Funding entity National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
The Reference Network Model USA (RNM-US) is used to build a synthetic atlas of the distribution system of the Continental United States. The scale is immense with about 9,800 million km2, where the full distribution system is planned in detail from substations to low voltage consumers. The model designs the electrical equipment (power lines, transformers, switching devices, capacitors, voltage regulators, etc.) of the distribution system to deliver power to consumers, aiming to minimize system costs while complying with the technical and geographical constraints of every distribution area.
Layman's summary: The Reference Network Model USA (RNM-US) is licensed to NREL and support is provided to build a synthetic model of the distribution system of the entire Continental United States. The scale is immense with about 9,800 million km2, where the full distribution system is planned in detail from substations to low voltage consumers.
NREL-Atlas2040
