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PURA Files Procedural Order In PURA Investigation Into Distribution System Planning Of The Electric Distribution Companies – Interconnection Standards And Practices
From Order:
[ *** ] Since the Interconnection Working Group’s establishment, numerous additional interconnection issues have arisen, particularly within the annual reviews of the Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) and Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) Programs. The NRES and ESS Programs have faced challenges such as: (1) delays in processing applications; (2) complexities in technical reviews; (3) unilateral project withdrawals by EDCs; (4) unresponsive developers; (5) disputes between developers and EDCs; and (6) unclear interconnection requirements. See UI Order No. 26 Compliance, July 30, 2024, Docket No. 24-08-05, Annual Energy Storage Solutions Program Review –Year 4; Eversource Order No. 26 Compliance, Aug. 1, 2024; Docket No. 24-08-05; EDC Order No. 28 Compliance, Aug. 1, 2024; UI Order No. 32 Compliance, Aug. 1, 2024, Docket No. 24-08-03, Annual Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program Review – Year 4; Eversource Order No. 32, Aug. 15, 2024, Docket No. 24-08-03.
Rather than address the above-referenced issues on a case-by-case basis in the Authority’s clean energy program annual review proceedings, the Authority directs the remaining interconnection issues to stakeholders via the Interconnection Working Group. This group is tasked with finding solutions for current and future interconnection issues, including but not limited to: (1) delays in EDC-led interconnection approval processes; (2) ambiguities in interconnection guidelines and approval timelines; (3) insufficient hosting capacity for new distributed energy resources; (4) communication breakdowns between project developers and the EDCs; (5) slow response times from the EDCs to developer inquiries; (6) inconsistencies in interconnection guidance or approvals among EDC departments; and (7) the potential need for a pre-submission checklist to inform developers of interconnection requirements before application submission. Consistent with prior precedent, the Interconnection Working Group shall have 100 days to resolve outstanding interconnection issues, including the problems identified above.
Specifically, the Authority directs the Interconnection Working Group to produce an Interconnection Report addressing the issues identified above at the end of a 100-day sprint, which will begin upon the issuance of this procedural order. The Interconnection Report must be filed as correspondence in the current docket, Docket No. 17-12-03RE06, by December 21, 2024. This report must include, at a minimum, the following: (1) recommendations for addressing all identified interconnection problems, including but not limited to: (a) delays in EDC-led interconnection approval processes; (b) ambiguities in interconnection guidelines and approval timelines; (c) insufficient hosting capacity for new distributed energy resources; (d) communication breakdowns between project developers and the EDCs; (e) slow response times from the EDCs to developer inquiries; (f) inconsistencies in interconnection guidance or approvals among EDC departments; and (g) the potential need for a pre-submission checklist to inform developers of interconnection requirements before application submission; (2) evidence and rationale supporting the recommendations; (3) a summary of all views expressed during the working group meetings; and (4) the dates and attendees of each meeting.
The 100-day sprint will be led by members of the Authority’s Decisional Staff designated specifically for this discrete assignment. The Decisional Staff members will draft the Interconnection Report based on the discussions and evidence from the Interconnection Working Group. While the designated Decisional Staff are encouraged to seek consensus on interconnection recommendations whenever possible, the Authority will not require consensus for the report. Consensus recommendations shall follow the process outlined in the Interconnection Policy Working Group’s governance. Further, each working group member must ensure their views are accurately reflected in the final report. If the Interconnection Working Group fails to offer recommendations to resolve outstanding interconnection problems, the Authority will address these issues as appropriate, including submitting possible recommendations to the General Assembly.
Procedural Order (09/12/2024)
24-08-03 (01/11/2024)
(Annual Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program Review – Year 4)
17-12-03RE06 (10/04/2019)
(PURA Investigation Into Distribution System Planning Of The Electric Distribution Companies –Interconnection Standards And Practices)
