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PUC Initiates NOI Flexible DER Interconnection Arrangements
The Maine PUC initiated a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) into flexible interconnections, which it defines as “control approaches to enable more DER interconnections based on dynamic operating envelope parameters.” The inquiry is in response to legislation directing MEPUC to explore and evaluate adoption of flexible interconnection options to “use distributed energy resources [DERs], increase grid capacity, decrease grid instability and reduce costs in achieving state goals related to clean energy.”
The Commission requests comments by close of business by November 20, 2025.
As background, during the most recent legislative session, the Legislature enacted L.D. 1726, Public Law 2025, ch. 293 (the Act). Section 7 of the Act directs the Commission to “explore and evaluate the feasibility of adopting emerging flexible interconnection options in order to use distributed energy resources, increase grid capacity, decrease grid instability and reduce costs in achieving state goals related to clean energy.”
The Act further directs the Commission to:
- review potential practices for providing flexible interconnection options;
- engage with stakeholders;
- identify any barriers to adopting flexible interconnection options;
- identify ways in which customers seeking connection might benefit from flexible interconnection processes; and
- determine whether the costs of flexible interconnection may affect non-interconnecting customers and how that may be mitigated.
The Act directs the Commission to submit an initial report summarizing its activities to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology by February 15, 2026.
2025-00312
(ME PUC initiated inquiry into flexible interconnections, which it defines as “control approaches to enable more DER interconnections based on dynamic operating envelope parameters.”)
