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Deployment

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Interconnection Information Resources

Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Acrobat Reader.

Publications

  • An Introduction to Distributed Generation Interconnection — US Department of Energy, State of Wisconsin Division of Energy, Alliant Energy, and Unison Solutions, June 2004.
    • An Introduction to Distributed Generation Interconnection (PDF 1.1 MB)
    • Appendix 1: Wisconsin Distributed Generation Interconnection Guidelines (PDF 4.4 MB)
    • Appendix 2: PSCW Standard Distributed Generation Application Form (Generation 20 kW or Less) (PDF 236 KB)
    • Appendix 3: PSCW Distributed Generation Application Form (Generation of Greater Than 20 kW or to 15 MW) (PDF 524 KB)
    • Appendix 4: PSCW Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement (20 kW or Less) (PDF 702 KB)
    • Appendix 5: PSCW Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement (Generation 20 kW to 15 MW) (PDF 739 KB)
    • Appendix 6: Alliant Energy-WPL Tariff, Parallel Generation (in Excess of 20 kW) (PDF 2 MB)
    • Appendix 7: Alliant Energy-WPL Tariff, Parallel Generation (20 kW or Less) (PDF 1.4 MB)
    • Appendix 8: Alliant Energy Technical Guidelines for Interconnection of Parallel-Operated Generation Connected to the Distribution System (PDF 20 MB)
    • Appendix 9: Alliant Energy Distributed Generation Interconnection Request Form (PDF 1.3 MB)
    • Appendix 10: Alliant Energy Master Interconnection Agreement (PDF 9 MB)

  • Connecting Distributed Energy Resources to the Grid: Their Benefits to the DER Owner/Customer, Other Customers, the Utility, and Society (PDF 1.6 MB) — A survey of 162 U.S. DER installations, describing the owners' reasons for installing DER. February 2002.

  • Connecting Distributed Energy Resources to the Grid: Report Update (PDF 46 KB) — This update shows the survey results excluding demonstration units and installations for which there was incomplete information. March 2002.

  • Connecting to the Grid — Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

  • Connecting Your System to the Electricity Grid — From DOE's Consumer Guide to Renewable Energy.

  • Interconnection and Permitting Guide — DOE Federal Energy Management Program.

  • Interconnection Regulations for Non-Net-Metered Distributed Generation (PDF 279 KB) — Interstate Renewable Energy Council, July 2004.

  • Making Connections: Case Studies of Interconnection Barriers and Their Impact on Distributed Power Projects (PDF 1.8 MB) — DOE, July 2000.

  • March 2002 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruling providing fair access to utility transmission lines for wind plant owners in California -- See the American Wind Energy Association press release or read the full text of the ruling (PDF 36 KB).

  • Technical Assessment of Interconnection Issues

Databases

  • Interconnection Requirements for Distributed Generation — Despite the progress being made on generalized interconnection protocols, most DE developers today must negotiate interconnection agreements directly with local utilities or regional transmission organizations (RTOs). This site provides a detailed analysis of interconnection procedures and costs in more than a dozen states, covering state regulations and procedures for individual utilities or RTOs.

Toolbox

  • Distributed Generation Interconnection Tool Kit — The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has provided model interconnection agreements that can be customized to reflect local conditions. Other elements of the tool kit — covering rate design, customer education, and engineering guidelines — are intended to help electric utilities prepare DER-friendly interconnection policies.

  • Streamlining interconnection of DER to grid — Electric utilities have to screen, evaluate, and resolve project-specific interconnection issues. This involves time, resources, and site-specific assessments. EPRI has streamlined this process with a new software tool, the Distributed Resources Integration Assistant (DRIA). It helps engineers solve DER interconnection and integration issues in compliance with recommended utility guidelines and standards, such as IEEE 1547. Anyone can read the DRIA description, but only EPRI members can download the software.

International Regulations

  • European interconnection requirements — Analysis of electricity legislation in each country of the European Union. Includes information on the interconnection of distributed generators, with a focus on renewable energy systems. See the summaries or read the in-depth reports. Provided by ENER-IURE.

  • Canadian interconnection requirements — Canada's MicroPower Connect Interconnection Guideline (PDF 344 KB) establishes uniform requirements for the interconnection of distributed generators with the grid. Currently in final draft form, the document will be revised based on feedback from stakeholders.

Printable Version

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Content Last Updated: 05/17/2006

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