Transcript Utility Presentation 6.13.12 - Massachusetts Distributed Generation

Presentation for Plenary Meeting #2
Wednesday June 13th
Current timeline issues
Mike Brigandi - NStar
Cindy Janke - WMECo
Morning Presentation
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Outline
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Root Causes of Current Application
Timelines – these were not captured in the
KEMA report
Strategy for Deeper Dive/Streamlining
internal process
Root Cause Overview
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General Inquiries
Speculative applications
Multiple applications slated for same POI
Increasing complexity
Maturing applications
Customer delays in providing info
Stale applications
External factors
Program vs Process Activity
Unrealistic Timeframes/Expectations
Root causes of Current Timelines
Applicant Inquiries for Interconnection
without an Application
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We receive Large # of customer RFI’s W/O App
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Google Earth or Bing Liveview image marked up with
their proposed location
We typically provide: Circuit voltage, Number of
Phases
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These inquiries can nonetheless take significant time
to process.
The interconnection process requires an application
with a one line diagram and a plot plan.
Root causes of Current Timelines
“Speculative Applications"
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About 20% of the applications received considered
“speculative "
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Minimal/No due diligence in preparing application
No inverter / generator specs.
"Plot plan" consists of a Hand Marked Google Earth image
with a box drawn to show the PV array.
One Line diagram incomplete, may not agree with either the
plot plan or the application.
No protection system drawings
In these cases, it is clear that the applicant has expended
minimal effort and commitment searching for easy-tointerconnect sites and sends minimal information.
Sent back to the applicant for more complete information
Root causes of Current Timelines
Multiple Applications in a Single Area
 Several developers want to come online in a single
region.
 All applicants submitted full applications and paid
application fees.
 Applicants are queued
 Each applicant’s interconnection study is interdependent
and must await completion of the prior application in the
queue
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May take over three months, for example, to study 4th
applicant in queue
 Studying multiple n-1 contingencies further exacerbates
this issue
 Bottom Line here is in some cases job clock CAN NOT
start with completed application acknowledgement
because it may have to sit static in the queue for some
time as prior studies are completed
Root causes of Current Timelines
Engineering Complexities
 DG interconnections over 1MW requires a recloser at
PCC to disconnect DG during N-1
 Minimal DG recloser design requires
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radio test to determine SCADA connectivity
Coordination of several engineering groups; C&P,
Communication, SCADA, System Eng, Field End, Field
Communication
Engineering solution may require additional construction at
our station
Direct Transfer Trip scheme may be required
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Synchronous Generators
Areas where no radio signal can be acquired
Adverse conditions during N-0 system configuration
Require Fiber infrastructure at site which may be
complicated if region has none
Huge amount of coordination between both Utility and
Customer, and internal groups at Utility
Root causes of Current Timelines
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Maturing Pipeline of Applications
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Large applications are just now starting to
go through construction and interconnection
phase of process
Significant amount of coordination required
due to wide range of functions involved –
this is done by the same group that
processes applications
It’s a dynamic process…new issues
typically encountered weekly
Root causes of Current Timelines
Customer Info Required
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DG process often is held up while information is
required from the Customer
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Complete set of stamped C&P drawings
Copy of settings and protection study
Lack of understanding leads to incomplete
applications and slow turnaround of updated
information
Often the Customer’s engineer is not able to provide
the information needed in an expeditious manner,
resulting in the overall project complete date being
inevitably moved out.
Root causes of Current Timelines
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Skill-set of Customer Engineers
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Very few capable firms
Often Utility engineers are asked many
fundamental questions
Working closely with the consultants takes up a
significant amount of time
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More meetings
More emails
More phone calls
Often customer consultants simply lack Utility and
Power Engineering experience
Root causes of Current Timelines
Projects “Dead on the Vine”
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DG Customers often ask where the best places to
interconnect
Currently no such information is directly available
This info would be very difficult to build and maintain.
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Would take a significant effort and allocation of vital
resources to create such a database
Would quickly become out of date because Utility system is
constantly changing
Comprehensive system studies for each customer will
remain as the only option for guaranteeing safe and
reliable system for our customers.
Customers solution – submit many simultaneous
applications intending to act on most lucrative
Result – many projects clogging up the DG pipeline with
unknown or obsolete statuses.
Only rarely are irrelevant projects withdrawn proactively
Root causes of Current Timelines
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External Factors
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Permitting
Telephone company pole sets
Tree trimming
Applications 1 MW and above require further ISO-NE
study, review and approval.
Applications 1 to 5 MW also requires additional
document filed and approved by Reliability Committee
(This can take up to 2 Months)
Applications > 5 MW require at least a level 2 I.3.9
application
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Additional approvals
May take an additional 3 to 6 months for review and
approval
Can not be filed until Interconnection Study Completed
Process vs. Program Activity
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The staff involved in the processing of applications is generally the
same staff that addresses all other aspects of the utility’s DG
“program”.
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Beyond processing of applications, the staff is involved in providing
external and internal reports, conducting outreach sessions,
updating website, assisting with billing resolution issues, and
providing internal DG process training to name a few.
Strategy for a Deeper Dive
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New work management processes are being put in place
(e.g. NSTAR Passport, National Grid STORMS, etc.)
 Can capture all aspects of the DG lifecycle cradle-tograve
 ‘Custom Info’ function will stop the clock any time there
is a customer action item that needs to be addressed
 Will assign accountability to all DG process members
within Utility
 Metric will be analyzed to determine strengths and
weaknesses of all parts of the DG life cycle
Shortcomings of new process
 May not alleviate any time constraint issues. The new
process may shave off a few days by directly assigning
people accountability but will not empower engineering to
engineer any faster or solve any of the queuing and other
issues that currently exist.
Strategy for a Deeper Dive
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Review existing process to find areas of
improvement
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Should there be a fourth track for large IPPs?
How do we get a complete application?
How do we clean up the speculative applications?
What are basic technical requirements?
Is there another place or resource to answer
questions?
How do we better coordinate with state agencies?
Can we set up some kind of certification for
installers?
Strategy for a Deeper Dive
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Need to address fundamental lack of
experienced technical personnel on both
sides (utility and customer) for volume of
applications
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Could work together to train outside contractors
Could approach technical colleges (i.e.
Northeastern, MIT, WPI, etc.) to suggest an
interconnection specialty in their power engineering
programs
Additional research needed to address large
intermittent generators on distribution feeders and
other issues
FAQs from Customers
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What is the interconnection process?
How do I apply/submit my application?
How long will it take? (What is current timeline for
study? screening? construction?)
What is next step in the process?
Will projects gets kicked out for "real" projects?
What is the timeframe to kick people out?
What is the cost and feasibility of the proposed
site?
What do I need to do to limit my costs?
What will be consequences of proposing different
generator/ inverter? Will my application start from
the beginning? How long to restudy a different
inverter?
FAQs from Customers
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What voltage and how many phases are in this location
How large a system can we install?
How many other active DG are in the area?
How many other DG not completed have applied in the area?
How much will any upgrades cost?
What size is the Transformer and/or service?
What size is the conductor in the area?
Where is the nearest substation?
Can we install metering in the transformer?
Is this location on a spot or secondary area network?
How far is the nearest radial circuit from this location and how
much will it cost to get it there?
FAQs from Customers – Net Metering
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How do I fill out a Schedule Z?
Why does the Host Customer fill out/sign the form?
Why does the customer have to sign it? (developer/installer has
signed for customer)
I'm the developer and want to control the Schedule Z, why can't I fill
out the form?
I'm allocating, why do I have to give you the account info for the
customers I'm allocating to?
Why did the NM rate change?
Why don't you give me 90 cents per kwhr like in Europe?
Why can't I submit more than 2 Schedule Z's per year?
Can I transfer my credit balance?
Can I get a check for my credit balance?
Why do I need a production meter?
Why do I need to report my production to the utility?
What will be my Net Metering?
How come my first bill isn't right?
FAQs from Utilities
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What are you looking to do?
What is the access to the site?
What inverter will you be using? Is this UL listed?
Please provide an updated one-line diagram with relay settings.
Please provide a clearer site diagram.
Please provide the requested information on the checklist.
What is the status of your project and how you would like to
proceed.
What is your account number? Your name on the account does not
match the application.
What is the AC side of the system?
What is your timeframes/construction schedule?