Summary Overview:MADRI Model Small

Generator Interconnection Procedures

Prepared by Brad Johnson*June 15, 2006

ACN Energy Venturesbwjohnson@acninc.net

*National Renewable Energy Laboratory Subcontractor

MIDWEST INTERCONNECTION WORKSHOP

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What is the Mid-Atlantic Distributed Resources Initiative (MADRI)?

• Five PJM jurisdictions• Regional approach to

DR, DG, & Efficiency• Facilitated stakeholder

process with open mtgs• Support from US DOE

– also EPA, FERC, PJM

• MADRI ‘working group’ meets every 6-8 weeks

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MADRI InitiativesInclude:

Advanced metering infrastructure ‘AMI Toolkit’ for state regulatorsPUC briefings

Model regulatory structures to promote distributed energy resources (DER)

Model dynamic pricing tariff (in progress)Model revenue stability mechanism (in progress)

Effort to enhance DER business caseMitigation of wholesale market price spikesDistribution system value of DER

Model Interconnection Procedures

For more info: www.energetics.com/madri/

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MADRI Interconnection Goals

• Develop standardized set of procedures for states to consider - not intended to be prescriptive

• Ensure consistency with IEEE 1547 technical standards

• Ensure participation from major stakeholders:– PJM, state PUCs, state energy offices, NREL, DG

providers & associations, utilities, NEMA were all active– Others participated occasionally, e.g. Chesapeake Bay

Commission, Drexel University

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MADRI Model Procedures Based on FERC and NJ Rules• NJ Interconnection Rules (October ’04)

– Paved new ground for expedited review procedures– Introduced timelines for utility reviews– Integrated testing & certification requirements

• FERC Small Gen Rules (May ’05)– Culmination of multi-year national stakeholder

process– Included a number of key aspects of the NJ rules– In spite of limited jurisdiction, rule represents broad

consensus and is good blueprint for states

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MADRI Procedures Overview

• Four Categories of Review– Level 1 <10kVA Inverter Based/Certified– Level 2 <2 MVA Inverter Based/Certified– Level 3A – DG Does Not Export Power– Level 3 – Up to 10 MVA

• Reference to PJM Small Generator Technical Requirements (IEEE 1547 Based)

• Procedures to Connect to Area Networks• Criteria for Testing & Certification• Two Standard Interconnection Agreements

– 10 KVA and Less– > 10 KVA to 10 MVA

Expedited

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MADRI SummaryGeneral Interconnection Provisions…

• Applicability – 10MVA or less operating in parallel

• Fees – “nominal” fee for <10kVA, cost based for rest

• Technical Standard – “PJM Small Generator Technical Requirements” (essentially IEEE 1547)

• Isolation Device – must be readily accessible lockable, visible-break (or customer provides lockbox for utility access)

• Multiple DG Units – interconnection request evaluated based on total aggregate capacity

• Increase in Capacity for Existing System – new agreement based on total aggregate capacity

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MADRI SummaryLevel 1 Procedures (What qualifies)

• <10kVA• Inverter-based• Certified interconnection equipment• Does not connect to Area Network

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MADRI SummaryLevel 1 Procedures (Technical Screens)

Level 1 Technical Screen MADRI Section

Type of Facility Interconnecting To Capacity Restriction Other Requirements

4.3.1 Radial feeder < 15% of Line Section Annual Peak

4.3.2 Spot Network < 5% of max load & < 50 kVA

4.3.3Single phase shared secondary < 20 kVA

4.3.4Center tap neutral of 240 volt service Max of 20% imbalance

4.3.5 New facilitiesNo new construction allowed

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MADRI SummaryLevel 1 Procedures (Timeline)

Days1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

EDC acknowledges receipt/completenessEDC evaluates installation/approves/Provides AgreementConstruction/Inspection (COC)/Cust Signed AgreementWitness Test / Interconnection Finalized

MADRI Level 1Timelines

Equipment Installation

(Time Varies)

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15

10

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MADRI SummaryLevel 2 Procedures (What qualifies?)

• <2 MVA• Projects that fail Level 1 review• Inverter-based• Certified interconnection equipment• Does not connect to Area Network

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MADRI SummaryLevel 2 Procedures (Technical Screens)

Level 2 Technical Screen MADRI Section

Where DG Facility Interconnects Capacity Restriction Other Requirements

5.3.1 Radial feeder < 15% of Line Section Annual Peak

5.3.2 Spot Network < 5% of max load & < 50 kVA

5.3.7 Single phase shared secondary < 20 kVA

5.3.8 Center tap neutral of 240 volt service Max of 20% imbalance

5.3.3 Any point on distribution system

Can not contribute to more than 10% of maximum Fault Current

5.3.4 Any point on distribution system

Can not exceed 90% of short circuit interupting capability of protection equipment

5.3.5 Transmission line Not allowed

Area of system with known transient stability limitations

Total of all generation units in the area can not exceed 10 MVA

5.3.10 New facilities No new construction allowed

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MADRI SummaryLevel 2 Procedures (Timeline)

MADRI Level 2 TimelineDays

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Equipment Installation 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 ##

EDC acknowledges receipt & completeness

EDC evaluates installationConstruction/Inspection (COC)/Cust Signed AgreementWitness Test / Interconnection Finalized

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(Time Varies)

10

10

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• <50kVA• Certified inverter• Reverse power

relays• < 5% of max load on

circuit or 50 kVA• No new facilities

• < 10 MVA• All generation on

circuit < 10 MVA• Reverse power relays• Dedicated transformer• No new facilities

MADRI SummaryLevel 3A Procedures (What qualifies?)

Area Network Radial Feeder

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MADRI SummaryLevel 3A Procedures (Technical Screens)

• <10kVA to Area NetworkSame as Level 1

• 10kVA – 50 kVA to Area NetworkSame as Level 2

• Connects to radial feederSame as Level 2

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MADRI SummaryLevel 3A Procedures (Timelines)

• <10kVA to Area NetworkSame as Level 1 except EDC has an additional

20 days to conduct Area Network impact study• 10kVA – 50 kVA to Area Network

Same as Level 2 except EDC has an additional 25 days to conduct Area Network impact study

• Connects to radial feederNot specified – most of assessment expected

to be related to looking at potential fault currents

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MADRI SummaryLevel 3 Procedures (What qualifies?)

• Projects from 2 –10 MVA• Projects less than 2MVA that:

Are not CertifiedAre non-inverter based

• Projects not approved under Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3A reviews

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MADRI SummaryLevel 3 Procedures (Elements of review process)

• Scoping Meeting to review interconnection request and existing studies

• Feasibility Study to review short circuit capability limits; identify thermal or voltage limits; grounding requirements; non-binding estimate of facilities cost

• System Impact Study to evaluate the safety and reliability impacts

• Facilities Study to estimate cost of equipment, engineering, procurement and construction work

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MADRI SummaryLevel 3 Procedures (Timeline Elements)

• Interconnection Request – EDC sends notice on status of completeness 10 days after receiving request, if deficient, customer has 10 days to complete

• Scoping Meeting held within 10 days of receiving notification of completed interconnection request

• Feasibility Study agreement provided within 5 days of determination that it is necessary

• System Impact Study agreement provided within 5 days of determination that it is necessary

• Facilities Study agreement provided within 5 days of determination that it is necessary

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• Presumption is That it Should be Safe to Connect to Area Network if:– No Export of Power– DG<5% of Peak Load on Network Up to 50 KW

• Burden is on Utility to Conduct Study Showing That DG is Not Safe

• Study is at Utility Expense

MADRI SummaryConnecting To Area Networks

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• MADRI Made Significant Progress in Integrating 1547 Technical Requirements with 1547.1 Testing Requirements and Clearly Defines Certification Requirements to Qualify for Expedited Reviews

• This Integration is Key to Successful Implementation of Screens and Will Help Ensure Greater Standardization Among State Interconnection Procedures

MADRI InsightTesting & Certification

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COMPARISON OF KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN

MADRI & FERC INTERCONNECTION

REQUIREMENTSPREPARED BY

BRAD JOHNSON6/08/05

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Comparison of MADRI and FERC Interconnection Technical Requirements

1. Isolation Device – Required. Must be accessible, lockable visible break type device; alternatives for customer to use lockbox to provide access

2. Generation may not cause protective equipment to exceed 90% of short circuit rating

1. Isolation device not specifically required

2. Generation may not cause protective equipment to exceed 87.5% of short circuit rating

MADRI < 10 MVA FERC < 20 MVA

References PJM Small Generator MinimumTechnical Requirements – Based on IEEE1547 With Clarification Notes

References IEEE 1547

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Comparison of MADRI and FERC Interconnection Processes

• Level 1 (<10kVA) & Level 2 (<2 MVA) interconnections require inverters & Certified interconnection equipment

• No impact assessments by EDC for Level 1 & 2. Limited impact assessment for 3A

• Level 1& 2 & 3A must satisfy impact technical screens

• Level 3A ( <10 MVA) Provisions for Area Networks & non-exporting systems

• Level 3 – study process for all other systems < 10 MVA (virtually identical to FERC/PJM)

• Streamlined application for <10kVA requires Certified inverter based equipment

• Super-expedited for Certified interconnection equipment < 2 MW (does not have to be inverter based)

• Study process for all other systems < 20 MVA (virtually identical to MADRI/PJM)

• No impact assessments for 1 & 2 above but must satisfy impact technical screens

• No provisions comparable to MADRI Level 3A

MADRI (<10 MVA) FERC (<20 MVA)

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MADRI ComparisonLevel 1 Timelines

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MADRI ComparisonLevel 2 Timelines

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Comparison of MADRI & FERC Interconnection Fees

FERC Interconnection FeesMADRI Interconnection Fees

1. Level 1 Interconnection Request Nominal fee (<$100)

2. Level 2, 3A, 3 Interconnection Request

Cost based fee To be established by

appropriate state regulatory body

3. Level 3 Studies Interconnection customer

responsible for all costs incurred for any interconnection studies

1. Level 1 Interconnection Request $100 processing fee

2. Fast Track Process (Comparable to MADRI Level 2)

$500 processing fee3. Level 3 Studies

Lesser of $1,000 deposit or 50% of estimated cost of feasibility study at time of interconnection request

Interconnection customer responsible for all costs incurred for any required interconnection studies