A utility planning method whereby alternative resource mixes, including demand-side and supply-side options, are evaluated in order to determine which resource plan minimizes the overall cost of service, subject to reliability and various other constraints.
A process by which utilities and regulatory commissions assess the cost of, and choose among, various resource options.
A planning process for new energy resources that evaluates the full range of alternatives, including new generating capacity, power purchases, energy conservation and efficiency measures, co-generation and district heating and cooling applications and renewable energy resources in order to provide adequate and reliable service to customers at the lowest system cost.
Planning of a community around a resource such as an energy plant. In such a plan, waste heat, fly ash, etc., may be utilized by the community, erasing much of the waste.
Also known as Integrated Resource Management, a planning process for new energy resources that evaluates the full range of alternatives, in order to provide adequate and reliable service to its customers at the lowest system cost. The alternatives can include new generation capacity, power purchases, energy conservation and efficiency, cogeneration and renewable energy resources. In a restructured electric industry there may be no mechanism to continue this process.
A public planning process and framework within which the costs and benefits of both demand and supply side resources are evaluated to develop the least total cost mix of utility resource options. In many states, IRP includes a means for considering environmental damages caused by electricity supply/transmission and identifying cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives. IRP has become a formal process prescribed by law in some states and under some provisions of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1992.
The process whereby federal, provincial, territorial and municipal resource management agencies consult each other and private sector interests to plan for the future use of natural resources including forests, minerals, fish, land, water, wildlife and other resources.
The management of two or more resources in the same general area, such as water, soil, timber, grazing land, fish, wildlife and recreation.
A process to control electric power planning through both demand-side management (to reduce the need or demand for electricity) and supply side management (to redistribute the types of needed electric generation among fuel types, location, etc.) to accomplish specified social and environmental goals.
