Demand-side resources prioritization in distribution local IRP

A feeder-specific expansion investment plan of a distribution utility is analyzed for exploiting demand-side resource options using feeder- and time-specific marginal costs. The study found that with a utility-led demand-side management program where the utility shoulders the up-front capital and administrative costs while benefits are equally shared between the utility and participating customers, idle customer-owned standby diesel generating sets together with efficient cooling and lighting technologies appear as a viable options to meet current and projected demand. Demand-side resources prioritization based on their impact to monetary and nonmonetary criteria (reliability, voltage quality and environmental) is accomplished with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. The customers' perception to each of the given decision criteria are solicited through customer survey.