Methodological Approaches to Project Monitoring in Multimillion-Dollar Electricity Distribution Programs
Wanqiu Chen , Exponent - Senior Associate - Construction Consulting Oakland, California, United StatesAbstract
This paper proposes innovative methodological approaches to project monitoring within the framework of multimillion-dollar programs aimed at modernizing electric distribution systems. The study is based on a comparative analysis of traditional deterministic planning methods and contemporary digital tools, including multidomain modeling and the integration of distributed energy resources (DER). It provides an in-depth review of existing methodologies, with a particular focus on the use of aggregated baseline scenarios, AC optimal power flow (AC OPF) methods, and the capabilities of network analysis platforms such as PSS®E, OpenDSS, and GridLAB-D. The identified research gap lies in the lack of a comprehensive approach that simultaneously addresses the technical, economic-regulatory, and digital dimensions of distribution system management. The purpose of the study is to examine methodological approaches to project monitoring within multimillion-dollar electricity distribution programs. The novelty of the work lies in offering a new perspective on the existing methodological practices applied to project tracking in such programs, made possible through the analysis of findings from previous research. The insights presented in the article are expected to be of interest to professionals in energy management and experts responsible for implementing large-scale electricity distribution programs, particularly those seeking to enhance project control, evaluation, and adjustment processes through the adoption of advanced methodological tools.
Keywords
distribution systems, distributed energy resources, DER, smart grid
References
Voloshin E. A. et al. Development of a Methodology for the Management of Electric Distribution Grids //2022 5th International Youth Scientific and Technical Conference on Relay Protection and Automation (RPA). – IEEE, 2022. – pp. 1-13.
Picard J. L. et al. Electric distribution system planning methodology considering distributed energy resources: a contribution towards real smart grid deployment //Energies. – 2021. – Vol. 14 (7). – pp. 1924.
Models for Distribution System Planning. [Electronic resource] Access mode: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/25880/chapter/7#49 (date of request: 30.03.2025).
Duk G.V., Bykov A.N., Chernyshev S.A. Review and application of auction theory in multy-agent systems // International journal of information technology and energy efficiency. – 2021. - Vol. 19 (1). - pp. 42-49.
Kazerani M., Tehrani K. Grid of Hybrid AC/DC Microgrids: A New Paradigm for Smart City of Tomorrow. In Proceedings of the IEEE 15th International Conference of System of Systems Engineering (SoSE). – 2020. - pp. 175–180.
Ismail S. M. A., Salama G. E. Components and Architecture of Project Management Information Systems: Exploring PMIS Dynamics //Project Management Information Systems: Empowering Decision Making and Execution. – IGI Global Scientific Publishing, 2025. – pp. 49-98.
Mahato S., Roy S. Optimizing defect rework for a software start-up’s schedule variation: a Six-Sigma-based approach //International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. – 2024. – Vol. 41 (10). – pp. 2549-2578.
Article Statistics
Copyright License
Copyright (c) 2025 Wanqiu Chen

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain the copyright of their manuscripts, and all Open Access articles are disseminated under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC-BY), which licenses unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is appropriately cited. The use of general descriptive names, trade names, trademarks, and so forth in this publication, even if not specifically identified, does not imply that these names are not protected by the relevant laws and regulations.