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 17.9.568.15 - SIMPLIFIED PROCESS

Universal Citation: 17 NM Admin Code 17.9.568.15

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. Application: An interconnection customer must submit an interconnection application, pursuant to Subsection B of 17.9.568.13 NMAC, using the standard simplified interconnection application form provided in Appendix 1A, which may be sent electronically to a recipient designated by the utility. The application fee specified in Subsection A of 17.9.568.23 NMAC shall be submitted along with the application. An interconnection customer executes the standard interconnection agreement for the simplified process by submitting a simplified process application.

B. Simplified screening: The utility shall evaluate the interconnection application using the following simplified screens.

(1) Screen 1: The generating facility must utilize a UL 1741 certified inverter.

(2) Screen 2: For interconnection of a proposed generating facility to the load side of network protectors, the proposed generating facility must utilize an inverter-based equipment package and, its nameplate rating, together with the nameplate rating of the aggregated other inverter-based generation, shall not exceed fifty percent of the secondary network's relevant minimum load.

(3) Screen 3: Until December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed generating facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the generating facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed generating facility, may not exceed one hundred percent of the relevant minimum load (or fifteen percent of maximum load if minimum load data is unavailable) normally supplied by the distribution circuit. After December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed generating facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the generating facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed generating facility, may not exceed one hundred percent of the relevant minimum load normally supplied by the distribution circuit.

(4) Screen 4: If the proposed generating facility is to be interconnected on a single-phase shared secondary, the aggregate export capacity generation capacity on the shared secondary, including the proposed generating facility, shall not exceed sixty-five percent of the transformer nameplate power rating.

(5) Screen 5: If the proposed generating facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 120/240 volt service, its addition shall not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than twenty percent of the nameplate rating of the service transformer.

C. Simplified screening results: Within seven business days after the utility notifies the applicant that its interconnection application is complete, the utility shall notify the customer whether the generating facility meets the simplified process screens and include with the notification copies of the analysis and data underlying the utility's determinations under the screens. 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.

(1) Failed screens: If the utility cannot determine that the generating facility may nevertheless be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards, the utility shall provide the applicant the screen results. If one or more screens are not passed, the utility shall provide, in writing, the specific screens that the interconnection application failed, including the technical reason for failure. The utility shall provide information and detail about the specific system threshold or limitation causing the interconnection application to fail the screen. In addition, the utility shall allow the customer to select one of the following, at the applicant's option:
(a) undergo supplemental review in accordance with 17.9.568.17 NMAC; or

(b) continue evaluating the interconnection application under detailed study in accordance with 17.9.568.18 NMAC. The applicant must notify the utility of its selection within 10 business days or the interconnection application will be deemed withdrawn.

(2) Approval: If the proposed generating facility passes the screens, or the utility determines the proposed generating facility can be interconnected safely and reliably despite the failure of one or more screens, the interconnection application shall be approved. The utility shall return to the applicant an executed simplified process interconnection agreement at the same time it provides the applicant with the screen results. If the utility determines that the generating facility can be interconnected safely and reliably, but requires construction of interconnection facilities or distribution system modifications, the utility shall instead process the interconnection application according to the procedures for the fast track process starting at 17.9.568.16 NMAC.

D. Reference point of applicability review:

(1) The following process will occur concurrently with the simplified process screening in Subsections B and C of 17.9.568.15 NMAC. Within five business days after the utility notifies the applicant that the interconnection application is complete, the utility shall review the reference point of applicability denoted by the applicant and determine if it is appropriate.

(2) If it is determined that the reference point of applicability is appropriate, the utility will notify the applicant when it provides the simplified screen results and proceed according to Subsection C of 17.9.568.15 NMAC.

(3) If the utility determines the reference point of applicability is inappropriate, the utility will notify the applicant in writing, including an explanation as to why it requires correction. Applicant shall provide the utility with a corrected interconnection application with the proper reference point of applicability within five business days of notification. During this time the utility will proceed with applying the simplified screens. The utility shall review the revised interconnection request within five business days of receipt to determine if the revised reference point of applicability has been appropriately denoted. If correct, the utility will proceed according to Subsection C of 17.9.568.15 but be provided with a total of 12 business days to provide the simplified results. If the interconnection customer does not provide the appropriate reference point of applicability or a request for an extension of time within the deadline, the interconnection application will be deemed withdrawn.

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