New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 17 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND UTILITY SERVICES
Chapter 9 - ELECTRIC SERVICES
Part 568 - INTERCONNECTION OF GENERATING FACILITIES WITH A NAMEPLATE RATING UP TO AND INCLUDING 10 MW CONNECTING TO A UTILITY SYSTEM
Section 17.9.568.12 - DETERMINATION OF EXPORT CAPACITY STATUS

(a) Reverse power protection (Device 32R): To limit export of power across the point of interconnection, a reverse power protective function is implemented using a utility grade protective relay. The default setting for this protective function shall be one tenth percent (export) of the service transformer's nominal base nameplate rating, with a maximum two second time delay to limit inadvertent export.

(b) Minimum power protection (Device 32F): To limit export of power across the point of interconnection, a minimum import protective function is implemented utilizing a utility grade protective relay. The default setting for this protective function shall be five percent (import) of the generating unit's total nameplate capacity, with a maximum two second time delay to limit inadvertent export.

(c) Relative distributed energy resource rating: This option requires the DER facility's nameplate capacity to be no greater than fifty percent of the interconnection customer's verifiable minimum host load during DER operating hours over the past 12 months. This option is not available for interconnections to area networks or spot networks.

(a) Directional power protection (Device 32): To limit export of power across the point of interconnection, a directional power protective function is implemented using a utility grade protective relay. The default setting for this protective function shall be the export capacity value, with a maximum 2.0 second time delay to limit inadvertent export.

(b) Configured power rating: A reduced output power rating utilizing the power rating configuration setting may be used to ensure the DER does not generate power beyond a certain value lower than the nameplate capacity. The configuration setting corresponds to the active or apparent power ratings in Table 28 of IEEE Std 1547-2018, as described in subclause 10.4. A local DER communication interface is not required to utilize the configuration setting if it can be set by other certified means. The reduced power rating may be indicated by means of a nameplate rating replacement or, a supplemental adhesive de-rating tag to indicate the reduced power output capacity. The customer must also provide a signed attestation confirming the reduced power output capacity. This method must be certified to IEEE 1547.1-2020. Use of a configured power rating not applied to individual power conversion unit(s) shall require evaluation under mutually agreed-upon means.

(a) Certified power control systems: DER facilities may use certified power control systems to limit export. DER facilities utilizing this option must use a power control system and inverter certified per UL 1741 by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) with a maximum open loop response time of no more than 30 seconds. NRTL testing to the UL power control system certification requirements decision shall be accepted until similar test procedures for power control systems are included in a standard. This option is not available for interconnections to area networks or spot networks.

(b) Agreed-upon means: DER facilities may be designed with other control systems or protective functions to limit export and inadvertent export if mutual agreement is reached with the distribution provider. The limits may be based on technical limitations of the interconnection customer's equipment or the electric distribution system equipment. To ensure inadvertent export remains within mutually agreed-upon limits, the interconnection customer may use an uncertified power control system, an internal transfer relay, energy management system, or other customer facility hardware or software if approved by the distribution provider.