EPRI Launches Distribution Forum: Driving Collaboration and Excellence in Electric Operations

For many years, groups within the electric power industry have existed to promote operational excellence in transmission, generation, and nuclear power, but until recently there was not a similar distribution-specific group. EPRI recently launched the Distribution Forum (DxF), a collective of leading distribution companies, which aim to drive excellence in the safe, reliable, resilient, and cost-effective operation of electric distribution companies. Distribution utilities are evolving quickly to serve increased demand and deliver services from distributed and customer resources in an environment of increasing weather extremes that challenge resilience.

The DxF provides a structured environment for members to exchange information, share lessons learned, and address industry challenges in a confidential environment. EPRI’s years of experience leading successful collaboratives and collective expertise in traditional and emerging distribution practices uniquely positions EPRI to facilitate the DxF. The DxF also benefits from synergies with EPRI research programs, leveraging resources, research results, and subject matter experts (SMEs). Similarly, EPRI research programs benefit from member companies identifying limits to existing capabilities that inhibit progress toward operational excellence, which can inform future research projects.