Long range spatial load forecasting using non-uniform areas

This paper presents a load forecasting method that yields results useful for power system planning at a substation level while significantly reducing data requirements and engineering time. The method couples existing system and load knowledge, load growth patterns and horizon year information to permit development of multiple scenarios for spatial load growth progression from existing land use patterns. The method greatly reduces the data and labor requirements when compared to traditional spatial load forecasting techniques. Additionally, the method requires only data to a level of detail consistent with the amount of forecast detail desired for a particular portion of the system.