The Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG) has released a new publication, “Charging Ahead: Grid Planning for Vehicle Electrification,” that provides national-level insights on transportation electrification challenges that directly impact integrated distribution planning. The report outlines how coordinated planning that addresses the largest grid challenges can help instill confidence in long-term plans.

The 64-page report, compiled by ESIG’s Grid Planning for Vehicle Electrification Task Force, explores the challenges related to forecasting EV adoption, characterizing their locational and temporal impacts, identifying mitigations to avoid the largest impacts, and developing roadmaps and grid plans. It also lists priorities for effectively integrating vehicle electrification into grid planning.

“Transportation electrification is one of the biggest disruptors to the grid that we’ve seen over the last several decades,” said Debra Lew, associate director, ESIG. “It has the potential to significantly grow load, but more importantly, will impact the distribution system quickly and at locations that the grid may not be prepared for. This report explores considerations for grid planning during a time of high uncertainty and best practices going forward.”

Access the report, relevant to utilities, utility regulators and other state decision-makers, EV manufacturers, charge station operators, aggregators, and other technical experts, on ESIG’s website.