2026 Event Schedule

To address accelerating demand growth and distribution system constraints, Alectra Utilities is strengthening its approach to Non-Wires Solutions (NWS) through the development of more responsive and flexible customer programs. In collaboration with EPE, Alectra is modernizing how these programs are designed to better harness the potential of distributed energy resources (DERs) and defer the need for traditional infrastructure investments. These NWS programs are animated within a local flexibility market operated by the Distribution System Operator (DSO), enabling real-time alignment between grid needs and customer capabilities.

As utilities face increasingly complex load patterns—particularly during evening peaks when solar generation drops but demand remains high, as highlighted in the 2024 NERC Long-Term Reliability Assessment—there is a growing need for adaptable, market-integrated NWS frameworks. Alectra and EPE are developing tailored customer programs that feature localized delivery models, modular participation options, and scalable pricing structures. These are designed to reflect real-world system constraints while supporting diverse customer behaviors and operational priorities.

By reimagining NWS design within a DSO-enabled flexibility market, this initiative accelerates deployment, enhances DER integration, and supports a more resilient, efficient, and customer-centric grid.