DER continues to integrate to the distribution system in a variety of ways, as behind-the-meter assets (either aggregated or stand-alone) and front-of-the-meter DER connected to the medium-voltage system, and in some cases operated as part of microgrids. Regional transmission organizations (RTOs) are at various stages of implementation of FERC Order 2222, which aims to remove barriers for participation of DERs in wholesale electricity markets, introducing the concept of aggregators with the goal of participating in wholesale market participation. Utilities responsible for planning and operation of the distribution systems will need to strategically assess how these trends will impact their business and evaluate the most appropriate architectures to seamlessly integrate and operate these systems in the most effective manner possible.

The panel will provide views from several different investor-owned utilities across three different RTOs to compare their perspectives in terms of how they are planning for the coming changes, what specific initiatives are underway, and learn how they see the impacts and growth within the medium-term. The moderator will then guide a discussion on specific topics around the different DER applications and how this should affect the operation of the distribution system of the future. Specific discussion points may include:

• How are DER aggregations expected to operate in different jurisdictions and what is being done to understand how to best coordinate their operation with distribution systems?
• With ADMS at various stages of deployment, how are DERMS, microgrids, and VPPs integrated into ADMS and how does it affect the advanced ADMS applications?
• What are some of the barriers or challenges that have been encountered with the deployment of these operating technologies, and what strategies have been devised to address these issues?
• Does the concept of hosting capacity or other DER planning need to be rethought in the context of DER aggregators for both PV and EV, and customer-owned storage?
• How do system operators gain situational awareness of DER aggregation, and can they influence the operation of these DERs in any way?
• Do aggregators have a role in power restoration after a storm or proactive de-energization to improve overall system resilience?