Document ID: FERC-2013-0426-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures; Workshop
Posted Date: 2013-03-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 61 (Friday, March 29, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19149-19152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06820]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. RM13-2-000]

18 CFR Part 35

Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures; 
Supplemental Notice of Workshop

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of workshop.

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SUMMARY: On February 27, 2013, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) announced that staff will convene a workshop on Wednesday, 
March 27, 2013 to discuss certain topics related to the proposals in 
the Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (Docket No. RM13-2-000).\1\ Please note that the 
time for the conference has been changed.
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    \1\ Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures, 
142 FERC ] 61,049 (2013), 78 FR 7524 (Feb. 1, 2013).

DATES: The conference will be convened from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 
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5:00 p.m. (EDT).

ADDRESSES: The staff-led workshop will be held in the Commission 
Meeting Room at the Commission's headquarters at 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426. Members of the Commission may attend the 
conference, which will also be open for the public to attend. Advance 
registration is not required, but is encouraged. Attendees may register 
at the following Web page: https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/small-generator-03-27-13-form.asp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Attached to this supplemental notice is an 
agenda for the workshop. If any changes are made, the revised agenda 
will be posted prior to the event on the Calendar of Events on the 
Commission's Web site, www.ferc.gov.
    This workshop is not intended to address the substance of any 
particular case pending before the Commission. However, notice is 
hereby given that discussions at the workshop may concern matters at 
issue in the following Commission proceedings that are either pending 
or within their rehearing period: CSOLAR IV South, LLC, Wistaria Ranch 
Solar, LLC, CSOLAR IV West, LLC & CSOLAR IV North, LLC v. California 
Independent System Operator Corporation (Docket No. EL13-37-000); NV 
Energy Operating Co. (Docket No. ER13-679-000); North American Natural 
Resources, Inc. v. PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., American Electric Power 
Service Corp., and Indiana Michigan Power Co. (Docket No. EL13-10-000); 
California Independent System Operator Corporation (Docket No. ER13-
218-001); California Independent System Operator Corporation (Docket 
Nos. ER12-2643-000 and ER12-2643-001); SunPower Corporation (Docket No. 
ER13-958-000); Review of Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and 
Procedures (Docket No. AD12-17-000); and Solar Energy Industries 
Association (Docket No. RM12-10-000).
    We note that the topics included here do not encompass all the 
proposals in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR). The Commission 
encourages stakeholders to submit written comments on all the proposals 
in the NOPR, not just those discussed at the workshop. There will not 
be a separate comment period for the workshop. The deadline for 
submitting written comments on the NOPR, including comments on the 
results of the workshop, is June 3, 2013.
    We also note that we plan to leave time for audience questions and 
comments following each agenda topic.
    The workshop will not be transcribed. However, there will be a free 
webcast of the workshop. Anyone with Internet access interested in 
viewing this workshop can do so by navigating to the FERC Calendar of 
Events at www.ferc.gov and locating this event in the Calendar. The 
event will contain a link to its webcast. The Capitol Connection 
provides technical support for the webcasts and offers the option of

[[Page 19150]]

listening to the workshop via phone-bridge for a fee. If you have any 
questions, visit www.CapitolConnection.org or call (703) 993-3100.
    FERC workshops are accessible under section 508 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations please 
send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov or call toll free 1-866-208-
3372 (voice) or 202-208-8659 (TTY), or send a fax to 202-208-2106 with 
the required accommodations.
    For information related to the agenda, please contact Leslie Kerr 
at leslie.kerr@ferc.gov or (202) 502-8540. For information related to 
logistics, please contact Sarah McKinley at sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov or 
(202) 502-8368.

    Dated: March 19, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP29MR13.013

Small Generator Interconnection

Agreements and Procedures

RM13-2-000

March 27, 2013

Agenda

9:30-9:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

Introduction

    On January 17, 2013, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) proposing to 
revise the pro forma Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP) 
and pro forma Small Generator Interconnection Agreement (SGIA) 
originally set forth in Order No. 2006.\1\ This workshop is convened to 
give stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the proposed reforms to 
the pro forma SGIP and the pro forma SGIA and other related issues.
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    \1\ Standardization of Small Generator Interconnection 
Agreements and Procedures, Order No. 2006, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 
31,180, order on reh'g, Order No. 2006-A, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 
31,196 (2005), order granting clarification, Order No. 2006-B, FERC 
Stats. & Regs. ] 31,221 (2006).
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9:45-11:00 a.m. Roundtable Discussion: Fast Track Process Eligibility

    In the NOPR, the Commission proposed to revise the 2 megawatt (MW) 
threshold for participation in the SGIP Fast Track Process.\2\ The 
Commission proposed to base Fast Track eligibility on individual system 
and generator characteristics, up to a limit of 5 MW. These 
characteristics include interconnection voltage level, the circuit 
distance of the interconnection from the substation, and generator 
capacity as the basis for determining whether an interconnection 
customer is eligible to be evaluated under the Fast Track Process, as 
shown in the table below.
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    \2\ See Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and 
Procedures, 142 FERC ] 61,049, at P 30-32 (2013).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Fast Track
                                            Fast Track    Eligibility on
                                            Eligibility    >= 600 Ampere
              Line Voltage                 Regardless of    Line and <=
                                             Location     2.5 Miles from
                                                            Substation
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< 5 kilovolt (kV).......................         <= 1 MW         <= 2 MW
>= 5 kV and < 15 kV.....................         <= 2 MW         <= 3 MW
>= 15 kV and < 30 kV....................         <= 3 MW         <= 4 MW
>= 30 kV................................         <= 4 MW         <= 5 MW
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    Roundtable participants should be prepared to discuss the 
following:
     The individual system and generator characteristics 
included in the Commission's proposal (and the levels at which they are 
included); and
     Whether the proposal strikes an appropriate balance 
between allowing more small generating facilities to interconnect under 
the Fast Track Process and protecting system safety and reliability.

Roundtable Participants

    [rtarr8] Aaron Berner, Manager, Interconnection Analysis, PJM 
Interconnection, L.L.C.
    [rtarr8] Michael Coddington, Senior Electrical Engineering 
Researcher, Distributed Grid Integration, National Renewable Energy 
Laboratory
    [rtarr8] Paul Hutchison, Renewable Energy Analyst, Public Utilities 
Commission of Ohio
    [rtarr8] Eric Laverty, Director of Transmission Access Planning, 
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
    [rtarr8] Rachel Peterson, Interim Energy Advisor, California Public 
Utilities Commission
    [rtarr8] Bhaskar Ray, Senior Director of Engineering and Design, 
SunEdison L.L.C. (Solar Energy Industries Association)
    [rtarr8] Tim Roughan, Director, Energy and Environmental Policy, 
National Grid (Edison Electric Institute)
    [rtarr8] Michael Sheehan, P.E., Keyes, Fox & Wiedman L.L.P. 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Holly Rachel Smith, Assistant General Counsel, National 
Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
    [rtarr8] Sky Stanfield, Attorney, Keyes, Fox & Wiedman L.L.P. 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Steve Steffel, Manager, Distributed Energy Resources 
Planning and Analytics, Pepco Holdings, Inc.
    [rtarr8] Jeff Triplett, Utility System Consultant, Power System 
Engineering (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)
    [rtarr8] Michael Worden, Chief, Electric Distribution Systems, New 
York State Public Service Commission

11:00-11:15 a.m. Break

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Pre-Application Report

    The Commission proposed in the NOPR to include provisions in the 
SGIP that would allow the interconnection customer to request from the 
transmission provider a pre-application report providing existing 
information

[[Page 19151]]

about system conditions at a possible point of interconnection (see 
section 1.2 of Appendix C to the NOPR for the proposed SGIP revisions 
related to the pre-application report).\3\
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    \3\ See id. P 26-29.
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    Roundtable participants should be prepared to discuss the 
following:
     The content of the pre-application report, including 
whether additional items should be included in the report; and
     Whether the proposed fee of $300 for the pre-application 
report is appropriate.

Roundtable Participants

    [rtarr8] Aaron Berner, Manager, Interconnection Analysis, PJM 
Interconnection, L.L.C.
    [rtarr8] Michael Coddington, Senior Electrical Engineering 
Researcher, Distributed Grid Integration, National Renewable Energy 
Laboratory
    [rtarr8] Paul Hutchison, Renewable Energy Analyst, Public Utilities 
Commission of Ohio
    [rtarr8] Eric Laverty, Director of Transmission Access Planning, 
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
    [rtarr8] Rachel Peterson, Interim Energy Advisor, California Public 
Utilities Commission
    [rtarr8] Bhaskar Ray, Senior Director of Engineering and Design, 
SunEdison L.L.C. (Solar Energy Industries Association)
    [rtarr8] Tim Roughan, Director, Energy and Environmental Policy, 
National Grid (Edison Electric Institute)
    [rtarr8] Michael Sheehan, P.E., Keyes, Fox & Wiedman L.L.P. 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Holly Rachel Smith, Assistant General Counsel, National 
Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
    [rtarr8] Sky Stanfield, Attorney, Keyes, Fox & Wiedman L.L.P. 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Steve Steffel, Manager, Distributed Energy Resources 
Planning and Analytics, Pepco Holdings, Inc.
    [rtarr8] Jeff Triplett, Utility System Consultant, Power System 
Engineering (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)
    [rtarr8] Michael Worden, Chief, Electric Distribution Systems, New 
York State Public Service Commission

12:15-1:00 p.m. Break

1:00-2:30 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Supplemental Review Screens

    In the NOPR, the Commission proposed to revise the supplemental 
review in section 2.4 of the pro forma SGIP following failure of the 
Fast Track Process screens in section 2.2.1 of the pro forma SGIP.\4\ 
The supplemental review screens include a minimum load screen (section 
2.4.1.1 of Appendix C to the NOPR), a voltage and power quality screen 
(section 2.4.1.2 of Appendix C to the NOPR), and a safety and 
reliability screen (section 2.4.1.3 of Appendix C to the NOPR).
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    \4\ See id. P 33-40.
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    Roundtable participants should be prepared to discuss the 
following:
     The specific content of the supplemental review screens 
proposed in the NOPR, including:
    [cir] Whether twelve months of minimum load data is appropriate for 
use in the minimum load screen, or whether additional data, if 
available, should be required to be considered;
    [cir] The reasons that minimum load data are not available to 
transmission providers and what the Commission could do to encourage 
data availability where appropriate; and
    [cir] Potential modifications to the supplemental review screens 
proposed in the NOPR to ensure the safety and reliability of the 
system.
     Whether the $2,500 fee for the supplemental review 
proposed in the NOPR is appropriate.

Roundtable Participants

    [rtarr8] Aaron Berner, Manager, Interconnection Analysis, PJM 
Interconnection, L.L.C.
    [rtarr8] Michael Coddington, Senior Electrical Engineering 
Researcher, Distributed Grid Integration, National Renewable Energy 
Laboratory
    [rtarr8] Paul Hutchison, Renewable Energy Analyst, Public Utilities 
Commission of Ohio
    [rtarr8] Eric Laverty, Director of Transmission Access Planning, 
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
    [rtarr8] Rachel Peterson, Interim Energy Advisor, California Public 
Utilities Commission
    [rtarr8] Bhaskar Ray, Senior Director of Engineering and Design, 
SunEdison L.L.C. (Solar Energy Industries Association)
    [rtarr8] Tim Roughan, Director, Energy and Environmental Policy, 
National Grid (Edison Electric Institute)
    [rtarr8] Michael Sheehan, P.E., Keyes, Fox & Wiedman L.L.P. 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Holly Rachel Smith, Assistant General Counsel, National 
Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
    [rtarr8] Sky Stanfield, Attorney, Keyes, Fox & Wiedman L.L.P. 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Steve Steffel, Manager, Distributed Energy Resources 
Planning and Analytics, Pepco Holdings, Inc.
    [rtarr8] Jeff Triplett, Utility System Consultant, Power System 
Engineering (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)
    [rtarr8] Michael Worden, Chief, Electric Distribution Systems, New 
York State Public Service Commission

2:30-2:45 p.m. Break

2:45-3:45 p.m. Roundtable Discussion: Interconnection of Storage 
Devices

    The Commission did not propose to revise the definition of Small 
Generating Facility to include storage devices in Attachment 1 to the 
SGIP and Attachment 1 to the SGIA as devices that produce electricity. 
However, Commission staff would like to discuss whether such a revision 
to the definition of Small Generating Facility would be appropriate and 
whether other revisions to the SGIP and SGIA related to interconnecting 
storage devices would be appropriate.
    Roundtable participants should be prepared to discuss the 
following:
     Their experiences related to the interconnection of 
storage devices; and
     Potential revisions to the pro forma SGIP and pro forma 
SGIA that would facilitate interconnection of such devices.

Roundtable Participants

    [rtarr8] Alan Elmy, Manager, Interconnection Projects, PJM 
Interconnection, L.L.C.
    [rtarr8] Robert Rounds, Director, Asset and Project Management, 
Beacon Power, L.L.C. (Electricity Storage Association)
    [rtarr8] Michael Sheehan, P.E., Keyes, Fox & Wiedman LLP 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Mark Siira, Director of Business Development, ComRent 
International (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
    [rtarr8] Steve Steffel, Manager, Distributed Energy Resources 
Planning and Analytics, Pepco Holdings, Inc.
    [rtarr8] Michael Worden, Chief, Electric Distribution Systems, New 
York State Public Service Commission

3:45-4:45 p.m. Panel Discussion: Disconnection of Small Generating 
Facilities During Over- and Under-Frequency Events

    In the NOPR, the Commission proposed to revise section 1.5.4 of the 
pro forma SGIA to require the interconnection customer to design, 
install, maintain, and operate its Small Generating Facility in 
accordance with the latest version of any applicable standards, such as 
the Institute of

[[Page 19152]]

Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 1547 for Interconnecting 
Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, to minimize the 
likelihood of an off-normal frequency disturbance resulting in common 
mode disconnection of its Small Generating Facility.\5\
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    \5\ See id. P 46.
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    Panelists should be prepared to discuss the following:
     Their experiences and any relevant analysis involving 
frequency issues associated with distributed generation;
     Potential conflicts between existing disconnection 
requirements in current standards and new smart grid interoperability 
standards being developed under the auspices of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology;
     Whether the proposed revision to section 1.5.4 of the pro 
forma SGIA appropriately addresses small generator disconnection due to 
common mode frequency disturbances at high penetrations of distributed 
generation; and
     Whether abnormal voltage conditions should also be 
addressed in the proposed revisions to section 1.5.4 of the pro forma 
SGIA.

Panelists

    [rtarr8] Allen Hefner, Jr., Ph.D., National Institute of Standards 
and Technology
    [rtarr8] Rachel Peterson, Interim Energy Advisor, California Public 
Utilities Commission
    [rtarr8] Michael Sheehan, P.E., Keyes, Fox & Wiedman LLP 
(Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
    [rtarr8] Mark Siira, Director of Business Development, ComRent 
International (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
[FR Doc. 2013-06820 Filed 3-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P