The objective of the proposed research is to address some of the challenges surrounding the operations planning problem at the power distribution level. Every power utility worldwide solves the operations planning problem to maximize benefits from energy resources while minimizing operating costs. Since the 2000s, there has been a critical need to reconcile competitive market rules with the physical laws governing the electricity grid, placing this issue at the forefront of research within the community. Historically, the traditional operation of distribution networks, encompassing circuits from a substation to a customer's premises, primarily focused on addressing non-technical faults in the system (such as trees touching energized power lines, lightning damaging equipment, and car crashes with poles) through actions like system reconfiguration, protections tripping, and voltage regulation. However, the rapid integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in distribution networks requires a paradigm shift from traditional operation. In particular, there is a pressing need for operations planning at the distribution level to maximize the benefits of DERs. Nevertheless, numerous operational complexities make tackling this problem especially daunting. This work addresses some of the key questions and uncertainties surrounding these challenges.