3. Discussions of Specific Topics
3.1 Regulatory Environment Affecting Distribution Utilities
3.1.1 Regulatory Structures
3.1.2 Challenges for Regulatory Activities with New Distribution Automation and DER Systems
3.1.3 US Renewable Portfolios
3.2 Current Distribution Planning and Operational Procedures
3.2.1 Typical Radial Distribution System Design
3.2.2 Secondary Network Distribution System Design
3.2.3 Distribution Planning Tools
3.2.4 Typical Distribution Operations
3.2.5 Distribution Management Systems (DMS)
3.2.6 Distribution Automation (DA), Outage Reductions, and Voltage Management
3.3 Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Impacts on Distribution Systems
3.3.1 Types and Characteristics of DER Systems
3.3.2 Technical Challenges Associated with High Penetrations of Renewable DER
3.3.3 Technical Benefits Associated with High Penetration of Renewable DER
3.3.4 Coordination of DER Systems and Voltage Management Equipment
3.4 DER Capabilities and DER System Architectures
3.4.1 Overview of Advanced “Smart Inverter” Capabilities
3.4.2 Hierarchical Architecture of Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
3.4.3 Typical Interconnection Processes for DER
3.4.4 Distribution Energy Storage Systems (DESS)
3.4.5 Microgrids and “Nanogrids”
3.4.6 Electric Vehicles with V1G and V2G Capabilities
3.5 Examples of DER Grid Codes for Advanced Functions
3.5.1 European 2003 Blackout and Updated Grid Codes
3.5.2 California’s Rule 21 Grid Code Update
3.5.3 Hawaiian Grid Codes
3.5.4 PJM and Other ISOs Use of DER Frequency-Watt Function
3.5.5 Impact on Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs)
3.6 Distribution Resource Planning With DER Systems
3.6.1 Distribution Resource Planning Process in California
3.6.2 "More Than Smart" Distribution Planning Principles
3.6.3 Distribution Management Systems and Distribution Automation
3.6.4 Smart Meters Data for Distribution System Planning
3.7 DER Interconnection and Communication Standards and Technologies
3.7.1 Interoperability for Distribution Utilities
3.7.2 IEEE 1547 Status
3.7.3 UL 1741 and IEC 62109 Certification Testing
3.7.4 IEC 61850 as Information Model for DER
3.7.5 IEC 61970/61968 Common Information Model (CIM)
3.7.6 Distribution Utility Communication Requirements
3.7.7 Smart Grid Communication Protocol Standards
3.8 Cyber Security Issues Affecting Distribution
3.8.1 Cyber Security Vulnerabilities and Attacks
3.8.2 Cyber Security Requirements
3.8.3 Cyber Security Risk Mitigation Categories
3.8.4 Cyber Security Standards
3.8.5 Resilience and Cyber Security
3.9 Environmental Regulatory Issues
3.9.1 Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
3.9.2 Emissions Trading (Cap-and-Trade)
3.10 Tariff and Market Issues
3.10.1 Time of Use (TOU) and Tier Pricing
3.10.2 Load Control (LC)
3.10.3 Demand Response (DR)
3.10.4 DER and Net Metering
3.10.5 Feed-in Tariffs Concepts
3.10.6 Retail Energy Market Concepts and Structures
3.10.7 Transactive Energy Concepts
3.10.8 Market Fairness Issues