30.10 Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study

30.10.1 Commencing an Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study Agreement

Upon the initiation of a Developer’s SRIS, the Developer may request, and the NYISOISO shall perform concurrently with that SRIS a reasonable number of Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Studies.  The request shall describe the assumptions that the Developer wishes the NYISOISO to study within the scope described in Section 30.10.2.  Within five (5) Business Days after receipt of a request for an Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study, the NYISOISO shall provide to the Developer an Optional Interconnection Study Agreement in the form of Appendix 5a good faith estimate of the cost and timeframe for completing such study.

The Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study Agreement scope shall: (i) specify the technical data that the Developer must provide for each phase of the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study, (ii) specify Developer’s assumptions as to which Interconnection Requests with earlier queue priority dates will be excluded from the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study case, and (iii) the NYISOISO’s estimate of the cost of the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study.  To the extent known by the NYISOISO, such estimate shall include any costs expected to be incurred by any Affected System whose participation is necessary to complete the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study.  Notwithstanding the above, the NYISOISO shall not be required as a result of an Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study request to conduct any additional Interconnection Studies with respect to any other Interconnection Request.

The Developer shall execute the Optional Interconnection Study Agreement within ten (10) Business Days of receipt and deliver the Optional Interconnection Study Agreement,submit the requested technical data and a $10,000 deposit to the NYISOISO within fifteen (15) Business Days after the ISO’s notice to the Developer and Connecting Transmission Owner of the good faith estimate of the cost and timeframe for completing such study.

30.10.2 Scope of Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study

The Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study will consist of a sensitivity analysis based on the assumptions specified by the Developer in the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study Agreementscope.  The Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study will also identify the Connecting Transmission Owner’s Attachment Facilities and the System Upgrade Facilities, and the estimated cost thereof, that may be required to provide Energy Resource Interconnection Service based upon the results of the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study.  The scope of the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study will be provided to the Developer and Connecting Transmission Owner for review and comment.  After the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study scope is finalized, the ISO will provide the final scope to the Connecting Transmission Owner and the Developer.  The Connecting Transmission Owner shall indicate its agreement to the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study scope by signing it and promptly returning it to the ISO, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld.  The Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study shall be performed solely for informational purposes.  The NYISOISO shall use Reasonable Efforts to coordinate the study with any Affected Systems that may be affected by the types of options that are being studied.  The NYISOISO shall utilize existing studies to the extent practicable in conducting the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study.

30.10.3 Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study Procedures

The executed Optional Interconnection Study Agreement, the prepayment, and required study deposit and technical and other data called for in the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Scopetherein must be provided to the NYISOISO within fifteenten (1015) Business Days of Developer receipt of the good faith estimate of the cost and time frame for completing of the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study Agreementfrom the ISO.  The ISO shall notify the Developer and the Connecting Transmission Owner that the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study has commenced following receipt of the required study deposit and once the ISO deems the required technical data sufficient.  The NYISOISO shall use Reasonable Efforts to complete the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study within a mutually agreed upon time period specified within the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study Agreementscope.  If the NYISOISO is unable to complete the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study within such time period, it shall notify the Developer and provide an estimated completion date and an explanation of the reasons why additional time is required.  Any difference between the study payment and the actual cost of the study shall be paid to the NYISOISO or refunded to the Developer, as appropriate.  Upon request, the NYISOISO shall provide the Developer supporting documentation and workpapers and databases or data developed in the preparation of the Optional Interconnection System Reliability Impact Study, subject to confidentiality arrangements consistent with Section 30.13.1.