We adjust the load shapes to the individual network peak demand and energy send-out forecasts, including the projected DER impacts, such that the forecast includes the impact of load modifiers. That meant solar developers had zero access to critical power grid connection information, substation status, and other local solar plant connections. In summary, there are 5 things we ask of the Commission: Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for taking up this important conversation; we appreciate that there has not been any legislative preemption of this regulatory process. Tips & Tools for Lowering Your Energy Bill, Savings for Multifamily Building Managers, Savings for Small-Medium Business Customers. You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. For more on LSRV, VDER and the Value stack, visit our Private Generation Tariffs page. If you are considering the option of connecting a generator to a utility's electric distribution system, you must meet certain requirements before moving forward. Find out about our Hosting Capacity platform and system data available. To its merits, ILSR offers the following question to Xcel Energys refusal to follow Commission orders: as several members of the Hosting Capacity Analysis and Distribution Grid Data Security Workshop pointed out, both New York and California IOUs disclose feeder lines on their hosting capacity maps. That meant solar developers had zero access to critical power grid connection information, substation status, and other local solar plant connections. Share to Facebook. Fax 905-686-1078 Be aware of your private generation configuration options and system limitations. The Company, after being directed by the Commission to do so, has declined to provide the actual locations of distribution system lines in its 2020 hosting capacity report: In Order Pt. email the ComEd DER Interconnection team. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Xcel could do more to advance toward the ultimate goal: delivering its customers more cost-effective clean energy by integrating hosting capacity analysis with the interconnection process. In the same ruling, Xcel was ordered to create a better process for addressing interconnection complaints (by June 2021). Some locations within the PECO service territory have greater potential to support such interconnections than others. The LSRV is an added credit for DER installations in eligible areas where the utility grid would benefit from additional generation capacity. However, printable, mailable forms are available: Ifmailing in your forms,the completed application and associated fees (in the form of a check or money order, only; do not send cash) should be sent to the following address: ComEdAttn: Interconnection Services Department2Lincoln Center, 9th FloorOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181Email our Interconnection Team1-630-576-8158, This document provides guidance and technical standards applicable to Interconnection Customers planning to install and operate a generator interconnected to the ComEd distribution system. Properly designed, the hosting capacity maps offer the ability to look closely at our power grid resources. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled. Each utility has a set of rules and disclaimers governing the information they release, and what that information represents on their maps. For the Stage 2 displays, each circuit's hosting capacity is determined by evaluating the potential power system criteria violations as a result of large PV solar systems with an AC nameplate rating starting at and gradually increasing from 300 kW interconnecting to three phase distribution lines. In this role, she contributes to blog posts, podcasts, video content, and interactive features. Xcel should be encouraged to update the hosting analyses monthly, or simply more regularly, he said. For example, Minnesotas community solar program is on track to reach one gigawatt of generation capacity as early as 2022 and ILSR predicts the development of an additional 475 megawatts of residential solar by 2034. Implementing energy-efficient equipment can help you save money and cut your energy consumption by 2040%.*. PECO is committed to providing safe and reliable service for customers while also supporting the interconnection of customer-owned renewable energy and Distributed Energy Resources (DER), like solar. Each quarter section is further subdivided into sixteenth-sections (1/4 mile X 1/4 mile). The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. These values are representative of the total amount of DG that is installed on the feeders and networks associated with the area substation. Most of these projects wont need high-voltage transmission lines, but instead can connect to the grid directly where customers are using power, or where there is excess capacity. If specific system impact studies are required, and ComEd system modifications are found to be necessary, the study results will include an indicative cost estimate for the system modifications to accommodate the DER. The Commission should set a deadline and intermediate goals for the ultimate integration of hosting capacity analysis with the interconnection process. However, if the Commission does not apply greater pressure for action, hosting capacity may continue to be a largely performative exercise without providing tangible benefits to Minnesota stakeholders and electric customers. This article originally posted atilsr.org. Computer Room Air Conditioning Unit (CRAC) Older equipment can cost your facility more money on energy costs and maintenance. Interconnection Guidelines(pdf). Synchronous Generation and System Fault Current Limitations. New CRAC units are energy efficient, so youll not only effectively cool your IT closet, youll save on energy and maintenance costs, too. Southern California Edison provides one such example of a more thorough hosting capacity map that includes criteria violation values. . hosting capacity map can help you identify potential sites for the interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) to ComEd's distribution circuits. While hosting capacity analysis can be valuable as a data point, it could be an even better tool for distributed solar adoption. Whether you're a customer, contractor, or developer, our interactive Xcel has since written should the Commission determine it is in the public interest for the Company to advance and mature the HCA to be conducted more frequently and/or to integrate with the interconnection process, the Company would refine cost and timing estimates. The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program is funded in compliance with state law. The maximum (peak) load hourly profile curve and minimum (light) load hourly profile curve are plotted on a single graph along with the capacity (in MW) of the substation supplying that network. Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. This is necessary, because developer complaints have continued to the present. Multiple states require electric utilities to share their power grid data with solar developers. But the inefficient air conditioning units preventing your servers from overheating may be costing you more in energy costs and maintenance fees every month. The Hosting Capacity Map shows a considerable disparity among communities in mile by mile sections with some able to host only 100-200 kWs to some with capacities of over 3,000 kW. The Department finds that hosting capacity maps can inform the interconnection process and can be a useful tool for interconnecting customers to identify low-cost/no-cost interconnection locations or otherwise inform their investment decisions. As raised in a July 2020 Order by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, an improved hosting capacity analysis could be used to streamline the interconnection process of plugging solar into the electric grid. Learn about the benefits of installing solar, along with local and private generation specs and incentives. However, the interconnection process stands to gain much more from hosting capacity analysis. 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Seven states now require utilities to produce solar hosting capacity maps: California, Nevada, Minnesota, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut, according to Yochi Zakai, an attorney at Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, LLP, who wrote the IREC paper and represents IREC in state proceedings. The utility will also have to provide downloadable data of line segments with limitations they may have for adding capacity at different connection spots. This data can be accessed by selecting a feeder or network on the mapping display and advancing to the associated data pane. Head over to BusinessTypes or PublicSector for energy-reducing ideas specific to your organization. The next step beyond ensuring accuracy and actionability is automating interconnection applications based on specific map grid circuits and line sections, with click and claim capabilities that link these maps with automated interconnection portals. According to ComEd's description, "Hosting Capacity is an estimate of the amount of DER [distributed energy resources] that may be accommodated under current configurations at the overall circuit level without significant system upgrades to address adverse impacts to power quality or reliability." Here are a few upgrades you can implement to help you get started: Airflow management - Reduce energy use up to 20% by preventing cool supply air from mixing with the hot air released from IT equipment. Once the map is displayed, use the address search tool bar in the top left corner to zoom into a specific address. A legend can also be found in the top left corner of the map. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled. Your email address will not be published. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. The Commissions July 2020 order, in response to Xcel Energys 2019 Hosting Capacity Analysis (HCA) Report, found that improved and additional information will be necessary in future reports and provided the Commissions direction for future HCA reports. In this order, the Commission determined that Xcel should publish the actual locations of distribution system lines because giving customers and developers access to more precise data would allow them to make informed decisions about whether to pursue a project before investing significant time or resources into the planning process. Order Point 12 required Xcel Energy to do so in its 2020 Hosting Capacity Report. Get information on current projects and opportunities. You may not have a full-fledged data center but your facility has a space housing your server or at least some networking equipment. Each township is subdivided into 36 sections (1 mile X 1 mile). Solar tower of power shows benefits of vertical installations, Court rules that inverter sizing guides grid connection, California pulls the plug on rooftop solar, Retaining value for solar customers under California NEM 3.0 rule change, U.S. Link leads to external site, Tips & Tools for Lowering Your Energy Bill, Savings for Multifamily Building Managers, Savings for Small-Medium Business Customers. The Hosting Capacity map gives an indication of how much generation (expressed in kW) can be added to a feeder before the feeder reaches capacity or other limitations that reduce the reliability of service to electric customers on the feeder. To similarly incorporate hosting capacity analysis into the Xcel interconnection processs fast track screens would support the development of distributed energy resources in Minnesota by reducing costs and time for project development, and would direct project development to locations with existing grid capacity. 742 Pre Emption Road Solar hosting capacity maps, now required in seven states, show where solar can be added on a distribution circuit without incurring any grid expensebut only if those maps are accurate. Featured photo credit: Victoria Catterson via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). #HViWPy;&)kkgg N?22Z/'QHn5PBgayqzYL*k$4798poGo+kn~V9X|,Fv1>dv3>#w]z#?w(KWpy@Ixgw\@32qVz.+Z:p:dCANg87p] yVz|&G rl;s FaaH\ W(x6_n a_W_$37&\Gs4rq! 3 0 obj Commercial Solar Guy is a commercial solar developer, general contractor, and consultant. That could potentially generate around 20 million kWh. Hosting capacity analysis provides an opportunity to accommodate significant potential growth in distributed solar resources and ILSRs solar adoption model forecasts suggest that theres an urgency to action: within five years, distributed solar deployment could push the margins of Xcels hosting capacity. We ask that the Commission require Xcel Energy to provide these violations in the HCA map pop-ups (as requested by the Commission in the July 2020 order), rather than just in the sub-feeder Tabular Results. 1885 Clements Rd, Unit 218 The substation capacity may also be supplying additional load for another network and/or radial load area. Contact: IMAP@nationalgrid.com The hosting capacity analysis is conducted under current configurations. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. Each substation and feeder where an interconnection will be made will be identified in the reported data by a unique index number assigned for the purpose of reporting interconnection queue information hereunder, and not by any geographic or operational designation or description. Over time, a location may produce different circuit results. Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. E999/CI20-800. You may submit your application for Level 1 Distributed Generation Interconnection or Levels 2, 3 or 4 Distributed Generation online. Our new report details these companies rapid expansion, the growing resistance, and the pressing need for federal policy interventions. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so. Supporters agreed that the Companys participation in greater inter-developer transparency could facilitate cost-sharing in line upgrades and would be an improvement from the current cost-causer pays model. Modeling experts could determine what those additional checks should be, the paper says. Control systems Monitor your operations and set temperature points and fan speeds to optimize savings. View interconnection queue information for all Distributed Generation or Distributed Storage Resource Projects. Your email address will not be published. 2016 - 2023 Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Subject to your specific situation, ComEd's response may require further action to be taken and/or further expense to be incurred by you in order to complete the interconnection. Solar hosting capacity is the gold to be found in these utility treasure maps. endobj The following charts, taken from the joint comments of ILSR and partners, illustrate the gulf between Xcels distributed solar forecast and ILSRs adoption model that aligns with distributed solar deployment in several mature markets. pv magazine USA offers daily updates of the latest photovoltaics news. Your contributions support local solutions. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Each substation and feeder where an interconnection will be made will be identified in the reported data by a unique index number assigned for the purpose of reporting interconnection queue information hereunder, and not by any geographic or operational designation or description. o Customer/Utility information sharing portal w/maps showing DER hosting capacity & locations where EV . Whether youre a customer, contractor, or developer, our interactive maps can help you identify potential sites for private generation. By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment. Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy. To smooth the process of integrating DER, ComEd is developing and implementing technologies, like a hosting capacity map, so stakeholders can make informed decisions about where to install generation, like PV, as well as technologies to accelerate the interconnection process for smaller quantities of generation. View interconnection queue information for all Distributed Generation or Distributed Storage Resource Projects. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) respectfully submits the following comments on Xcel Energys 2020 Hosting Capacity Report. The tool functions well, as intended, to provide developers of large DERs early insight into grid locational hosting capacity. Electricity Forum publishes Electricity Today T&D Magazine and Intelligent Power Today Industrial Electrical Magazine. 14456 As your last line of defense against power fluctuations and data loss, the UPS provides emergency power to run your IT equipment. www.tdworld.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. As previously mentioned, existing DER is not considered in this stage of the hosting capacity analysis, and the data pop-ups are intended to provide additional context to the displays. DER hosting capacity is a function of resistance on any circuit Fact: DER hosting capacity increases w/nominal voltage . Remaining an early indicator of possible locations for interconnection; Replacing or augmenting initial review screens and/or supplemental review in the interconnection process; and/or. Prior to connecting, the distributed generation system owner must obtain written approval from the local utility in the form of an Interconnection Service Agreement and subsequent Authorization to Connect. Questions? Hold Ctrl or Cmd to select multiple editions. Please see Part 466 for specific qualification requirements (screens) for each interconnection level. Introduction. The pre-application report produced by ComEd is non-binding and does not confer any rights; the potential applicant must file an application before it can interconnect with the ComEd system. The six other states requiring hosting capacity analysis are California, Connecticut, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so. Toll Free: 855-824-6131, The Electricity Forum Inc. (USA) I was involved in various CPUC regulatory proceedings on these maps and made the same kinds of comments frequently. A potential applicant may submit a formal written request form along with a non-refundable fee for a pre-application report on a proposed project at a specific site. Find a viable business owner interested in solar 2. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Read the report, and find all of our resources and reporting on chain dollar stores here. The IREC paper advises utilities to be pro-active in ensuring the accuracy of the mapsto save time for utility customers siting and designing new solar installations, and also for utility engineers performing interconnection studies. Washington, DC and part of Maryland: Potomac Electric Power Company map; Last year, ComEd in Illinois also published a hosting capacity map. Legal Notice Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy pv magazine 2023, Welcome to pv magazine USA. ComEd anticipates that the Interconnection Queue data will typically be updated monthly. Voices of 100%: Youth Propel a Climate Action Plan, Community Solar Collective Gives Member-Owners Pow, 475 megawatts of residential solar by 2034, as a tool for economic stimulus and increased energy justice, comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Why Utilities in Minnesota and Other States Need to Plan for More Competition, committed to make the interconnection process work better, approving the November 2, 2020 Petition To Publish Certain Information about Applications in the Interconnection Queue, map that includes criteria violation values, Mainstreaming Electric Homes Episode 178 of Local Energy Rules. The three utilities, PG&E, SCE and SDG&E, agreed that the questionable load results warrant investigation and refinement of their methodology, the paper says. Where applicable, ComEd will offer an interconnection agreement. On April 7, ILSR submitted comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to recommend they accept Xcel Energys 2020 Hosting Capacity Analysis Report, recognizing a few caveats: Read ILSRs comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in full below. Granularity increases as users zoom in. Please contact our Customer Care Center if you have questions. 1. The watchword is actionable. If the maps arent actionable (b/c theyre not accurate) they re actually worse than useless. Grid security is a vital issue, but we fear it may serve as an excuse to further delay the interconnection of distributed generation. LSRV areas will display a status of "Eligible" on the Hosting Capacity map under "LSRV Area Information.". Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) When was the last time you replaced your IT closets UPS? Each Township, Section, Quarter-Section, Sixteenth-Section, or circuit is color coded based on its maximum hosting capacity value.