Section 466.60 General Requirements

Section 466.60  General Requirements

a)         When

an interconnection request for a DER facility includes multiple energy

production devices at a site for which the applicant seeks a single point of

interconnection, the interconnection request shall be evaluated based on the

aggregate nameplate capacity of the multiple devices.  Where the export

capacity is limited through acceptable means as defined in Section 466.75, the

EDC shall evaluate only the aggregate export capacity for certain impacts as

specified in the screening and study provisions.

b)         When

an interconnection request is for an increase in capacity for an existing DER

facility, the interconnection request shall be evaluated based on the incremental

impact of the new total nameplate capacity of the DER facility.  Where the

export capacity is limited through acceptable means as defined in Section 466.75,

the EDC shall evaluate only the aggregate export capacity for certain impacts

as specified in the screening and study provisions.

c)         EDCs

shall publish on their websites a dedicated email address and phone number as a

point of contact.  The point of contact shall be able to direct applicant

questions concerning interconnection request submissions and the

interconnection request process to knowledgeable individuals within the EDC.

d)         The

information that the EDC makes available to potential applicants can include

previously existing EDC studies that help applicants understand whether it is

feasible to interconnect a DER facility at a particular point on the EDC's

electric distribution system.  The EDC may require a confidentiality agreement

prior to release of this information.  However, the EDC can refuse to provide

the information to the extent that providing it violates security requirements

or confidentiality agreements, or it is contrary to law or State or federal

regulations.

e)         The

EDC shall deem an interconnection request complete when the applicant submits

completed forms

may require a confidentiality agreement

prior to release of this information.  However, the EDC can refuse to provide

the information to the extent that providing it violates security requirements

or confidentiality agreements, or it is contrary to law or State or federal

regulations.

e)         The

EDC shall deem an interconnection request complete when the applicant submits

completed forms.

f)         When

an applicant is not currently a customer of the EDC at the proposed site, the

applicant shall provide, at the time of the interconnection request, proof of the

applicant's legal right to control the site, evidenced by the applicant's name

on a property tax bill, deed, lease agreement, option agreement, or other

legally binding contract.

g)         An

interconnection request shall be processed in accordance with Sections

466.90(b)(2), 466.100(b)(2), 466.110(a)(2), and 466.120(b) of this Part.

h)         To

minimize the cost to interconnect multiple DER facilities, the EDC or the

applicant may propose a single point of interconnection for multiple DER

facilities located at an interconnection customer site that is on contiguous

property.  If the applicant rejects the EDC's proposal for a single point of

interconnection, the applicant shall pay any additional cost to provide a

separate point of interconnection for each DER facility.  If the EDC, without

written and detailed technical explanation, rejects the customer's proposal for

a single point of interconnection, the EDC shall pay any additional cost to

provide separate points of interconnection for each DER facility.

Any disagreement over who bears the cost for providing

separate points of interconnection shall be resolved in accordance with Section

466.130.

i)          To

protect the safety of the EDC's employees or the reliability of the

distribution system, EDCs may require that DER facilities have the capability

to be isolated from the electric distribution system

nterconnection for each DER facility.

Any disagreement over who bears the cost for providing

separate points of interconnection shall be resolved in accordance with Section

466.130.

i)          To

protect the safety of the EDC's employees or the reliability of the

distribution system, EDCs may require that DER facilities have the capability

to be isolated from the electric distribution system.  For DER facilities

interconnecting to a primary line, the isolation shall be by means of a

lockable, visible-break isolation device accessible by the EDC.  For DER

facilities interconnecting to a secondary line, the isolation shall be by means

of a lockable isolation device whose status is indicated and is accessible by

the EDC.  For DER facilities interconnecting to a secondary line through a

self-contained meter, the EDC's removal of the self-contained electric meter

may satisfy this capability.  The isolation device shall be installed, owned

and maintained by the owner of the DER facility and located electrically

between the DER facility and the point of interconnection.  A draw-out type of circuit

breaker accessible to the EDC with a provision for padlocking at the drawn-out

position satisfies the requirement for an isolation device.

j)          The

interconnection customer shall allow the EDC to isolate the DER facility.  An

interconnection customer may elect to provide the EDC with access to an

isolation device that is contained in a building or area that may be unoccupied

and locked or not otherwise accessible to the EDC by installing a lockbox

provided by the EDC that allows ready access to the isolation device.  The

lockbox shall be in a location determined by the EDC to be accessible by the

EDC.  The interconnection customer shall permit the EDC to affix a placard in a

location of its choosing that provides instructions to EDC operating personnel

for accessing the isolation device

ise accessible to the EDC by installing a lockbox

provided by the EDC that allows ready access to the isolation device.  The

lockbox shall be in a location determined by the EDC to be accessible by the

EDC.  The interconnection customer shall permit the EDC to affix a placard in a

location of its choosing that provides instructions to EDC operating personnel

for accessing the isolation device.  If the EDC needs to isolate the distribution

generation facility, the EDC shall not be held liable for any damages resulting

from the actions necessary to isolate the generation facility.

k)         Any

metering required for a DER interconnection shall be installed, operated, and

maintained in accordance with applicable EDC tariffs and agreements.  Any such

metering requirements shall be identified in the standard DER interconnection

agreement executed between the interconnection customer and the EDC.

l)          EDC

monitoring and control of DER facilities are permitted only when the nameplate capacity

is greater than 2 MVA or for a DER facility with a nameplate capacity equal to

or less than 2 MVA when the EDC determines, and the applicant agrees, that such

monitoring and control could be used to mitigate impacts from the project that

may otherwise require an upgrade or would otherwise be useful or beneficial.  Monitoring

and control requirements shall be consistent with the EDC's published

requirements and shall be clearly identified in the interconnection agreement

between the interconnection customer and the EDC.  Transfer trip shall not be

considered EDC monitoring and control when required and installed to protect

the electric distribution system or an affected system against adverse system

impacts.  However, transfer trip, if required, shall be clearly identified in

the interconnection agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC.

m)        The

EDC may require a witness test after the DER facility is constructed

considered EDC monitoring and control when required and installed to protect

the electric distribution system or an affected system against adverse system

impacts.  However, transfer trip, if required, shall be clearly identified in

the interconnection agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC.

m)        The

EDC may require a witness test after the DER facility is constructed.  The

applicant shall provide the EDC with at least 15 business days' notice of the

planned commissioning test for the DER facility

, unless

otherwise agreed by the EDC and applicant

.  The applicant and EDC shall

schedule the witness test at a mutually agreeable time.  If the witness test results

are not acceptable to the EDC, the applicant shall be granted 30 business days

to address and resolve any deficiencies.  The time period for addressing and

resolving any deficiencies may be extended upon the mutual agreement of the EDC

and the applicant prior to the end of the 30 business days.  The EDC shall not

deny an initial request for extension.  Subsequent requests may be denied

only if there are applicants later in the queue that would

be impacted by additional delays

.  If the applicant fails to address and

resolve the deficiencies to the EDC's satisfaction, the EDC may deem the

interconnection request withdrawn.  Even if the EDC or an entity approved by

the EDC does not witness a commissioning test, the applicant remains obligated

to satisfy the interconnection test specifications and requirements set forth

in IEEE Standard 1547 Clause 11.  The applicant shall, if requested by the EDC,

provide a copy of all documentation in its possession regarding testing

conducted pursuant to IEEE Standard 1547.1.

n)         Each

EDC shall allow interconnection requests to be submitted through the EDC's

website or via another website if a link is provided on the EDC's website.

o)         Each

EDC shall dedicate a page on its website to interconnection procedures

, if requested by the EDC,

provide a copy of all documentation in its possession regarding testing

conducted pursuant to IEEE Standard 1547.1.

n)         Each

EDC shall allow interconnection requests to be submitted through the EDC's

website or via another website if a link is provided on the EDC's website.

o)         Each

EDC shall dedicate a page on its website to interconnection procedures.  The

relevant website page shall include the following information updated as it

changes or with the frequency specifically identified in this subsection:

1)         the

EDC's interconnection procedures and attachments in an electronically

searchable format;

2)         the

EDC's interconnection request forms in a format that allows for electronic

entry of data;

3)         the

EDC's interconnection agreements;

4)         the

EDC's point of contact for questions about interconnection and submission of

interconnection requests, including a dedicated e-mail address and phone number;

5)         the EDC's interconnection queue;

6)         the

EDC's hosting capacity map;

7)         for

EDCs serving more than 500,000 customers, the EDC's hosting capacity analysis

results, including, at a minimum, mapping and GIS capability; and

8)         an electronic

form to request the technical standards required by Section 466.140(d).

p)         Each

EDC shall allow electronic signatures to be used for interconnection requests

and agreements.

q)         Each EDC shall accept electronic payments for

interconnection fees and study costs.

r)          Nothing

in this Part shall be interpreted to limit the ability of EDCs and interconnection

customers to enter into an agreement to allow the EDC to actively communicate

with and control the interconnection customer's smart inverter in order to

reduce the facilities and costs associated with interconnection upgrade or as

would otherwise be useful or beneficial.