Streamlining the interconnection of advanced energy solutions to the grid

Interconnection is recognized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as a significant barrier in developing distributed energy resources (DER) and achieving statewide energy and emission goals. While interconnection of net energy metered (NEM) facilities has realized efficiencies, identically sized and similarly sited wholesale distributed generation (WDG) projects suffer from interconnection processes in investor-owned utility service territories that:

• Cost significantly more
• Take much longer
• Are far less predictable

Interconnection processes serve two fundamental purposes:

1. They provide a transparent and efficient means to interconnect generators to the electric grid.
2. They maintain the safety, reliability and power quality of the electric grid.

Federal and state regulators are faced with the challenge of keeping interconnection procedures updated against a backdrop of evolving technology, new codes and standards, and considerably transformed market conditions. The PAEC initiative seeks to educate policymakers and stakeholders on beneficial reforms that will keep interconnection processes efficient and cost-effective while maintaining a safe and reliable electric grid. The initiative also establishes a pilot to facilitate interconnection for WDG projects.

Reports on streamlining interconnection

• Best Practices: Interconnection for Local, Commercial-Scale, Renewable Energy Projects
• Design of Pilot for Testing Streamlined Interconnection Procedures

The Best Practices report recommends reforms to federal and state interconnection procedures to meet the demands of a growing national marketplace for solar and other DER that interconnect to the electric grid. Updating federal and state interconnection processes can have a significant, positive impact on the efficiency and transparency with which renewable energy systems are interconnected nationwide, which in turn can have a significant impact on the cost of meeting state energy policy goals and objectives.

The goal of the Pilot for Testing Streamlined Interconnection Procedures is to replicate the streamlined NEM interconnection process, timing, and pricing for qualified wholesale projects.

Webinar

• Streamlining the interconnection of advanced energy solutions to the grid (June 5, 2018)