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interconnection to utility
Interconnection
Interconnection is the process through which an energy generator connects to the larger electric grid. While utilities may be concerned about the impact of new wind resources on reliability of their system, there are usually technical fixes available. A number of organizations exist to help utilities, and developers, resolve interconnection concerns. In some cases it may be advisable for a utility and developer to obtain expert advice on ways to resolve technical issues. A utility’s comfort level with interconnecting windpower projects may increase as it gains experience with these resources.
The relatively small size of community renewable projects makes the process of connecting them to the utility grid both flexible and confusing. Larger projects such as community-scale wind developments need to interconnect to transmission lines through a substation, while residential wind turbines and many solar installations simply connect to the electrical panel serving the residence. Both of these processes are fairly standard. Community wind projects, however, varying in size from slightly less than 1 MW to 10 MW can interconnect at the distribution, subtransmission, or transmission level depending on a number of factors such as the size of the project and the capacity of the grid at the project site. Improper interconnection has the potential to cause power quality issues, while successful interconnections can even serve to strengthen the local grid.
Because interconnection is dramatically different between small scale installations and large scale installations, we have grouped interconnection issues into the following sections:
