Integrated resource planning - a chance for the utilities and society

The paper is about different utitliy planning methods in the Electricity supply Industry. First, the traditional utility planning is shortly described, showing some problems. Then an integrated resource planning is introduced which integrates both demand- side options and different kinds of supply-side options. Finally the problem of utility planning is looked upon from the point of view of society, including the external costs of electricity production and consumption in the planning method. Then, a new least-cost optimum can be defined with lower electricity consumption and fewer environmental problems.