Planning Horizon
Distribution planning studies could be carried out in various manners, every with various objectives and requirements. Planning could be completed for various time horizons and accordingly it is known as medium/long-term planning or short-term planning.
Medium or Long-term Planning
Medium/long-term planning is generally carried out as a part of a master plan for the distribution system as a overall. It normally considers a 5 to 15 years time frame and is based on the state/national as well as local load forecasts, industrialization plan or agricultural load forecasts. The major objectives of this kind of plan are to:
- Verify the present capacity of lines and substations;
- Verify additional capacity and investments needs to meet the load growth for putting up new 33/11 kv substations, new 33 kv lines, 11 kv feeders and etc.;
- Arrange tie-ups for further power-purchase agreements;
- Upgrade the existing transmission capacity;
- Upgrade existing networks;
- Develop strategies for reduction of technical losses;
- Estimate the funds required; and
- Arrange tie-ups with the financial agencies for funds.