Welcome to Interconnection 101
CNY Solar Summit November 13, 2014 Albany, New York
Gary Gustin-Lead Technical Support Consultant
Technical Sales & Engineering Support
YTD Statistics
 Applications received Year to Date: 3,268 (1,330 total 2013)
 +225% Average Increase in applications
 Applications (2MWs): 95+
 Applications (CESIR- Detailed Study): 90+
 Applications ( Construction): 90+
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YTD Statistics: What we are
seeing
 Large Scale PV Systems 1.5 MW and up to 2 MW (Solar
Farms, majority being sited in rural areas)
 Multiple projects proposed on same parcel of land. NG will
review requests for more than one service to a premise.(per
ESB 750)
 Multiple projects are being installed on the same feeder at
the same time! An increase need to perform preliminary
studies and detailed studies (CESIR)
 System Upgrades to our infrastructure
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Standardized Interconnection
Requirements (SIR)
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Interconnection Materials
 NYS Standard Interconnection Requirements 2MW or less
(NYS SIR)
 Please consult our Electric System Bulletin 750 and its series
that are applicable to the interconnection process, particularly
the ESB 756 and its Appendix B.(New York Jurisdiction)
 National Grid Website (Distributed Generation Page)
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Standardized Interconnection
Requirements (SIR), cont
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SIR – Step 1 Initial Communication
 Communication could range from:
 General inquiry
Phone
Email(DistributedGenerationServices-NY@nationalgrid.com)
 Completed application
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SIR – Step 2 Inquiry Review
 Discuss scope with potential applicant
 Determine what specific information & documents required
 application
 Tech requirements
 Specifications
 Application fee
 Etc
 Utility to provide information & link to DG web site within 3
business days
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SIR – Step 3 Application Package
 Application fee - $350
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SIR - Step 3 Letter of
Authorization
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SIR - Step 3 Form K
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SIR - Step 3 Form K cont
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SIR – Step 3 Appendix B
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SIR – Step 3 Appendix B cont
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SIR – Step 3 Appendix B cont
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SIR – Step 3 Single/Three Line
Diagram
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SIR – Step 3 Single/Three Line
Diagram, cont
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SIR – Step 3 Single/Three Line
Diagram, cont
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SIR – Step 3 – Inverter Data
Sheets
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SIR - Step 3 Modules Data Sheets
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SIR – Step 3 – UL Listing of
Inverter
 List of certified equipment
 Found on PSC web site :
 http://www3.dps.ny.gov/W/PSCWeb.nsf/All/DCF68EFCA391
AD6085257687006F396B?OpenDocument
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SIR – Step 3 – UL Listing of
Inverter, cont
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SIR – Step 3 Test Procedure
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SIR – Step 3 Application Fee
 $350
 sent in with application
 Invoiced –will delay review process
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SIR – Step 4 Preliminary Review (15 business days)
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SIR – Step 4 Preliminary Review –
cont.
 Introduction
 Objective
 Background
 Feasibility of Proposed Interconnection
 Cost Estimate for Completing CESIR
 Preliminary Comments on Installation Compliance and
Requirements
 Revision History
 Attachments
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SIR – Step 4 Preliminary Review –
cont.
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SIR – Step 5 Applicant Commits
to CESIR
 Not applicable for this application
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SIR – Step 6 Utility Completes
CESIR
 Not applicable for this application
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SIR – Step 7 Applicant Commits to
Utility Construction of Utility
System Modifications
 Customer provides written acceptance of Preliminary review
 Customer pays cost estimate for engineering, witness
testing, & field verification
 Provides any revisions/updates as noted in preliminary
review.
 Conditional approval & Form K executed
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SIR – Step 8 Project Construction
 Applicant builds system in accordance with utility-accepted
design
 Utility will commence with construction/installation of utility
system including metering
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SIR – Step 9 Facility is Tested
 Verification tested performed by applicant in accordance with
test procedures provided by applicant & any site-specific
requirements indentified by the utility
 Conducted within 10 business days of complete installation
at a mutually agreeable time
 Utility shall be given the opportunity to witness the test
 If Utility opts not to witness the test, applicant shall send
results within 5 business days certifying system has been
installed & tested in compliance with the SIR, utility-accepted
design and equipments manufactures instructions
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SIR – Step 10 Interconnection
 Applicant facility allowed to commence parallel operation
upon satisfactory completion of tests
 Applicant shall comply with contractual and technical
requirements
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SIR - Step 11 Final Acceptance & Reconciliation
 If utility witnessed testing, within 10 business days utility will issue
a formal letter of acceptance or detailed explanation of deficiencies
 If utility did not witness tests, within 10 business days of receiving
written test notification utility will issue a formal letter of acceptance
or request to witness operation of DG system
 This test must be completed within 20 business days
 Within 10 business days of completion of tests, utility will issue
a formal letter of acceptance or detailed explanation of
deficiencies
 Utility will also reconcile its actual cost and bill for any balance due
or reimburse for overpayment
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Complex Projects: Construction
 Steps 1 through 4 must be completed
 Customer commits to go forward with CESIR (Full
Interconnect Study) by paying for CESIR as stated in the
Preliminary Study
 CESIR can take up to 60 Business Days (SIR requirements)
 CESIR Results: Conceptual Estimates for system upgrades,
construction timeline (8 – 12 months), and final technical
documents
 Commitment to go forward
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Post Interconnection Agreement (IA)
Coordination - Engineering, Procurement &
Construction Process (Overview)
Post IA Coordination - Engineering, Procurement &
Construction Process Overview
ISA Execution
IA
••Payment
Plan
Upfront Payment
• Kick-off Meeting
• Preliminary
Engineering
• Milestone Plan
Design
• Field Investigation
• Detailed Design
Sketches and
Specifications
• Construction grade
estimates
Procurement/ Permits
• Procuring Long Lead
items
• Securing Easements,
Right of Way access
and/or Environmental
permits/ licenses
Customer Interface: TSES, Customer Service and Customer Solutions
Engineering
Primary Meter
&
••Recloser
and Primary
Service
Meter Connection
• Company System
Updates
• Compliance
Verification
Construction
• Advanced notice for
scheduling
• Field Check
• Outage coordination
• Construction
Energization, Testing &
Commissioning
• Field Commissioning
and Energization
• Relay Test
• RTU Test
• Customer
Commissioning
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Steps in making the
Interconnection Process efficient
 Understand NYS Interconnection Requirements and Tariffs
 Review the applicable NY ESB Documents (Just because you did
projects in MA, does not mean the tech specs are the same in
NYS!!
 A complete and accurate interconnection application prevents
delays
 Understand the results of the interconnection studies and adhere to
the need for a response back to our questions
 COME TO US EARLY IN THE PROCESS FOR GUIDANCE!!!
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REV Proceedings
 Straw Proposal Results 9/2/14
 Proposed changes in the NYS Standard Interconnection
Requirements
 Joint Utilities formed a response committee to address
proposed changes in REV related to Distributed Generation
 JU filed a response on 9/16/2014
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REV Proceedings (Examples of
Proposed Changes )
 Increase NYS SIR to 5MW (include CHP net metering): JU has no
issue as long as timelines equal the size of the project.
 Standardized study review process for 5MW projects: JU argues
the larger projects become more complex and one size does not fit
all!
 Certain technologies should be exempt from interconnection
process:JU disagrees based on safety and reliabilty of electric
system could be effected
 Micro Grids should be separate from Interconnection process
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Questions?
Interconnection 101
THANK YOU!!
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