Guide to electricity network design and planning – part 2

Abstract

This is part 2 of a three-part guide aimed at qualified engineers and/or graduates who are beginning their career in an electricity distribution network planning department, or perhaps moving into a planning role after some years in a different role (for example operations, maintenance or construction). The focus is on distribution rather than transmission planning. Nevertheless, the general principles are essentially similar, and since the distinction between the two is becoming increasingly blurred given the proliferation of distributed generation and energy resources, planning engineers new to either discipline should find the three parts of this guide useful. Part 2 covers legislation and regulation, quality of supply, engineering recommendations and technical reports, investment appraisal, low carbon transition, and innovation and smart grids. The two complementary parts of this guide are: Part 1 – which covers the general principles of network design and planning, security of supply, network design basics, voltage management, load forecasting, electrical losses, and analysis and modelling. It includes a useful 21-point check list which planning engineers may find useful when preparing proposals for network investment; and Part 3 – which covers the basics of protection and overall protection schemes.