NYISO Tariffs --> Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) --> 32 OATT Attachment Z - Small Generator Interconnection Proce --> 32.2 OATT Att Z Fast Track Process
The Fast Track Process is available to an Interconnection Customer proposing to interconnect its Small Generating Facility with a Connecting Transmission Owner’s Distribution System if the Small Generating Facility is no larger than 2 MW and if the Interconnection Customer’s proposed Small Generating Facility meets the codes, standards, and certification requirements of Appendices 3 and 4 of these procedures, or the NYISO, in consultation with the Connecting Transmission Owner, has reviewed the design or tested the proposed Small Generating Facility and is satisfied that it is safe to operate.
Within 15 Business Days after the NYISO notifies the Interconnection Customer it has received a complete Interconnection Request, the NYISO, in consultation with the Connecting Transmission Owner, shall perform an initial review using the screens set forth below, shall notify the Interconnection Customer of the results, and include with the notification copies of the analysis and data underlying the determinations under the screens.
32.2.2.1.1The proposed Small Generating Facility’s Point of Interconnection must be on a portion of the Connecting Transmission Owner’s Distribution System.
32.2.2.1.2For interconnection of a proposed Small Generating Facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregated generation, including the proposed Small Generating Facility, on the circuit shall not exceed 15% of the line section annual peak load as most recently measured at the substation. A line section is that portion of a Connecting Transmission Owner’s electric system connected to a customer bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices or the end of the distribution line.
32.2.2.1.3.For interconnection of a proposed Small Generating Facility to the load side of spot network protectors, the proposed Small Generating Facility must utilize an inverter-based equipment package and, together with the aggregated other inverter-based generation, shall not exceed the smaller of 5% of a spot network’s maximum load or 50 kW.[1]
32.2.2.1.4.The proposed Small Generating Facility, in aggregation with other generation on the distribution circuit, shall not contribute more than 10% to the distribution circuit’s maximum fault current at the point on the high voltage (primary) level nearest the proposed point of change of ownership.
32.2.2.1.5.The proposed Small Generating Facility, in aggregate with other generation on the distribution circuit, shall not cause any distribution protective devices and equipment (including, but not limited to, substation breakers, fuse cutouts, and line reclosers), or Interconnection Customer equipment on the system to exceed 87.5% of the short circuit interrupting capability; nor shall the interconnection be proposed for a circuit that already exceeds 87.5% of the short circuit interrupting capability.
32.2.2.1.6.Using the table below, determine the type of interconnection to a primary distribution line. This screen includes a review of the type of electrical service provided to the Interconnecting Customer, including line configuration and the transformer connection to limit the potential for creating over-voltages on the Connecting Transmission Owner’s electric power system due to a loss of ground during the operating time of any anti-islanding function.
Primary Distribution Line Type | Type of Interconnection to Primary Distribution Line | Result/Criteria |
Three-phase, three wire | 3-phase or single phase, phase-to-phase | Pass screen |
Three-phase, four wire | Effectively-grounded 3 phase or Single-phase, line-to-neutral | Pass screen |
32.2.2.1.7If the proposed Small Generating Facility is to be interconnected on single-phase shared secondary, the aggregate generation capacity on the shared secondary, including the proposed Small Generating Facility, shall not exceed 20 kW.
32.2.2.1.8If the proposed Small Generating Facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, its addition shall not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than 20% of the nameplate rating of the service transformer.
32.2.2.1.9The Small Generating Facility, in aggregate with other generation interconnected to the transmission side of a substation transformer feeding the circuit where the Small Generating Facility proposes to interconnect shall not exceed 10 MW in an area where there are known, or posted, transient stability limitations to generating units located in the general electrical vicinity (e.g., three or four transmission busses from the point of interconnection).
32.2.2.1.10No construction of facilities by the Connecting Transmission Owner on its own system shall be required to accommodate the Small Generating Facility.
32.2.2.2If the proposed interconnection passes the screens, the Interconnection Request shall be approved and the NYISO will provide the Interconnection Customer and the Connecting Transmission Owner an executable interconnection agreement within five Business Days after the determination.
32.2.2.3If the proposed interconnection fails the screens, but the NYISO, in consultation with the Connecting Transmission Owner, determines that the Small Generating Facility may nevertheless be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards, the NYISO shall provide the Interconnection Customer and the Connecting Transmission Owner an executable interconnection agreement within five Business Days after the determination. To the extent appropriate, the NYISO shall notify any Affected System or Connecting Transmission Owner prior to the determination to allow for potential input by the Affected System or Connecting Transmission Owner. For purposes of this section, Affected System may include the portions of the New York State Transmission System that may be potentially affected.
32.2.2.4If the proposed interconnection fails the screens, but the NYISO, in consultation with the Connecting Transmission Owner, does not or cannot determine from the initial review that the Small Generating Facility may nevertheless be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards unless the Interconnection Customer is willing to consider Minor Modifications or further study, the NYISO shall provide the Interconnection Customer with the opportunity to attend a customer options meeting.
If the NYISO, in consultation with the Connecting Transmission Owner, determines the Interconnection Request cannot be approved without Minor Modifications at minimal cost; or a supplemental study or other additional studies or actions; or at significant cost to address safety, reliability, or power quality problems, within the five Business Day period after the determination, the NYISO shall notify the Interconnection Customer and provide copies of all data and analyses underlying its conclusion. Within ten Business Days of the NYISO’s determination, the NYISO shall offer to convene a customer options meeting with the Interconnection Customer and the Connecting Transmission Owner to review possible Interconnection Customer facility modifications or the screen analysis and related results, to determine, in consultation with the Connecting Transmission Owner, what further steps are needed to permit the Small Generating Facility to be connected safely and reliably. At the time of notification of the NYISO’s determination, or at the customer options meeting:
32.2.3.1The Connecting Transmission Owner shall offer to perform facility modifications or minor modifications to the Connecting Transmission Owner’s electric system (e.g., changing meters, fuses, relay settings) and provide a non-binding good faith estimate of the limited cost to make such modifications to the Connecting Transmission Owner’s electric system; or
32.2.3.2The NYISO shall offer to perform a supplemental review if the Connecting Transmission Owner concludes that the supplemental review might determine that the Small Generating Facility could continue to qualify for interconnection pursuant to the Fast Track Process, and provide a non-binding good faith estimate of the costs of such review; or
32.2.3.3The NYISO shall offer to continue evaluating the Interconnection Request under the Section 3 Study Process.
If the Interconnection Customer agrees to a supplemental review, the Interconnection Customer shall agree in writing within 15 Business Days of the offer, and submit a deposit to the NYISO for the estimated costs. The Interconnection Customer shall be responsible for the NYISO’s and the Connecting Transmission Owner’s actual costs for the supplemental review conducted by the NYISO. The Interconnection Customer must pay any review costs that exceed the deposit within 20 Business Days of receipt of the invoice or resolution of any dispute. If the deposit exceeds the invoiced costs, the NYISO will return such excess within 20 Business Days of the invoice without interest.
32.2.4.1Within ten Business Days following receipt of the deposit for a supplemental review, the NYISO, in consultation with the Connecting Transmission Owner, will determine if the Small Generating Facility can be interconnected safely and reliably.
32.2.4.1.1If so, the NYISO shall forward an executable an interconnection agreement to the Interconnection Customer and the Connecting Transmission Owner within five Business Days.
32.2.4.1.2If so, and Interconnection Customer facility modifications are required to allow the Small Generating Facility to be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards under these procedures, the NYISO shall forward an executable interconnection agreement to the Interconnection Customer and the Connecting Transmission Owner within five Business Days after receiving written confirmation that the Interconnection Customer has agreed to make the necessary changes at the Interconnection Customer’s cost.
32.2.4.1.3If so, and minor modifications to the Connecting Transmission Owner’s electric system are required to allow the Small Generating Facility to be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards under the Fast Track Process, the NYISO shall forward an executable interconnection agreement to the Interconnection Customer and the Connecting Transmission Owner within ten Business Days that requires the Interconnection Customer to pay the costs of such system modifications prior to interconnection.
32.2.4.1.4If not, the Interconnection Request will continue to be evaluated under the Section 3 Study Process.
Effective Date: 6/30/2010 - Docket #: ER10-1657-000 - Page 1
[1] A spot network is a type of Distribution System found within modern commercial buildings to provide high reliability of service to a single customer. (Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, 11th edition, Donald Fink, McGraw Hill Book Company)