity, enable flexible interconnection, and plan for growing demand.
As electrification, data centers, and new commercial and industrial loads increase demand on distribution systems, utilities need ways to accommodate new load while making efficient use of existing infrastructure. Flexible interconnection can help by allowing customers to operate within defined limits—for example, reducing consumption during constrained periods or following agreed schedules—instead of requiring firm capacity during every hour of the year.
Realizing the potential of flexibility requires a shift in distribution system planning. Rather than planning primarily around peak conditions, time-series-based planning allows utilities to evaluate how loads and other assets behave throughout the year. An 8760 analysis, for example, can provide an hourly view of grid conditions and help planners understand when constraints occur and where flexibility could play a role.
Scaling this approach requires utilities to make effective use of the data they already have. AMI and SCADA measurements can inform load profiles, while fast, precise power flow calculations support analysis across thousands of hours and multiple future scenarios.
For utilities looking to implement time-series-based planning, Luigi highlights three core requirements:
A strong data foundation that makes existing measurement data usable for planning
The right solvers to run large-scale simulations with the required speed and precision
The ability to evaluate a wide range of scenarios to account for different possible futures
Explore how utilities can move from peak-based to time-series-based planning with the Intelligent Grid Platform (IGP).