Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Public Service Commission
Interconnection and Distributed Generation Standards
Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section R. 460.901a - Definitions; A-I
Current through Vol. 24-16, September 15, 2024
Rule 1a. As used in these rules:
(a) "AC" means alternating current at 60 Hertz.
(b) "Affected system" means another electric utility's distribution system, a municipal electric utility's distribution system, the transmission system, or transmission system- connected generation which may be affected by the proposed interconnection.
(c) "Affiliate" means that term as defined in R 460.10102(1)(a).
(d) "Alternative electric supplier" means that term as defined in section 10 g of 1939 PA 3, MCL 460.10g.
(e) "Alternative electric supplier distributed generation program plan" means a document supplied by an alternative electric supplier that provides detailed information to an applicant about the alternative electric supplier's distributed generation program.
(f) "Alternative electric supplier legacy net metering program plan" means a document supplied by an alternative electric supplier that provides detailed information to an applicant about the alternative electric supplier's legacy net metering program.
(g) "Applicant" means the person or entity submitting an interconnection application, a legacy net metering program application, or a distributed generation program application. An applicant is not required to be an existing customer of an electric utility. An electric utility is considered an applicant when it submits an interconnection application for a DER that is not a temporary DER or a substation backup energy storage device.
(h) "Application" means an interconnection application, a legacy net metering program application, or a distributed generation program application.
(i) "Area network" means a location on the distribution system served by multiple transformers interconnected in an electrical network circuit.
(j) "Business day" means Monday through Friday, starting at 12:00:00 a.m. and ending at 11:59:59 p.m., excluding electric utility holidays and any day where electric service is interrupted for 10% or more of an electric utility's customers.
(k) "Calendar day" means every day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
(l) "Certified" means an inverter-based system has met acceptable safety and reliability standards by a nationally recognized testing laboratory in conformance with IEEE 1547.1-2020 and the UL 1741 September 28, 2021 edition except that prior to commercial availability, inverter-based systems which conform to the UL 1741SA September 7, 2016 edition are acceptable.
(m) "Commission" means the Michigan public service commission.
(n) "Commissioning test" means the test and verification procedure that is performed on a device or combination of devices forming a system to confirm that the device or system, as designed, delivered, and installed, meets the interconnection and interoperability requirements of IEEE 1547-2018 and IEEE 1547.1-2020. A commissioning test must include visual inspections and may include, as applicable, an operability and functional performance test and functional tests to verify interoperability of a combination of devices forming a system.
(o) "Conforming" means the information in an interconnection application is consistent with the general principles of distribution system operation and DER characteristics.
(p) "Customer" means a person or entity who receives electric service from an electric utility's distribution system or a person who participates in a legacy net metering or distributed generation program through an alternative electric supplier or electric utility.
(q) "DC" means "direct current."
(r) "Distributed energy resource" or "DER" means a source of electric power and its associated facilities that is connected to a distribution system. DER includes both generators and energy storage devices capable of exporting active power to a distribution system.
(s) "Distributed generation program" means the distributed generation program approved by the commission and included in an electric utility's tariff pursuant to section 6a(14) of 1939 PA 3, MCL 460.6a, or established in an alternative electric supplier distributed generation program plan.
(t) "Distribution system" means the structures, equipment, and facilities owned and operated by an electric utility to deliver electricity to end users, not including transmission and generation facilities that are subject to the jurisdiction of the federal energy regulatory commission.
(u) "Distribution upgrades" mean the additions, modifications, or improvements to the distribution system necessary to accommodate a DER's connection to the distribution system.
(v) Electric utility" means any person or entity whose rates are regulated by the commission for selling electricity to retail customers in this state. For purposes of R 460.901a through R 460.992 only, "electric utility" includes cooperative electric utilities that are member regulated as provided in section 4 of the electric cooperative member-regulation act, 2008 PA 167, MCL 460.34.
(w) "Electrically coincident" means that 2 or more proposed DERs associated with pending interconnection applications have operating characteristics and nameplate capacities which require that distribution upgrades will be necessary if the DERs are installed in electrical proximity with each other on a distribution system.
(x) "Electrically remote" means a proposed DER is not electrically coincident with a DER that is associated with a pending interconnection application.
(y) "Eligible electric generator" means a methane digester or renewable energy system with a generation capacity limited to a customer's electric need and that does not exceed either of the following:
(z) "Energy storage device" means a device that captures energy produced at one time, stores that energy for a period of time, and delivers that energy as electricity for use at a future time. For purposes of these rules, an energy storage device may be considered a DER.
(aa) "Export capacity" means the amount of power that can be transferred from the DER to the distribution system. Export capacity is either the nameplate rating or a lower amount if limited using an acceptable means that is defined in an electric utility's interconnection procedures.
(bb) "Facilities study" means a study to specify and estimate the cost of the equipment, engineering, procurement, and construction work if distribution upgrades or interconnection facilities are required.
(cc) "Fast track" means the procedure used for evaluating a proposed interconnection that makes use of screening processes, as described in R 460.944 to R 460.950.
(dd) "Force majeure event" means an act of God; labor disturbance; act of the public enemy; war; insurrection; riot; fire, storm, or flood; explosion, breakage, or accident to machinery or equipment; an emergency order, regulation or restriction imposed by governmental, military, or lawfully established civilian authorities; or another cause beyond a party's control. A force majeure event does not include an act of negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
(ee) "Full retail rate" means the power supply and distribution components of the cost of electric service. Full retail rate does not include a system access charge, service charge, or other charge that is assessed on a per meter, premise, or customer basis.
(ff) "Good standing" means an applicant has paid in full all undisputed bills rendered by the interconnecting electric utility and any alternative electric supplier in a timely manner and none of these bills are in arrears.
(gg) "Governmental authority" means any federal, state, local, or other governmental regulatory or administrative agency, court, commission, department, board, or other governmental subdivision, legislature, rulemaking board, tribunal, or other governmental authority having jurisdiction over the parties, their respective facilities, or the respective services they provide, and exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, police, or taxing authority or power; provided, however, that this term does not include the applicant, interconnection customer, electric utility, or any affiliate thereof.
(hh) "GPS" means global positioning system.
(ii) "Grid network" means a configuration of a distribution system or an area of a distribution system in which each customer is supplied electric energy at the secondary voltage by more than 1 transformer.
(jj) "High voltage distribution" means those parts of a distribution system that operate within a voltage range specified in the electric utility's interconnection procedures. For purposes of these rules, the term 'subtransmission" means the same as high voltage distribution.
(kk) "IEEE" means institute of electrical and electronics engineers.
(ll) "IEEE 1547-2018" means "IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces," as adopted by reference in R 460.902.
(mm) "IEEE 1547.1-2020" means IEEE 'standard Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems and Associated Interfaces," as adopted by reference in R 460.902.
(nn) "Inadvertent export" means unscheduled export of active power from a DER, exceeding a specified magnitude and for a limited duration, due to fluctuations in load-following behavior.
(oo) "Independent system operator" means an independent, federally-regulated entity established to coordinate regional transmission in a non-discriminatory manner and to ensure the safety and reliability of the transmission and distribution systems.
(pp) "Initial review" means the fast track initial review screens described in R 460.946.
(qq) "Interconnection" means the process undertaken by an electric utility to construct the electrical facilities necessary to connect a DER with a distribution system so that parallel operation can occur.
(rr) "Interconnection agreement" means an agreement containing the terms and conditions governing the electrical interconnection between the electric utility and the applicant or interconnection customer. Where construction of interconnection facilities or distribution upgrades are necessary, the agreement, or amendments, shall specify estimated timelines, cost estimates, and payment milestones for construction of facilities and distribution upgrades to interconnect a DER into the distribution system, and shall identify design, controls, settings, procurement, installation, and construction requirements associated with installation of the DER. Standard level 1, 2, and 3 interconnection agreements and level 4 and 5 interconnection agreements are types of interconnection agreements.
(ss) "Interconnection coordinator" means a person or persons designated by the electric utility who shall serve as the point of contact from which general information on the application process and on the affected system or systems can be obtained through informal request by the applicant or interconnection customer.
(tt) "Interconnection customer" means the person or entity, which may include the electric utility, responsible for ensuring a DER is operated and maintained in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, as well as with all rules, standards, and interconnection procedures. An electric utility is not considered an interconnection customer for temporary DER or a substation backup energy storage device project.
(uu) "Interconnection facilities" mean any equipment required for the sole purpose of connecting a DER with a distribution system.
(vv) "Interconnection procedures" mean the requirements that govern project interconnection adopted by each electric utility and approved by the commission.
(ww) "Interconnection study agreement" means an agreement between an applicant and an electric utility for the electric utility to study a proposed DER.
