During the electric distribution load forecasting process, the electric utility will track peak loads, publish an annual long-range forecast and evaluate each feeder for annual growth (new loads). Feeder load aggregation may require expansion of existing or new substations.

An advanced project manager software module may be used for as-planned system configuration, so the planning engineer can manage time-based projects and assess multiple scenarios in a flexible framework.

A steady-state analysis with a load profile software module allows for time series load flow analysis based on modelled profiles created from available data sources.

A load allocation and estimation software module for traditional peak planning enables the electric distribution system planning engineer to develop an accurate load model by allocating feeder demands across the network based on transformer connected capacity, consumption and billing data or existing calculated load data.

Electric utility risk mitigation distribution planning determines N-0 and N-1 risks based on peak demand and available capacity in order to develop solutions such as demand management, new or reconductoring existing feeders and new or increased substation capacity.

A contingency assessment and restoration software module helps the electric distribution system planning engineer to prepare for the inevitable while managing day-to-day operations. Engineers can study what-if situations of a single outage on a radial system to establish an optimal switching plan.

A load flow contingency (N-p) software module assesses the future and manages day-to-day operations, enabling the planning engineer to study unlimited what-if scenarios of up to N-p contingencies to establish an optimal network operation in order to manage and assess expansion or modifications.

A network configuration optimisation software module can help the planning engineer reconfigure radial networks to an optimal topology through various switching configurations.

A load relief DER optimisation software module provides for highly efficient evaluation of load relief projects. The module determines the best sites and sizes for energy storage systems and dispatchable generation.

An optimal voltage regulator placement software module helps the engineer to find the optimal location for the voltage regulator, set the tap position and determine the amount of regulators needed to achieve the desired voltage regulation.

A techno-economic analysis software module can help to assure an optimal return on utility investments. Whether planning maintenance, replacements, improvements or expansions to a power system, the engineer can analyse the impacts of modifications made and the cost and gains they entail over the years.

Eaton's CYMDIST software module includes these functions:

Optimise circuit load balancing of the network by rephasing of lateral circuits; optimise based on objective to minimise kW losses, or balance the current, the load or the voltage; recommended rephasing based on selected objective and criteria; and circuit conditions presented before and after rephasing for neutral current, total losses (KW) average KVA and unbalanced factors.

Optimal capacitor placement and sizing to improve power factor or voltage and to evaluate switched versus fixed capacitor impact based on peak and minimum load levels.

Distribution safety planning entails designing, operating and maintaining an electric distribution system that does not risk safety to people.

A short-circuit analysis software module can help the electric distribution system planning engineer to ensure system safety by calculating fault currents, analysing contributions from multiple sources for a fault, assessing the effects of various short circuits on system voltage profile, selecting interrupting equipment, establishing protective settings and facilitating fault current assessment on system components.

A protective device analysis software module can allow the planning engineer to verify and enhance power system protection. This functionality includes overcurrent protection, fault analysis and sequence of operation.

An arc flash hazard software module can enhance safety efforts throughout the distribution system by generating study benchmarks for curves and points and analysing minimum faults and sequence of operation.

The advanced fault locator software module provides engineers with a rigorous method to calculate and visualise the possible fault locations on a detailed network model.

Electric distribution reliability planning goals are to provide the power the customer needs at a reasonable cost, maintain power quality and reduce SAIFI and SAIDI performance indices:

• SAIFI = system average interruption frequency index
• SAIDI = system average interruption duration index

A reliability analysis asset management software module can help the planning engineer to assess the historic performance of utility assets and predict future reliability of the electricity delivered to the end customer.

An optimal recloser placement software module helps achieve a better level of reliability by placing reclosers at optimal locations. System reliability can be improved by minimising outages through the addition of protective devices. 

Electric distribution system planning should include the effect DERs have on the grid such as available capacity, variability and risk mitigation.

An integration capacity analysis software module helps the electric distribution system planning engineer to determine the maximum allowable capacity that can be interconnected at any point of the network without compromising reliability and power quality.

The EPRI DRIVE module combines the engineering effort of the EPRI DRIVE engine with the Eaton CYMAE detailed distribution system model to analyse hosting capacity.

The steady-state analysis with the load profile software module conducts time series load flow analysis based on modelled profiles created from available data sources, enabling the engineer to exploit new data sources and improve use of existing data while accurately modelling loading conditions at any moment in time.

The time series long-term dynamics load flow analysis software module is based on expanded modelling of equipment to simulate variable phenomena in the seconds-to-minutes range. This modelling includes the intermittency effect of wind and cloud-over periods on the output of wind energy systems and photovoltaic (PV) generation and also allows the study of reserve capability of battery energy storage devices on the network.

Time series analysis based on expanded equipment modelling to simulate electromechanical transients. This software module uses the simultaneous implicit trapezoidal integration solution technique for network, machine and controller equations. The electric distribution system planning engineer can test the step response of controllers and user-defined models to verify ability to withstand abnormal events (e.g. faults, switching, load shedding). Initial voltage profile of the balanced and unbalanced network are computed with balanced power flow algorithms, namely the Newton Raphson or Fast Decoupled.