Recommendations for Preparation of a Distributed Energy Resources Plan or Roadmap

Distributed energy resource (DER) maps can help government planners and regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders make better decisions on distributed energy investment and use. DER—which can include distributed generation, transmission and distribution grids, energy storage, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, demand response, and energy efficiency—can have benefits for utilities, power markets, and end users. A DER roadmap is a planning study, guidance document, or action plan that can help stakeholders make better and informed decisions on investing in and using DER. A roadmap can help utilities develop consensus on objectives, targets, technologies, and location-specific priorities.

The Climate Economic Analysis for Development, Investment, and Resilience (CEADIR) Activity recommended a three-phase approach for the DER plan or roadmap process: 1) preliminary work to secure buy-in and sponsorship, stakeholder mobilization, scoping, data collection and analysis, and communications; 2) formulating a DER plan; and 3) conducting a follow-up activity to implement and update the roadmap. In this report, it also identifies key themes and policy challenges facing DER investment, implementation, and expansion of DER both in the United States and worldwide.