A Highly Interactive Training Course On

Utility Distribution System Planning

Assuring Reliability and Cost Effectiveness

Utility Distribution System Planning
Course Schedule

CLASSROOM

04-08 Aug 2025
Dubai
$5,950
03-07 Nov 2025
Dubai
$5,950
Certificate
  • Coventry Academy Certificate of Completion for delegates who attend and complete the course

Training Overview

Training Overview

This Utility Distribution System Planning training course covers the essential process of planning an electrical utility distribution system to ensure adequacy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. The course begins with an overview of the distribution system and its basic equipment. It then delves into the planning process step-by-step, highlighting the importance of each stage in achieving the desired outcome. An in-depth examination of engineering economics ensures the cost-effectiveness of this capital-intensive infrastructure. The course also addresses the necessity of planning due to changes in load, including techniques for performing and interpreting load forecasts. Finally, methods for quantifying and measuring reliability will be discussed to accurately assess distribution reliability.

As utility customers increasingly demand higher reliability and lower costs, effective planning techniques are essential for meeting these expectations and positioning utilities to adapt to future requirements. This course presents proven planning methods that benefit both the utility and its customers.

This Coventry Academy training course will feature:

  • Distribution System and Equipment Overview
  • The Planning Process
  • Engineering Economics
  • Load Forecasting
  • Reliability Assessment

What are the goals?

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Specify optimum distribution system topologies and equipment
  • Conduct comprehensive planning studies
  • Perform the calculations necessary to economically justify system improvement projects
  • Implement and interpret load forecasts for distribution system studies
  • Quantify reliability and assess progress toward achieving reliability goals

Who is this Training Course for?

This training course is designed for utility or consulting engineers and technicians involved in the planning and/or design of distribution facilities.  If you are beginning a career in this area, this training course will be of great benefit to you. Prerequisite knowledge necessary to succeed in this course includes a basic familiarity with utility power distribution.

This Coventry Academy training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

  • Engineers and technicians new to the electric utility industry
  • Intermediate-level engineers and technicians responsible for utility distribution planning and design
  • Professionals involved with improving distribution system reliability
  • Utility engineers and consultants who conduct load forecasts and studies
  • Engineers tasked with assessing the performance of power distribution systems

How will this Training Course be Presented?

This Coventry Academy training course will utilise a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension, and retention of the information presented. This includes incorporating case studies and scenarios from numerous utilities as well as classroom exercises to engage the delegates in planning strategies and methods. Goals and objectives for a comprehensive system plan will be studied, balancing system performance with economics.  Increases in reliability will be deliberated and realistic means of achieving improved reliability goals will be explored.

The Course Content

Day One: System and Equipment Overview
  • System Objectives and Hierarchy
  • System Topologies and Service Areas
  • True System Costs
  • Substation Equipment
  • Feeder Equipment
  • The Need to Automate
Day Two: The Planning Process
  • Evaluation Methods and Criteria
  • Sensitivity Analysis
  • Planning Horizons
  • Planning Methods
  • Four-Step Process
  • Lead Times
Day Three: Engineering Economics
  • Time Value of Money
  • Cash Flow Constraints
  • Cost of Losses
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Asset Management
  • Reliability Centered Maintenance
Day Four: Load Forecasting
  • Objectives of Small-Area Load Forecasting
  • Informal Methods
  • Simple Trending
  • Sophisticated Trending
  • Simulation Methods
  • Putting it All Together
Day Five: Reliability Assessment
  • Definitions of Industry-Standard Reliability Terms
  • Reliability Indices
  • Relationship between System Protection and Reliability
  • Effects of Design and Operation on Reliability
  • Intelligent System Components
  • Reliability Improvement due to Automation