Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024
(1) A public
utility must use the Tier 1 review procedures when an applicant submits an
application to interconnect a small generator facility that meets the following
requirements:
(a) The small generator facility
must have an export capacity not greater than 25 kilowatts, a nameplate rating
not greater than 50 kilowatts, and use a UL 1741 certified inverter;
and
(b) The small generator
facility must not be interconnected to a transmission line or an area
network.
(2) Tier 1
Approval Criteria. A public utility must approve an application for
interconnection under the Tier 1 interconnection review procedures if the small
generator facility meets the approval criteria in subsections (a) through (f).
A public utility may not impose different or additional approval criteria.
(a) A Tier 1 small generator facility
interconnection must use existing public utility facilities.
(b) Substation transformer backfeed screen.
Where existing protective devices and equipment cannot adequately support
backfeed, the aggregated export capacity on the substation transformer must be
less than 80 percent of the relevant minimum load for the substation
transformer.
(c) Penetration Screen
for interconnection to a radial distribution circuit.
(A) If 12 months of minimum load data
(including onsite load but not station service load served by the proposed
small generator facility) are available for the line section, the aggregated
export capacity on the line section is less than 90 percent of the relevant
minimum load for all line sections bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices
upstream of the proposed small generator facility;
(B) If 12 months of minimum load data
(including onsite load but not station service load served by the proposed
small generator facility) are not available for the line section, the
aggregated export capacity on the circuit is less than 90 percent of the
relevant minimum load for the feeder;
(C) If minimum load data are not available
for the line section or the circuit, the aggregated export capacity on the
circuit must not exceed 15 percent of the line section annual peak load as most
recently measured at the substation or calculated for the line
section.
(d) Network
Screen. For interconnection of a small generator facility within a spot
network, the aggregate nameplate rating may not exceed 20 percent of the spot
network anticipated minimum load. The public utility may select any of the
following methods to determine anticipated minimum load:
(A) The spot network's measured minimum load
in the previous year, if available;
(B) Five percent of the spot network's
maximum load in the previous year;
(C) The applicant's good faith estimate, if
provided; or
(D) The public
utility's good faith estimate if provided in writing to the applicant along
with the reasons why the public utility considered the other methods to
estimate minimum load inadequate.
(e) Single-Phase Shared Secondary Screen. For
interconnection of a small generator facility to a single-phase shared
secondary line, the aggregated export capacity on the shared secondary must not
exceed 65 percent of the transformer nameplate power rating.
(f) Service Imbalance Screen. For
interconnection of a single-phase small generator facility to the center tap
neutral of a 240-volt service line, the addition of the small generator
facility must not create a current imbalance between the two sides of the
240-volt service line of more than 20 percent of the nameplate power rating of
the service transformer.
(3) In addition to the timelines and
requirements in OAR 860-082-0025, the public utility must provide written
notice to the applicant stating whether the small generator facility meets the
Tier 1 approval criteria no later than 15 business days from the date a Tier 1
interconnection application is deemed complete. If a public utility does not
notify an applicant whether the interconnection is approved or denied within 20
business days after the application is deemed complete, the interconnection
will be deemed approved.
(4)
Interconnection after passing screens. If the proposed interconnection passes
the screens, the public utility must follow the requirements in OAR
860-082-0025(7)(f).
(5) Approval
despite screen failure. Despite the failure of one or more screens, the public
utility, at its sole option, may approve the interconnection provided such
approval is consistent with safety and reliability. If the public utility
determines that the small generator facility can be interconnected safely if
minor modifications to the transmission or distribution system were made (for
example, changing meters, fuses, or relay settings), then the public utility
must offer the applicant a good-faith, non-binding estimate of the costs of
such proposed minor modifications. Modifications are not considered minor under
this section if the total cost of the modifications exceeds $10,000. If the
applicant authorizes the public utility to proceed with the minor modifications
and agrees to pay the entire cost of the modifications, then the public utility
must approve the application.
(6)
Process after screen failure. If the public utility cannot determine that the
small generator facility may nevertheless be interconnected consistent with
safety, reliability, and power quality standards, at the time the public
utility notifies the applicant of the Tier 1 review results, the public utility
must provide the applicant with:
(a) The
screen results including specific information on the reason(s) for failure in
writing using a standard format approved by the Commission; and
(b) An executable Supplemental Review
Agreement.
(c) In addition, the
public utility must allow the applicant to select one of the following, at the
applicant's option. The applicant must notify the public utility of its
selection within 10 business days, or the application will be deemed withdrawn.
(A) Request an applicant options
meeting;
(B) Undergo supplemental
review in accordance with OAR 860-082-0063; or
(C) Continue evaluating the application under
Tier 4.
(7)
Applicant options meeting. If the applicant requests an applicant options
meeting, the public utility shall offer to convene a meeting at a mutually
agreeable time within 15 business days of the applicant's request. At the
applicant options meeting the public utility shall provide the applicant the
opportunity to review the screen analysis and related results, to designate a
different RPA, to review possible customers-generator modifications, and to
discuss what further steps are needed to permit the small generator facility to
connect safely and reliably.
(8)
The interconnection process is not complete until:
(a) The witness test, if conducted by the
public utility, is successful; and
(b) The applicant and public utility execute
a certificate of completion. The certificate of completion must follow the
standard form certificate developed by the public utility and approved by the
Commission.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756 & ORS
757
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS
756.040 & ORS
756.060
