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Technical Assessment of Interconnection Issues
Obtaining approval to interconnect distributed generation systems with the electric power system can be challenging. In this project, researchers will conduct interviews with utilities, manufacturers, system integrators, and electricity customers to determine trends in the interconnection process and develop recommendations for overcoming challenges.
The following links are presentations that summarize this work to date. Pursue them to learn more.
- Technical Assessment of Current Interconnection Experience. Presented at the Distribution and Interconnection R&D Annual Review, 2003, in Arlington, Va. (PDF 418 KB) Download Acrobat Reader.
- Technical Assessment of Current Interconnection Experience. Presented at the Distributed Power Program Quarterly Review, July 2002, in Madison, Wis. (PDF 1.9 MB) Download Acrobat Reader.
Other Interconnection Activities
A number of industry, federal, and state organizations have efforts under way to make interconnection less cumbersome. The activities of a few of the organizations focusing on distributed generation interconnection issues are described below.
- The Interstate Renewable Energy Council Interconnection Project
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), with the support of DOE, has developed a Web site to keep consumers, utilities, government, and regulatory bodies abreast of the latest issues involving interconnecting photovoltaic systems with the utility grid. The site features the Interconnection Newsletter, published by the North Carolina Solar Center, and technical reports on issues related to interconnection of renewable technologies to the electric grid. The site also contains information about state interconnection policies, existing interconnection guidelines, and model interconnection contracts.
- Distributed Power Coalition of America (DPCA)
DPCA is an advocacy organization of more than 60 member utilities, consumers, manufacturers, electricity marketers, and research groups committed to advancing the use of distributed power. The organization, which was formed in 1997, is focusing on the following issues to promote the development of a robust national market for distributed resources:
- Streamlining permitting processes
- Encouraging the development of fair pricing for transmission
- Developing balanced mechanisms for recovery of stranded costs.
- National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)
NARUC has established a Renewable and Distributed Resources Subcommittee of its Energy Resources and the Environment Committee. As part of its activities in the area of distributed generation, NARUC has sponsored two research studies addressing the regulatory and institutional issues related to distributed power technologies. The NARUC Electric Reliability Subcommittee has published a report, "Profits and Progress Through Distributed Resources" (PDF 248 KB), that is available online.
- Edison Electric Institute (EEI)
EEI has established a task force on distributed resources that is focusing on interconnection issue. To date, the task force has analyzed a broad range of interactions between distributed resources and the distribution system in support of IEEE's efforts to develop national interconnection standards.
- California Alliance for Distributed Energy Resources (CADER)
CADER was created to help understand and expand the role of distributed resources in California. CADER has established an interconnection subcommittee (INCOM) to monitor and develop interconnection standards (in coordination with the national standards being developed by IEEE) that will allow distributed energy resources to be deployed on the grid system within California.
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