The Interface of Power: Moving Toward Distribution System Operators

The Deployment of a Distribution System Operator (DSO ) is becoming a necessity as a result of the distribution grid's increasing roles and functionalities to ensure an efficient and reliable delivery of electricity to emerging proactive customers. The preferences of customers have evolved as they are willing to have more control over their energy use and transactions with the utility grid. In parallel, there is a potential need for an intermediate entity between the independent system operators (ISO s) or regional transmission operators (RTOs) and distributed energy resource (DER) owners due to the limited visibility and control over the meter resources. A DSO may efficiently utilize DERs to improve system reliability and resiliency and reduce emissions and greenhouse gasses by resource diversification.