City of Seattle Combined Legislative Records Search
Information modified on October 1, 2014; retrieved on December 11, 2023 11:26 AM
Clerk File 311199
Description and Background | |
---|---|
Current Status: | Filed |
Index Terms: | CITY-LIGHT, POWER-DISTRIBUTION-FACILITIES, TECHNOLOGY-STANDARDS, ADMINISTRATIVE-PROCEDURES, PUBLIC-REGULATIONS |
References: | Superseded by the version filed as Clerk File 312013 |
Legislative History | |
---|---|
Date Filed with Clerk: | December 10, 2010 |
PDF Copy: | Clerk File 311199 |
Text | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEPARTMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE Subject STANDARDS FOR INTERCONNECTION OF GENERATORS 20 MW AND LESS IN CAPACITY TO SEATTLE CITY LIGHT'S ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Number DPP 500 P III-305 Effective November 22, 2010 Supersedes May 24, 2006 Approved by Jorge Carrasco 1.1 This Department Policy & Procedure (DPP) sets standards for interconnection of small generators, net metered up to 100 kW and sized up to 20 MW in capacity, to Seattle City Light's primary electrical distribution system. 1.2 This DPP replaced DPP III-305 (2006) which sets standards for interconnection of small generators up to 25 kW in capacity to Seattle City Light's primary electrical distribution system. This policy is consistent with those adopted by the majority of other electrical utilities in Washington State, and is consistent with Washington State and Federal energy policies, notably with the requirements of Chapter 80.60 RCW, Net Metering of Electricity and Chapter 480-108 WAC, Electric companies interconnection with electric generators; to partially comply with Section 1254 of the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58 (2005); and to promote the purposes of the state legislature's Substitute Senate Bill 5101, Chapter 300, Laws of 2005 (effective July 1, 2005). 2.0 Organization Affected 2.1 Customer Service & Energy Delivery Business Unit 2.2 Power Supply & Environmental Affairs Business Unit 3.0 References 3.1 National Electric Code (NEC); National Electric Safety Code (NESC); the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); American National Standards Institute (ANSI); Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29, CFR 1910.269; the NEC, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) rules; the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Administration (WISHA) Standard. 3.2 National and International Standards applying specifically to interconnection: 3.2.1 IEEE Standard 1547-2003, Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. 3.2.2 UL Standard 1741, Inverters, Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems. Equipment claiming applicability must be UL listed. 3.2.3 IEEE Standard 929-2000, IEEE Recommended Practice for Utility Interface of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. 3.2.4 ANSI Standard C37.90, IEEE Standard for Relays and Relay Systems Associated with Electric Power Apparatus. 3.2.5 ANSI/IEEE 665, Guide for Generating Station Grounding. 3.3 Seattle City Light documents: 3.3.1 Seattle City Light Electrical Distribution System Interconnection Requirements, Procedures, Applications, and Agreements for Generating Facilities Not Greater Than 20 MW. 3.3.2 Procedures, Requirements, and Standards for Connection to Seattle City Light's High Voltage System. 4.0 Definitions 4.1 Applicant . Any person, corporation, partnership, government agency, or other entity applying to interconnect a Generating Facility to the Utility's electrical distribution system pursuant to this chapter. 4.2 Application . The written notice as defined in WAC 480-108-030 provided by the Applicant to the Utility that initiates the interconnection process. 4.3 Area Network . A section of the Utility's Electrical Distribution System served by multiple transformers interconnected in an electrical network circuit generally used in large, densely populated metropolitan areas in order to provide high reliability of service. 4.4 Bulk Electric System . Refers to the electrical generation resources, transmission lines, interconnections with neighboring systems, and associated equipment, generally operated at voltages of 100 kV or higher. 4.5 Certificate of Completion . A copy of the Interconnection Agreement, signed by the utility once the electrical inspector having jurisdiction over the installation of the facilities passes the installation, and any work requiring utility staff is completed, such as the installation of a production meter, if required. 4.6 Department . The City Light Department. 4.7 Electrical Distribution System . All electrical wires, equipment, and other facilities owned or provided by the Utility that are used to transfer electricity to customers. 4.8 Generating Facility . A source of electricity owned by the Applicant or Generator that is located on the Applicant's side of the point of common coupling, and all facilities ancillary and appurtenant thereto, including interconnection facilities, which the Applicant requests to interconnect to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. 4.9 Generator . The entity that owns and/or operates the Generating Facility interconnected to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. 4.10 Initial Operation . The first time the Generating Facility is in parallel operation with the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. 4.11 In-service Date . The date on which the Generating Facility and any related facilities are complete and ready for service, even if the Generating Facility is not placed in service on or by that date. 4.12 Interconnection . The physical connection of a Generating Facility to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System so that parallel operation may occur. 4.13 Interconnection Agreement . The standardized terms and conditions that govern the interconnection of Generating Facilities pursuant to these rules. The model interconnection agreement may be modified to accommodate terms and conditions specific to individual interconnections, subject to the conditions set forth in these rules. 4.14 Interconnection Facilities . The electrical wires, switches and other equipment used to interconnect a Generating Facility to the Electrical Distribution System. 4.15 Net Metering . Measuring the difference between the electricity supplied by the Utility and the electricity generated by a Generating Facility that may be fed back to the Utility over the applicable billing period. 4.16 Parallel Operation or Operate in Parallel . The synchronous operation of a Generating Facility while interconnected with the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. 4.17 Point of Common Coupling (PCC) . The point where the Generating Facility's local electric power system connects to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System, such as the electric power revenue meter or at the location of the equipment designated to interrupt, separate or disconnect the connection between the Generating Facility and the Utility. 4.18 Small Generator Interconnection Procedures . Seattle City Light Electrical Distribution System Interconnection Requirements, Procedures, Applications, and Agreements for Generating Facilities Not Greater Than 20 MW document, which specifies the procedures and agreement by which the Utility will evaluate small generating systems up to 20 MW, for interconnection to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. 4.19 Spot Network . A section of an Electrical Distribution System that uses two or more inter-tied transformers to supply an electrical network circuit. 4.20 Utility . The City Light Department, also known as Seattle City Light or SCL, which owns and operates the Electrical Distribution System, or the Electrical Distribution System itself, onto which the Applicant seeks to interconnect a Generating Facility. 5.0 Policy 5.1 The Department shall follow standards outlined in the Seattle City Light Electrical Distribution System Interconnection Requirements, Procedures, Applications, and Agreements for Generating Facilities Not Greater Than 20 MW when interconnecting applicable non-utility generators. 5.2 Customers requesting connection to the Bulk Electric System shall comply with the requirements in the Procedures, Requirements, and Standards for Connection to Seattle City Light's High Voltage System available from the SCL System Engineering group. 5.3 This DPP shall be amended from time to time as required to comply with applicable governmental laws and regulations, such as Net Metering (RCW 80.60) as they are enacted and/or amended. 5.4 This DPP does not establish any obligation on the Department to interconnect any generator to Seattle City Light's electrical power system, except as may otherwise be required by applicable laws and regulations (for example generators qualified for net metering, per RCW 80.60). 5.5 Interconnection of a Generating Facility within Seattle City Light's Spot Network or Area Network Systems must be inverter-based only. Applicant must provide evidence to the satisfaction of the Utility that its Generating Facility will never result in reverse current flow through the Utility's network protectors. All instances of interconnection within spot network or area network systems shall require review and written pre-approval by the Utility. Closed transition transfer switches are not allowed in the Utility's electrical Network Systems. 5.6 The location of all interconnected non-utility generators within Seattle City Light's electrical power system may be recorded with the System Control Center's System Operator for operational and safety purposes. 6.0 Responsibilities 6.1 Seattle City Light staff approving application for interconnection of a non-utility Generating Facility shall be responsible for providing written notice of such approval, with system location data to the Utility's System Operator before such Generating Facility is energized. 7.0 Procedure 7.1 The technical standards listed in this section shall apply to all Generating Facilities equal to or less than 20 MW to be interconnected to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. 7.2 General interconnection requirements. 7.2.1 Any Generating Facility desiring to interconnect with the Utility's Electrical Distribution System or modify an existing interconnection must meet all minimum technical specifications applicable, in their most current approved version, as set forth in this chapter. 7.2.2 The specifications and requirements in this section are intended to mitigate possible adverse impacts caused by the Generating Facility on Utility equipment and personnel and on other customers of the Utility. They are not intended to address protection of the Generating Facility itself, Generating Facility personnel, or its internal load. It is the responsibility of the Generating Facility to comply with the requirements of all appropriate standards, codes, statutes and authorities to protect its own facilities, personnel, and loads. 7.2.3 The specifications and requirements in this section shall apply generally to the nonutility-owned electric generation equipment to which this standard and agreement(s) apply throughout the period encompassing the Generator's installation, testing and commissioning, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and removal of said equipment. The Utility may verify compliance at any time, with reasonable notice. 7.2.4 The Generator shall comply with the requirements in subsections 7.2.4.1, 7.2.4.2 and 7.2.4.3. However, at its sole discretion, the Utility may approve alternatives that satisfy the intent of, and/or may excuse compliance with, any specific elements of these requirements. 7.2.4.1 Code and standards. Applicant shall conform to all applicable codes and standards for safe and reliable operation. Among these are the National Electric Code (NEC), National Electric Safety Code (NESC), North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards, applicable regional, sub-regional and Power Pool requirements, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards, and local, state and federal building codes. The Generator shall be responsible to obtain all applicable permit(s) for the equipment installations on its property. 7.2.4.2 Safety. All safety and operating procedures for joint use equipment shall be in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29, CFR 1910.269, the NEC, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) rules, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Administration (WISHA) Standards, and equipment manufacturer's safety and operating manuals. 7.2.4.3 Power Quality. Installations will be in compliance with all applicable standards including IEEE Standard 519-1992 Harmonic Limits. 7.3 Specific interconnection requirements. 7.3.1 For Generating Facilities greater than 100 kW, Applicant shall furnish and install on Applicant's side of the meter, a UL-approved safety disconnect switch which shall be capable of fully disconnecting the Applicant's Generating Facility from the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. The disconnect switch shall be located adjacent to Utility meters and shall be of the visible break type in a metal enclosure which can be secured by a padlock. The disconnect switch shall be accessible to the Utility personnel at all times. 7.3.2 The requirement in subsection 7.3.1 above may be waived by the Utility if: (a) Applicant provides interconnection equipment that Applicant can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Utility, performs physical disconnection of the generating equipment supply internally; and (b) Applicant agrees that its service may be disconnected entirely if generating equipment must be physically disconnected for any reason. 7.3.3 The Utility shall have the right to disconnect the Generating Facility at the disconnect switch under the following circumstances: when necessary to maintain safe electrical operating conditions; if the Generating Facility does not meet required standards, or these requirements; if the Generating Facility at any time adversely affects or endangers any person, the property of any person, the Utility's operation of its Electrical Distribution System or the quality of the Utility's service to other customers; or failure of the owner of record, as filed with the Utility, to notify the Utility of a sale or transfer of the Generating Facility or the premises on which the Generating Facility is located. 7.3.4 Nominal voltage and phase configuration of Applicant's Generating Facility must be compatible to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System at the point of common coupling. 7.4 Specifications applicable to all inverter-based interconnections. Any inverter-based Generating Facility desiring to interconnect with the Utility's Electrical Distribution System or modify an existing interconnection must meet the technical specifications, in their most current approved version, as set forth below. 7.4.1 IEEE Standard 1547-2003: Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. 7.4.2 UL Standard 1741: Inverters, Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems. Equipment must be UL listed. IEEE Standard 929-2000: IEEE Recommended Practice for Utility Interface of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. 7.5 Requirements applicable to all non-inverter-based interconnections (refer to Small Generator Interconnection document in Appendix). Non-inverter based interconnection requests may require more detailed review, testing, and approval by the Utility, at applicant cost, of the equipment proposed to be installed to ensure compliance with applicable technical specifications, in their most current approved version, including: 7.5.1 IEEE Standard 1547-2003: Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. 7.5.2 ANSI Standard C37.90: IEEE Standard for Relays and Relay Systems Associated with Electric Power Apparatus. 7.5.3 Applicants proposing such interconnection may also be required to submit a power mitigation plan for Utility review and approval. 7.6 Application for Interconnection. 7.6.1 When an Applicant requests interconnection from the Utility, the Applicant shall be responsible for conforming to the rules, regulations, procedures and requirements that are in effect and on file with the Utility. The Utility will designate a point of contact and provide a telephone number or website address for this purpose. The Applicant seeking to interconnect a Generating Facility under these rules must fill out and submit a signed application form. Information must be accurate, the application must be complete, and approved by the Utility prior to its review and approval of the Generating Facility's installation. The Utility offers four interconnection review paths for Applicants requesting interconnection. Each Level is further detailed in the Department's "Interconnection Requirements, Procedures, Applications, and Agreements for Generating Facilities Not Greater Than 20 MW" found in the Appendix to this DPP. 7.6.1.1 Level 1 For certified, inverter-based Generating Facilities that have a generating capacity of 100 kilowatts (kW) or less on the radial system, Spot or Area Network systems under certain conditions, that pass all specified technical screens. 7.6.1.2 Level 2 For all Generating Facilities that have a generating capacity of 2 MW or less that pass all specified technical screens. 7.6.1.3 Level 3 For all Generating Facilities that: (a) pass specified technical screens; (b) do not export power to the Utility; and (c) have a generating capacity of 20 MW or less. 7.6.1.4 Level 4 For all Generating Facilities that do not qualify for Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 interconnection review process. 7.6.2 Application Fees. The Utility has set application fees for the following types of Generating Facility applications: 7.6.2.1 Level 1 No interconnection application fee for certified inverter-based facilities equal to or less than 100 kW. 7.6.2.2 Level 2 and 3 The Utility may elect to charge an application fee of $50 plus $1 per kW of the generating capacity for its review. 7.6.2.3 Level 4 The Utility may elect to charge an application fee of $100 plus $1 per kW of the generating capacity, including charges for actual time spent for its review. 7.6.3 Application Prioritization. All generation interconnection requests pursuant to this chapter will be prioritized by the Utility in the same manner as any new load requests. Preference will not be given to either request type. The Utility will process the application and provide interconnection in a time frame consistent with the average of other service connections. 7.6.4 Application Evaluation. All generation interconnection requests pursuant to this chapter will be reviewed by the Utility for compliance with these requirements and procedures. If the Utility in its sole discretion finds that the application does not comply with these requirements, the Utility may reject the application. If the Utility rejects the application it shall provide the Applicant with written notification stating its reasons for rejecting the application. 7.6.5 Applicant elects and the Utility shall cause to be performed the study consistent with Section H(3) of the Small Generator Interconnection document. 7.7 General Terms and Conditions. The general terms and conditions listed in this section shall apply to all Generating Facilities interconnecting to the Utility. 7.7.1 Any electrical Generating Facility with a maximum electrical generating capacity of 20 MW or less must comply with these requirements to be eligible to interconnect and operate in parallel with the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. These requirements shall apply to all interconnecting Generating Facilities that are intended to operate in parallel with the Utility's Electrical Distribution System, irrespective of whether the Applicant intends to generate energy to serve all or a part of the Applicant's load, or to sell the output. 7.7.2 In order to ensure system safety and reliability of interconnected operations, all interconnected Generating Facilities shall be constructed and operated by Generator in accordance with these requirements and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. It is the sole responsibility of the Generator to ensure compliance with such requirements and all applicable laws and regulations. 7.7.3 Prior to initial operation, all Generators must notify the Utility once their installed Generating Facility passes electrical inspection by the appropriate authority; execute the appropriate interconnection agreement contained in the Appendix, as well as any other agreement(s) required by this DPP for the disposition of the Generating Facility's electric power output. The interconnection agreement between the Utility and Generator establishes the interconnection standards, cost allocation and billing agreements, and ongoing maintenance and operation requirements. 7.7.4 This DPP and the "Interconnection Requirements, Procedures, Applications, and Agreements for Generating Facilities Not Greater Than 20 MW" document (the "Small Generator Interconnection document") govern the terms and conditions under which the Applicant's Generating Facility will interconnect with, and operate in parallel with, the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. This DPP and the Small Generator Interconnection document do not govern the settlement, purchase or delivery of any power generated by Applicant's Generating Facility. The purchase or delivery of power, including net metering of electricity pursuant to Chapter 80.60. RCW, and other services that the Applicant may require will be covered by separate agreement or pursuant to the terms, conditions and rates as may be from time to time approved by the Utility. Any such agreement shall be complete and fully executed prior to initial operation and properly filed with the Utility. 7.7.5 Applicant or Generator shall promptly furnish the Utility with copies of such plans, specifications, records, and other information relating to the Generating Facility or the ownership, operation, use, or maintenance of the Generating Facility, as may be reasonably requested by the Utility from time to time. 7.7.6 For the purposes of public and working personnel safety, any non-approved generation interconnections discovered will be immediately disconnected from the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. 7.7.7 To ensure reliable service to all Utility customers and to minimize possible problems for other customers, the Utility will review the need for a dedicated-to-single-customer transformer. Interconnecting Generating Facilities may require a separate transformer. If the Utility requires a dedicated transformer, the Applicant or Generator shall pay for all costs of the new transformer and related facilities. 7.7.8 Metering. 7.7.8.1 Net Metering for Solar, Wind, Hydropower and Fuel Cells as set forth in RCW 80.60: The Utility shall install, own and maintain a kilowatt-hour meter, or meters as the installation may determine, capable of registering the bidirectional flow of electricity at the point of common coupling at a level of accuracy that meets all applicable standards, regulations and statutes. The meter(s) may measure such parameters as time of delivery, power factor, voltage and such other parameters as the Utility shall specify. The Applicant shall provide space for metering equipment. It will be the Applicant's responsibility to provide the current transformer enclosure (if required), meter socket(s) and junction box after the Applicant has submitted drawings and equipment specifications for the Utility approval. The Utility may approve other generating sources for net metering but is not required to do so. Net metering is available to Generating Facilities sized up to 100 kW only. 7.7.8.2 Production Metering: The Utility may require separate metering for production of electricity as required under applicable power purchase or credit programs. This meter will record all generation produced and may be billed separately from any net metering or customer usage metering. All costs associated with the installation of production metering will be paid by the Applicant. 7.7.9 Common labeling furnished or approved by the Utility and in accordance with NEC requirements must be posted on meter base, disconnects, and transformers informing working personnel that generation is operating at or is located on the premises. 7.7.10 As currently set forth for qualifying generation under RCW 80.60, for solar, wind, hydro or fuel cells no additional insurance will be necessary for Level 1 interconnection requests. For other Generating Facilities approved under these requirements but not contained within RCW 80.60, additional insurance, limitations of liability and indemnification may be required by the Utility. The general provisions and requirements of the Small Generator Interconnection document list the recommended insurance fees for Level 2, 3, or 4 interconnection requests. 7.7.11 Prior to any future modification or expansion of the Generating Facility, the Generator will obtain Utility review and approval. The Utility reserves the right to require the Generator, at the Generator's expense, to provide corrections or additions to existing electrical devices in the event of modification of government or industry regulations and standards. 7.7.12 For the overall safety and protection of the utility system, RCW 80.60.020 currently limits interconnection of generation for net metering to 0.25% of the utility's peak demand during 1996. Additionally, interconnection of Generating Facilities to individual distribution feeders will be limited to 10% of the feeder's peak capacity. However, the Utility may, in its sole discretion, allow additional generation interconnection beyond these stated limits. 7.7.13 It is the responsibility of the Generator to protect its facilities, loads and equipment and comply with the requirements of all appropriate standards, codes, statutes and authorities. 7.7.14 Charges by the Utility to the Applicant or Generator in addition to the application fee, if any, will be cost-based and applied as appropriate. Such costs may include, but are not limited to, transformers, production meters, and utility testing, qualification, and approval of non UL 1741 listed equipment. The Generator shall be responsible for any costs associated with any future upgrade or modification to its interconnected system required by modifications to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System or Bulk Electrical System. 7.7.15 Generator may disconnect the Generating Facility at any time; provided that the Generator provides reasonable advance notice to the Utility, unless an emergency condition requires that the Generating Facility be disconnected. 7.7.16 Generator shall notify the Department at the time of the sale or transfer of the Generating Facility, the interconnection facilities or the premises upon which the facilities are located. The Applicant or Generator shall not assign its rights or obligations under any agreement entered into pursuant to these requirements without the prior written consent of the Utility, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. 7.7.17 All Generating Facilities must obtain required electrical permit(s) and pass electrical inspection by the proper authority before the Generating Facility will be connected or operated in parallel with the Utility's Electrical Distribution System. Generator shall provide notification to the Utility that the Generating Facility has been installed and inspected in compliance with the local building and/or electrical codes. 8.0 Required Filings 8.1 The Utility shall maintain on file for inspection at its place of business, the charges, terms and conditions for interconnections pursuant to these requirements. Such filing includes forms of the fully executed interconnection applications and interconnection agreements. In addition, the Utility will retain all applications and agreements for a minimum of three years, per North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC, Standard FAC-002) requirements. 8.2 Exceptions. The Utility may grant such exceptions to these requirements as may be appropriate in individual cases. 9.0 Appendix 9.1 Distribution: Posted online at http://sclweb.light.ci.seattle.wa.us/dpp/ 9.2 Seattle City Light Electrical Distribution System, Interconnection Requirements, Procedures, Applications, and Agreements for Generating Facilities Not Greater Than 20 MW. 9.3 Flowcharts: Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 Interconnection Application Process. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 10.0 Revision History
Appendix Electrical Distribution System Interconnection Requirements, Procedures, Applications, and Agreements for Generating Facilities Not Greater Than 20 MW TABLE OF CONTENTS (A) Definitions (B) Scope (C) Applicable Standards (E) Level 1 Screening Criteria and Process for Inverter-Based Generating Facilities Not Greater than 100 kW (F) Level 2 Screening Criteria and Process for Generating Facilities Not Greater than 2 MW (G) Level 3 Screening Criteria and Process for Non-Exporting Generating Facilities Not Greater than 20 MW (H) Level 4 Process for All Other Generating Facilities (I) Online Application Requirement (J) General Provisions and Requirements (K) Dispute Resolution Attachment 1: Level 1 Interconnection Application and Agreement Attachment 2: Interconnection Application for Levels 2, 3 and 4 Attachment 3: Interconnection Agreement for Levels 2, 3 and 4 Attachment 4: Certificate of Completion Attachment 5: Feasibility, Impact and Facilities Study Agreements (A) Definitions : 1. "Applicant" means a person or entity that has filed an application to interconnect a Generating Facility to a Utility's Electrical Distribution System. For a Generating Facility that will offset part or the entire load of a Utility customer, the Applicant is that customer, regardless of whether the customer owns the Generating Facility or a third party owns the Generating Facility. For a Generating Facility selling electric power to a Utility, the owner of the Generating Facility is the Applicant. 2. "Area Network" means a section of the Utility's Electrical Distribution System served by multiple transformers interconnected in an electrical network circuit generally used in large, densely populated metropolitan areas in order to provide high reliability of service, and having the same definition as the term "secondary grid network" as defined in IEEE Standard 1547. 3. "Certified" has the meaning provided in Section C of these procedures, regarding IEEE and UL standards applicable to Generating Facility components. 4. "Days" means regular business days, i.e., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. 5. "Electrical Distribution System" means the equipment operated and maintained by a Utility to deliver electric service to end-users, including without limitation distribution lines, substations, transformers, Spot Networks and Area Networks. 6. "Fault Current" means electrical current that flows through a circuit and is produced by an electrical fault, such as to ground, double-phase to ground, three-phase to ground, phaseto-phase, and three-phase. A Fault Current is several times larger in magnitude than the current that normally flows through a circuit. 7. "FERC" means Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 8. "Force Majeure Event" means any event: (a) that is beyond the reasonable control of the affected party; and (b) that the affected party is unable to prevent or provide against by exercising reasonable diligence, including: acts of war, public disorder, insurrection, or rebellion; floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, lightning, storms, and other natural calamities; explosions or fires; strikes, work stoppages, or labor disputes; embargoes; and sabotage. 9. "Generating Capacity" means the rated capacity of a Generating Facility in alternating current. For an inverterbased Generating Facility, the Generating Capacity is the rated capacity of the inverter. 10. "Generating Facility" means the equipment used by an Interconnection Customer to generate, store, manage, interconnect and monitor electricity. A Generating Facility includes an Interconnection Equipment Package. 11. "IEEE" means the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. 12. "IEEE Standards" means the standards published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, available at www.ieee.org . 13. "Interconnection Agreement" means a standard form agreement between an Interconnection Customer and a Utility governing the interconnection of a Generating Facility to a Utility's Electrical Distribution System, as well as the ongoing operation of the Generating Facility after it is interconnected. For Level 1, the standard form Interconnection Agreement is incorporated with the Level 1 application, provided in Attachment 1 to these rules. For Levels 2, 3 or 4, the standard form Interconnection Agreement is provided in Attachment 3 to these rules. 14. "Interconnection Customer" means an Applicant that has entered into an Interconnection Agreement with a Utility to interconnect a Generating Facility and has interconnected that Generating Facility. 15. "Interconnection Equipment Package" means a group of components connecting an electric generator with an Electrical Distribution System, and includes all interface equipment including switchgear, inverters or other interface devices. An Interconnection Equipment Package may include an integrated generator or electric source. 16. "Interconnection Requirements" means these rules and requirements including attachments. 17. "Minor System Modifications" means modifications to a Utility's Electrical Distribution System, including activities such as changing the fuse in a fuse holder cut-out, changing the settings on a circuit re-closer and other activities that usually entail less than four hours of work and $1000 in materials. 18. "Parties" means the Applicant and the Utility in a particular Interconnection Agreement. "Either Party" refers to either the Applicant or the Utility. 19. "Point of Common Coupling" means the point in the interconnection of a Generating Facility with an Electrical Distribution System at which the harmonic limits are applied and shall have the same meaning as in IEEE Standard 1547. 20. "Spot Network" means a section of an Electrical Distribution System that uses two or more inter-tied transformers to supply an electrical network circuit. A Spot Network is generally used to supply power to a single Utility customer or to a small group of Utility customers, and has the same meaning as the term is used in IEEE Standard 1547. 21. "UL" means Underwriters Laboratories, which has established standards available at http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/ that relate to components of Generating Facilities. 22. "Utility" means Seattle City Light, or SCL. (B) Scope : These Interconnection Requirements are applicable for all state-jurisdictional interconnections of Generating Facilities. There are four review paths: Level 1. For inverter-based Generating Facilities that pass specified screens and have a Generating Capacity of 100 kilowatts (kW) or less. Level 2. For Generating Facilities that pass specified screens and have a Generating Capacity of 2 megawatts (MW) or less. Level 3. For Generating Facilities that: (a) pass specified screens; (b) do not export power to the Utility; and (c) have a Generating Capacity of 20 MW or less. Level 4. For all Generating Facilities that do not qualify for Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 interconnection review processes. Capacity of the Generating Facility: If the Interconnection Request is for an increase in capacity for an existing Generating Facility, the Interconnection Request shall be evaluated on the basis of the new total capacity of the Generating Facility. If the Interconnection Request is for a Generating Facility that includes multiple energy production devices at a site for which the Applicant seeks a single Point of Interconnection, the Interconnection Request shall be evaluated on the basis of the aggregate capacity of the multiple devices. The Interconnection Request shall be evaluated using the maximum rated capacity of the Generating Facility. (C) Applicable Standards: Unless waived by the Utility, a Generating Facility must comply with the following standards, as applicable: 1. IEEE Standard 1547 for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems for Generating Facilities up to 10 MW in size, 2. IEEE Standard 1547.1 for Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, and 3. UL 1741 Standard for Inverters, Converters and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems. UL 1741 compliance must be recognized or Certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory as designated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Certification of a particular model or a specific piece of equipment is sufficient. It is also sufficient for an inverter built into a Generating Facility to be recognized as being UL 1741 compliant by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. 4. ANSI Standard C37.90: IEEE Standard for Relays and Relay Systems Associated with Electric Power Apparatus. 5. IEEE Std. 142-2007: Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems 6. ANSI/IEEE Std. 80: IEEE Guide for Safety in Substation Grounding 7. IEEE 81-1: Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity Ground Impedance, Earth Potentials 8. IEEE 81-2: Measurement of Impedance and Safety Characteristics of Large, Extended or Interconnected Grounding Systems 9. ANSI/IEEE 665: Guide for Generating Station Grounding 10. IEEE 837: Qualifying Permanent Connections Used in Substation Grounding 11. IEEE 487: Protection of Wire-Line Communications Serving Electric Power Stations 12. ANSI/IEEE 367: Recommended Practice for Determining the Electric Power Station Ground Potential Rise and Induced Voltage from a Power Fault 13. Installations will be in compliance with all applicable standards including IEEE Standard 519-1992 Harmonic Limits. 14. Applicants proposing such non-inverter based Generating Facilities may also be required to submit a power factor mitigation plan for utility review and approval. 15. Applicant shall conform to all other applicable codes and standards for safe and reliable operation: including the National Electric Code (NEC), National Electric Safety Code (NESC), North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards, applicable regional, subregional, and Power Pool requirements, and local, state and federal building codes. The generator shall be responsible to obtain all applicable permit(s) for the equipment installations on its property. 16. Safety: All safety and operating procedures for joint use equipment shall be in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29, CFR 1910.269, the National Electrical Code (NEC), Washington Administrative Code (WAC) rules, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Administration (WISHA) Standard, and equipment manufacturer's safety and operating manuals. (D) Order of Review : If approval of a Generating Facility interconnection will determine whether any other proposed Generating Facility will fail a technical screen or one of the standards listed in Section (C), the Utility shall process the relevant Generating Facilities' applications in the order they were received. If an Applicant is denied approval for interconnection under one level and reapplies within ten business days under another level, the date of Utility receipt of the initial application shall be used for purposes of the order of review. No automatic extension of Utility review periods are allowed due to one proposed Generating Facility's impact on another proposed Generating Facility. (E) Level 1 Screening Criteria and Process for Inverter-Based Generating Facilities Not Greater than 100 kW: 1. Application: An Applicant must submit a Level 1 Interconnection Application using the standard form provided in Attachment 1 to these Interconnection Requirements, which may be sent electronically to a recipient designated by the Utility. Within three business days of receipt, the Utility shall acknowledge receipt of the application and notify Applicant whether or not the application is complete. If the application is incomplete, the Utility shall provide a written list detailing all information that must be provided to complete the application. The Applicant shall have ten business days after receipt of the list of incomplete material to submit the listed information, or to request an extension of time to provide such information. Otherwise, the application will be deemed withdrawn. The Utility shall notify the Applicant within three business days of receipt of a revised application whether the application is complete or incomplete. The Utility may deem the application withdrawn if it remains incomplete. An Applicant executes the standard Interconnection Agreement for Level 1 by submitting a Level 1 application. 2. Applicable Screens: i. For interconnection of a Generating Facility to a radial distribution circuit, the Generating Facility aggregated with all other generation capable of exporting energy on a line section will not exceed 15 percent of the line section's annual peak load as most recently measured at the substation or calculated for the line section.A line section is that portion of the radial distribution circuit to which the Applicant seeks to interconnect and is bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices or the end of a distribution line. ii. If the Generating Facility is to be interconnected on single-phase shared secondary, then the aggregate generation capacity on the shared secondary, including the Generating Facility, will not exceed 20 kilovolt-amps (kVA). iii. If the Generating Facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a transformer center tap neutral of a 240volt service, its addition will not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240-volt service of more than 20 percent of nameplate rating of the service transformer. iv. The Generating Facility's Generating Capacity cannot exceed the Applicant's existing electrical service entrance capacity. v. No construction of facilities by the Utility on its own system shall be required to accommodate the Generating Facility. (Meters are not considered facilities.) vi. For interconnection of a Generating Facility within a Spot Network or Area Network, the aggregate generating capacity including the Generating Facility may not exceed 50% of the Network's anticipated minimum load. If solar energy Generating Facilities are used exclusively, only the anticipated daytime minimum load shall be considered. The Utility may select any of the following methods to determine anticipated minimum load: a) the Network's measured minimum load in the previous year, if available; b) five percent of the Network's maximum load in the previous year; c) the Applicant's good faith estimate, if provided; or d) the Utility's good faith estimate if provided in writing to the Applicant along with the reasons why the Utility considered the other methods to estimate minimum load inadequate. 3. Time to process screens: Within seven business days after the Utility notifies the Applicant that the application is complete, the Utility shall notify the Applicant whether the Generating Facility meets all of the applicable Level 1 screens. 4. Screens failure: Despite the failure of one or more screens, the Utility, at its sole option, may approve the interconnection provided such approval is consistent with safety and reliability. If the Generating Facility fails one or more of the Level 1 screens and the Utility denies interconnection, then the Utility shall provide the Applicant with detailed information on the reason(s) for failure. The Applicant may reapply for interconnection of the Generating Facility under Levels 2, 3 or 4 as appropriate with an application date based on the initial application date as provided in Section D. 5. Approval: If a Generating Facility meets all of the applicable Level 1 screens, has been approved for connection by an electrical inspector, and is otherwise approved by the Utility, within three business days, the Utility shall send the Applicant a copy of the application form, signed by the Utility, forming the Level 1 Interconnection Agreement. If a Utility does not notify an Applicant in writing or by email within twenty business days whether an application is approved or denied, the Interconnection Agreement signed by the Applicant as part of the Level 1 application shall be deemed effective. 6. Unless extended by mutual agreement of the Parties, within six months of formation of an Interconnection Agreement, the Applicant shall provide the Utility with at least ten business day's notice of the anticipated start date of the Generating Facility. 7. Within five business days of the Applicant's notice of the anticipated start date, the Utility may contact the Applicant to schedule a Utility inspection of the Generating Facility at the Utility's expense. If the Utility does not contact an Applicant to schedule an inspection within five business days of the Applicant's notice of the anticipated start date, the Utility waives its right to inspect the Generating Facility prior to interconnection. Any inspection shall be scheduled to occur within ten business days of the Applicant's notice of the anticipated start date at a time mutually agreeable to the Parties. The Utility may not determine that a Generating Facility has failed the Utility's inspection unless there is evidence of a failure of a Level 1 screen or the Generating Facility does not comply with a standard listed in Section C. If a Generating Facility initially fails a Utility inspection, the Utility shall offer to redo the inspection at the Applicant's expense at a time mutually agreeable to the Parties. 8. Upon delivery to the Utility of evidence of approval by an electrical code official with jurisdiction over the interconnection, an Applicant may begin interconnected operation of a Generating Facility, provided that there is an Interconnection Agreement in effect and that the Generating Facility has not failed an inspection required by the Utility. Evidence of approval by an electric code official includes a signed Certificate of Completion in the form of Attachment 4 or other inspector-provided documentation. 9. The Utility will not charge any application fee for Level 1 review. (F) Level 2 Screening Criteria and Process for Generating Facilities Not Greater than 2 MW: 1. Application: An Applicant must submit a Level 2 Interconnection Application using the standard form provided in Attachment 2 to these Interconnection Requirements, which may be sent electronically to a recipient designated by the Utility. Within three business days of receipt, the Utility shall acknowledge receipt of the application and notify the Applicant whether or not the application is complete. If the application is incomplete, the Utility shall provide a written list detailing all information that must be provided to complete the application. The Applicant will have ten business days after receipt of the list to submit the listed information, or to request an extension of time to provide such information. Otherwise, the application will be deemed withdrawn. The Utility shall notify the Applicant within three business days of receipt of a revised application whether the application is complete or incomplete. The Utility may deem the application withdrawn if it remains incomplete. 2. Applicable screens: i. For interconnection of a Generating Facility to a radial distribution circuit, the Generating Facility aggregated with all other generation capable of exporting energy on a line section will not exceed 15 percent of the line section's annual peak load as most recently measured at the substation or calculated for the line section. A line section is that portion of the radial distribution circuit to which the Applicant seeks to interconnect and is bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices or the end of a distribution line. ii. The Generating Facility, in aggregation with other generation on the distribution circuit, will not contribute more than 10 percent to the distribution circuit's maximum Fault Current at the point on the high-voltage (primary) level nearest the proposed Point of Common Coupling. iii. The Generating Facility, in aggregate with other generation on the distribution circuit, will not cause any distribution protective devices and equipment (including but not limited to substation breakers, fuse cutouts, and line reclosers), or Utility customer equipment on the system, to exceed 90 percent of the short circuit interrupting capability; nor is the interconnection proposed for a circuit that already exceeds 90 percent of the short circuit interrupting capability. iv. The Generating Facility is interconnected to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System as shown in the table below:
v. If the Generating Facility is to be interconnected on single-phase shared secondary, then the aggregate generation capacity on the shared secondary, including the Generating Facility, will not exceed 20 kilovolt-amps (kVA). vi. If the Generating Facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a transformer center tap neutral of a 240volt service, its addition will not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240-volt service of more than 20 percent of nameplate rating of the service transformer. vii. The Generating Facility, in aggregate with other generation interconnected to the distribution low-voltage side of the substation transformer feeding the distribution circuit where the Generating Facility proposes to interconnect, will not exceed 20 MW in an area where there are known or posted transient stability limitations to generating units located in the general electrical vicinity (e.g., three or four transmission voltage level busses from the Point of Common Coupling). viii. The Generating Facility's Point of Common Coupling will not be on a transmission line. ix. The Generating Facility's Generating Capacity cannot exceed the Applicant's existing electrical service entrance capacity. x. No construction of facilities by the Utility on its own system shall be required to accommodate the Generating Facility. xi. For interconnection of a Generating Facility within a Spot Network or Area Network, the Generating Facility must be inverter-based and use a minimum import relay or other protective scheme that will ensure that power imported from the Utility to the network will, during normal Utility operations, remain above one percent of the network's maximum load over the past year or will remain above a point reasonably set by the Utility in good faith. At the Utility's discretion, the requirement for minimum import relays or other protective schemes may be waived. 3. Time to process under screens: Within fifteen business days after the Utility notifies the Applicant that the application is complete, the Utility shall notify the Applicant whether the Generating Facility meets all of the applicable Level 2 screens. 4. Screens failure: Despite the failure of one or more screens, the Utility, at its sole option, may approve the interconnection provided such approval is consistent with safety and reliability. If the Generating Facility fails one or more of the applicable screens and the Utility denies interconnection, then the Utility shall provide the Applicant with detailed information on the reason or reasons for failure. The Applicant may request the application continue to be processed under Level 2 additional review, Level 3 or Level 4 based on the initial application date as provided in Section D. 5. Approval: If a facility meets all of the applicable screens above or is otherwise approved by the Utility, within three business days the Utility shall send an executed Interconnection Agreement to the Applicant. 6. An Applicant that receives an Interconnection Agreement executed by the Utility shall have ten business days to execute the agreement and return it to the Utility. An Applicant shall communicate with the Utility no less frequently than every six months regarding the status of a proposed Generating Facility to which an Interconnection Agreement refers. Within two years from an Applicant's execution of an Interconnection Agreement, the Applicant shall provide the Utility with at least ten business days notice of the anticipated start date of the Generating Facility. 7. Within ten business days of the Applicant's notice of the anticipated start date, a Utility may require an inspection of the Generating Facility at a time mutually agreeable to the Parties at the Utility's expense. The Utility may determine that a Generating Facility has failed the Utility's inspection unless there is evidence that the interconnection fails a Level 2 screen or the Generating Facility does not comply with a standard listed in Section C. If a Generating Facility initially fails a Utility inspection, the Utility shall offer to redo the inspection at the Applicant's expense at a time mutually agreeable to the Parties. 8. Upon delivery to the Utility of evidence of approval by an electrical code official with jurisdiction over the interconnection, an Applicant may begin interconnected operation of a Generating Facility, provided that there is an Interconnection Agreement in effect and that the Generating Facility has not failed an inspection required by the Utility. Evidence of approval by an electric code official includes a signed Certificate of Completion in the form of Attachment 4 or other inspector-provided documentation. 9. Additional review: If a Generating Facility has failed to meet one or more of the Level 2 screens, but the initial review indicates that additional review may enable the Utility to determine that the Generating Facility can be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability and power quality, the Utility shall offer to perform additional review. The Utility shall determine through additional review whether Minor System Modifications would enable the interconnection to be made consistent with safety, reliability and power quality. The Utility shall provide to the Applicant a non-binding, good faith estimate of the costs of such additional review, and/or such Minor System Modifications. The Utility shall undertake the additional review or Minor System Modifications only after the Applicant consents to pay for the review and/or modifications. 10. A Utility may elect to charge an application fee of $50 plus $1 per kW of Generating Capacity for Level 2 review. (G) Level 3 Screening Criteria and Process for Non-Exporting Generating Facilities Not Greater than 20 MW: An Applicant may use the Level 3 Interconnection Application using the standard form provided in Attachment 2 to these Interconnection Requirements, which may be sent electronically to a recipient designated by the Utility, for a Generating Facility with a Generating Capacity no greater than 20 MW that uses reverse power relays, minimum import relays or other protective devices to assure that power may never be exported from the Generating Facility to the Utility. An Applicant proposing to interconnect a Generating Facility to a Spot Network or an Area Network may not use Level 3. (H) Level 4 Process for All Other Generating Facilities: 1. Application: An Applicant must submit a Level 4 Interconnection Application using the standard form provided in Attachment 2 to these Interconnection Requirements, which may be sent electronically to a recipient designated by the Utility. An Applicant whose Level 2 or Level 3 application was denied may request that the Utility treat that existing application already in the Utility's possession as a new Level 4 application. Within three business days of receipt, the Utility shall acknowledge receipt of the application or transfer of an existing application to the Level 4 process and notify the Applicant whether or not the application is complete. If the application is incomplete, the Utility shall provide a written list detailing all information that must be provided to complete the application. The Applicant will have twenty business days after receipt of the list to submit the listed information, or to request an extension of time to provide such information. Otherwise, the application will be deemed withdrawn. The Utility shall notify the Applicant within three business days of receipt of the revised application whether the application is complete or incomplete. The Utility may deem the application withdrawn if it remains incomplete. 2. The Utility will conduct an initial review that includes a scoping meeting with the Applicant within ten days of determination that an application is complete. The scoping meeting shall take place in person or electronically by a means mutually agreeable to the Parties. At the scoping meeting the Utility will provide pertinent information such as: the available Fault Current at the proposed location, the existing peak loading on the lines in the general vicinity of the proposed Generating Facility, and the configuration of the distribution lines at the proposed point of interconnection. By mutual agreement of the Parties, the feasibility study, impact study or facilities study may be waived. 3. If the Parties do not waive the feasibility study, the Utility will provide the Applicant with an agreement, in the form of the feasibility study agreement in Attachment 5 within five days of the scoping meeting. The feasibility study agreement shall include a good faith estimate of the cost and time to undertake the feasibility study to provide a preliminary review of the potential impacts on the distribution system from the proposed interconnection. The feasibility study will provide a preliminary review of short circuit currents, including contribution from the proposed Generating Facility, and coordination and potential overloading of distribution circuit protection devices. The feasibility study shall be completed within twenty business days of the Applicant's delivery of the executed feasibility study agreement and payment in accordance with that agreement, though the Utility may take longer when a proposed Generating Facility will impact other proposed Generating Facilities. Based on the findings in the feasibility study, the Utility may elect to waive the impact study or the facilities study, or both. 4. If the Parties do not waive the impact study, within five business days of the completion of the feasibility study, the Utility shall provide the Applicant with an agreement in the form of the impact study in Attachment 5, including a good faith estimate of the cost and time to undertake the impact study. 5. An impact study for a Generating Facility with a Generating Capacity of no more than ten MW shall include a review of the Generating Facility's protective devices for adherence to IEEE Standard 1547. An impact study for a Generating Facility with a Generating Capacity of more than ten MW shall use IEEE Standard 1547 for guidance. For Generating Facility components that are certified, the Utility may not charge the Applicant for review of those components in isolation. 6. The Utility shall include in its compliance tariff a description of the various elements of an impact study it would typically undertake pursuant to this section, including: a. Connection Configuration b. Power Flow, Short Circuit and Stability Analysis: i. Reliability Studies power flow analysis ii. System Rating and Voltage Screening power flow analysis iii. Transfer Capability power flow analysis iv. Fault Duty short circuit analysis v. Stability stability analysis c. Protection d. Power Quality, Reliability, and Environmental Concerns: i. Voltage Unbalance ii. Voltage Flicker iii. Harmonic Distortion iv. Transient Over-voltage v. Temporary Over-voltage vi. Temporary Under-voltage vii. Insulation Coordination viii. Underground Network Balancing ix. Environmental Review Process e. Impact on System Operation f. Voltage Collapse Study (and the conditions that would justify including this element in the Impact Study). 7. Once an Applicant delivers an executed impact study agreement and payment in accordance with that agreement, the Utility will conduct the impact study. The impact study shall be completed within forty business days of the Applicant's delivery of the executed impact study agreement, though the Utility may take longer when a proposed Generating Facility will impact other proposed Generating Facilities. 8. If the Utility determines that its Electrical Distribution System modifications required to accommodate the proposed interconnection are not substantial, the impact study will identify the scope and cost of the modifications defined in the impact study results and no facilities study shall be required. 9. If the Utility determines that necessary modifications to the Utility's Electrical Distribution System are substantial, the results of the impact study will include an estimate of the cost of the facilities study and an estimate of the modification costs. The detailed costs of any Utility's Electrical Distribution System modifications necessary to interconnect the Applicant's proposed Generating Facility will be identified in a facilities study to be completed by the Utility. 10. If the Parties do not waive the facilities study, within five business days of the completion of the impact study, the Utility shall provide a facilities study agreement, in the form of the facilities study in Attachment 5, including a good faith estimate of the cost and time to undertake the facilities study. 11. Once the Applicant executes the facilities study agreement and pays the Utility pursuant to the terms of that agreement, the Utility will conduct the facilities study. The facilities study shall include a detailed list of the Utilities' necessary Electrical Distribution System upgrades and a cost estimate for completing such upgrades, which may not be exceeded by 120% in any future Utility facilities installation. The work scope of the facilities study shall include (but not limited) to the following: a. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) requirements b. Metering requirements c. Relay modifications on the Utility's system d. Equipment replacement e. Re-conductoring or rebuild of transfer lines f. Transfer trip requirements g. Other protection relaying needs h. Gang-operated switches i. New high voltage (HV) lines, re-conductoring or upgrading of lines j. Dedicated primary feeders k. Substation rebuild or building of new or additional switchgear(s) l. Telecommunications including radio enhancements m. A list of assumptions used in developing the scope n. An estimated construction schedule, or project milestones 12. The facilities study shall be completed within sixty business days of the Applicant's delivery of the executed facilities study agreement, though the Utility may take longer when a proposed Generating Facility will impact other proposed Generating Facilities. 13. Within five business days of completion of the last study that the Utility deems necessary, the Utility shall execute and send the Applicant an Interconnection Agreement using the standard form agreement provided in Attachment 3 of these Interconnection Requirements. The Interconnection Agreement shall include a quote for any required Electrical Distribution System modifications, subject to the cost limit set by the facilities study cost estimate. The facilities study shall indicate the milestones for completion of the Applicant's installation of its Generating Facility and the Utility completion of any Electrical Distribution System modifications, and the milestones from the facilities study (if any) shall be incorporated into the Interconnection Agreement. 14. Within forty business days of the receipt of an Interconnection Agreement, the Applicant shall execute and return the Interconnection Agreement and notify the Utility of the anticipated start date of the Generating Facility. Unless the Utility agrees to a later date or requires more time for necessary modifications to its Electrical Distribution System, the Applicant shall identify an anticipated start date that is within two years of the Applicant's execution of the Interconnection Agreement. 15. The Utility shall inspect the completed Generating Facility installation for compliance with requirements and shall attend any required commissioning tests pursuant to IEEE Standard 1547. For systems greater than 10 MW, IEEE Standard 1547 may be used as guidance. Provided that any required commissioning tests are satisfactory, the Utility shall notify the Applicant in writing that operation of the Generating Facility is approved. 16. The Applicant shall notify the Utility if there is any anticipated change in the anticipated start date of interconnected operations of the Generating Facility. Upon approval by an electrical code official with jurisdiction over the interconnection and notification of approval from the Utility, the Applicant may commence interconnected operations. 17. Fees: An application fee shall not exceed $100 plus $1 per kW of Generating Capacity, as well as charges for actual time spent on any interconnection study. Costs for Utility facilities necessary to accommodate the Applicant's Generating Facility interconnection shall be the responsibility of the Applicant. (I) Online Application Requirement : 1. Each Utility shall allow interconnection applications to be submitted through the Utility's website. 2. The Utility shall dedicate a page on their website to interconnection requirements. The relevant website page shall include (i) these Interconnection Requirements and attachments in an electronically searchable format, (ii) the Utility's interconnection application forms in a format that allows for electronic entry of data, (iii) the Utility's interconnection agreements, and (iv) the Utility's point of contact for submission of interconnection applications including email and phone number. (J) General Provisions and Requirements: 1. Applicant is responsible for construction of the Generating Facility and obtaining any necessary local code official approval (electrical, zoning, etc.). 2. Applicant conducts the commissioning test pursuant to the IEEE Standard 1547 and complies with all manufacturer requirements. 3. To assist Applicants in the interconnection process, a Utility shall designate an employee or office from which basic information on interconnections can be obtained. Upon request, the Utility shall provide interested Applicants with all relevant forms, documents and technical requirements for filing a complete application. Upon an Applicant's request, a Utility shall meet with an Applicant at the Utility's offices or by telephone prior to submission for up to one hour for Level 1 Applicants and two hours for other Applicants. 4. The authorized hourly rate for engineering review under additional review or Level 4 shall be the established City Light wage schedule at the time of the interconnection application. 5. A Utility shall not require an Applicant to install additional controls, or to perform or pay for additional tests to obtain approval to interconnect for a Level 1 Applicants. For Levels 2, 3, or 4 Applicants, however, a utility accessible disconnect switch for non-inverter-based Generating Facilities may be required. Scope and details of the isolation requirements are highlighted in Attachment 3: Level 2, 3, and 4 Interconnection Agreement. 6. A Utility may only require an Applicant to purchase insurance covering Utility damages, and then only in the following amounts: i. For non-inverter-based Generating Facilities: Generating Capacity > 5 MW $3,000,000 2 MW < Generating Capacity ≤ 5 MW $2,000,000 500 kW < Generating Capacity ≤ 2 MW $1,000,000 50 kW < Generating Capacity ≤ 500 kW $500,000 Generating Capacity ≤ 50 kW no insurance ii. For inverter-based Generating Facilities: Generating Capacity > 5 MW $2,000,000 2 MW < Generating Capacity ≤ 5 MW $1,000,000 Generating Capacity ≤ 1 MW no insurance 7. Additional protection equipment not included with the Interconnection Equipment Package may be required at a Utility's discretion as long as the performance of an Applicant's Generating Facility is not negatively impacted and the Applicant is not charged for any equipment that provides protection that is already provided by interconnection equipment Certified in accordance with Section C. 8. Metering: Net Metering for Solar, Wind, Hydropower and Fuel Cells as set forth in RCW 80.60: the Utility shall install, own and maintain a kilowatt-hour meter, or meters as the installation may determine, capable of registering the bidirectional flow of electricity at the point of common coupling at a level of accuracy that meets all applicable standards, regulations and statutes. The meter(s) may measure such parameters as time of delivery, power factor, voltage and such other parameters as the utility shall specify. The Applicant shall provide space for metering equipment. It will be the Applicant's responsibility to provide the current transformer enclosure (if required), meter socket(s) and junction box after the applicant has submitted drawings and equipment specifications for the utility approval. The Utility may approve other generating sources for net metering but is not required to do so. Net metering is available to generating facilities sized up to 100 kW only. 9. Production Metering: The Utility may require separate metering for production of electricity as required under applicable power purchase or credit programs. This meter will record all generation produced and may be billed separately from any net metering or customer usage metering. All costs associated with the installation of production metering will be paid by the Applicant. 10. Once an interconnection has been approved under these procedures, a Utility shall not require an Interconnection Customer to test its Generating Facility except that the Utility may require any manufacturer-recommended testing and: i. For Levels 2 and 3, an annual test in which the Interconnection Customer's Generating Facility is disconnected from the Utility's equipment to ensure that the Generating Facility stops delivering power to the Electrical Distribution System. ii. For Level 4, all interconnection-related protective functions and associated batteries shall be periodically tested at intervals specified by the manufacturer, system integrator, or authority that has jurisdiction over the interconnection. Periodic test reports or a log for inspection shall be maintained. 11. A Utility shall have the right to inspect an Interconnection Customer's Generating Facility before and after interconnection approval is granted, at reasonable hours and with reasonable prior notice provided to the Interconnection Customer. If the Utility discovers an Interconnection Customer's Generating Facility is not in compliance with the requirements of IEEE Standard 1547, and the non-compliance adversely affects the safety or reliability of the electric system, the Utility may require disconnection of the Interconnection Customer's Generating Facility until the Generating Facility complies with IEEE Standard 1547. 12. The Interconnection Customer may disconnect the Generating Facility at any time without notice to the Utility and may terminate the Interconnection Agreement at any time with one day's notice to the Utility. 13. An Applicant may designate a representative to process an application on Applicant's behalf, and an Interconnection Customer may designate a representative to meet some or all of the Interconnection Customer's responsibilities under the Interconnection Agreement. 14. For a Generating Facility offsetting part or the entire load of a utility customer at a given site, that customer is the Interconnection Customer and that customer may assign its Interconnection Agreement to a subsequent occupant of the site. For a Generating Facility providing energy directly to a Utility, the Interconnection Customer is the owner of the Generating Facility and may assign its Interconnection Agreement to a subsequent owner of the Generating Facility. Assignment is only effective after the assignee provides written notice of the assignment to the Utility and agrees to accept the Interconnection Customer's responsibilities under the Interconnection Agreement. 15. Prior to any future modification or expansion of the Generating Facility, the Interconnection Customer will obtain Utility review and approval. The Utility reserves the right to require the Interconnection Customer, at the Interconnection Customer's expense, to provide corrections or additions to existing electrical devices in the event of modification of government or industry regulations and standards. 16. For the overall safety and protection of the utility system, RCW 80.60 currently limits interconnection of generation for net metering to 0.1% of the utility's peak demand during 1996. Additionally, interconnection of generating facilities to individual distribution feeders will be limited to 10% of the feeder's peak capacity. However, the Utility may, in its sole discretion, allow additional generation interconnection beyond these stated limits. 17. Reasonable Efforts: The Utility shall make reasonable efforts to meet all time frames provided in these procedures unless the Utility and the Applicant agree to a different schedule. If the Utility cannot meet a deadline provided herein, it shall notify the Applicant, explain the reason for the failure to meet the deadline, and provide an estimated time by which it will complete the applicable interconnection procedure in the process. (K) Dispute Resolution : 1. For a dispute related to these rules, either Party may submit a written request to the other Party for an informal meeting by phone, electronic media, or in person to attempt to resolve the dispute. Following such a request, each Party shall make available a person with authority to resolve the dispute. A meeting shall be scheduled for at least one hour, but may be shorter at the option of the Party requesting the meeting. The meeting shall take place at a time and in a manner agreeable to the Party receiving the request within three business days of the Party's receipt of the request for a meeting. If a dispute involves technical issues, persons with sufficient technical expertise and familiarity with the issue in dispute from each Party shall also attend the informal meeting. 2. If an informal meeting of the Parties does not resolve a dispute, the Parties may mutually agree to further discussions or either Party may seek resolution of the dispute through the complaint or mediation procedures available in Seattle City Light's Departmental Policy and Procedures (DPP) Customer Dispute Resolution (DPP 500P III-425).
|