Overview of grid planning,

technical interconnection, and

grid integration of DG
Ian Baring-Gould
November 15, 2019
Expanded DG Interconnection Bring Concerns….
Major Utility Concerns
• Voltage regulation
Now Wait
• Reverse power flow Just a
Minute!
• Protection system
coordination
• Unintentional islanding
• Excessive LTC and
regulator tap operations
• Load masking
Potential Problems of “Too Much” DG (PV)
• Voltage control: high or low voltage
• Protection coordination, relay desensitization
• Excessive LTC and regulator tap operations
• Power quality problems
• Risk of unintentional islanding
• Load masking
Reverse Power Flow can Disrupt Operations

Reverse power flow may cause high voltage, protection misoperations, etc.
Protection System Coordination

Short-Circuit
Current Coordination
• Utility circuits use fuses and
circuit breakers to minimize
outages.
• These protection devices are
coordinated.
• Significant amounts of PV can
disrupt the coordination,
causing larger outages.
Unintentional Islands are Unlikely but a Concern
• There are concerns that, in the event of
a utility outage, part of the grid will
remain energized by PV and other
distributed generation.
• If an unintentional island is formed,
there are concerns about voltage
aberrations, equipment damage, and
safety.
• While creating an island under
laboratory conditions is possible, the
probability of an unintentional island
actually occurring is remote.
• Some utilities require very expensive
mitigation measures to avoid a problem
that is statistically improbable.
 Integrating DG on the Grid: Mitigation Strategies
• Advanced inverters (aka smart • Upgrades to the conductor
inverters) • Direct transfer trip (DTT) of the
• Modify protection settings/fuses DG system
• Voltage regulation devices and controls • Battery energy storage systems
• Combining different DG technologies • Other “smart grid” devices

Advanced inverters can improve

voltage control

Source: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/67633.pdf
 Interconnection Process

Source: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/67633.pdf
Classic Interconnection Process

Pr
e fe
rr

Instal
PTO
ed

l PV
Pa
th
!

Permission to Operate
 Technical Screening – Example Screens (FERC)
• Screens are simply sets of technical questions.
• Technical screens have been recommended for many utilities (U.S. and other countries).
• German utilities upgrade their grid as-needed and do not screen anything (externally
visible).

1. Aggregated distributed generation (DG) 5. DG interface is compatible with type of

<15% of peak load on line section
2. For connection to a spot network: DG is
inverter-based; aggregated DG capacity
is <5% of peak load and <50 kW
3. Aggregated DG contribution to
maximum short circuit current is <10%
4. Aggregated DG does not cause
protective device to exceed 87.5% of
short circuit interrupting capability
primary distribution line (wye/delta)
6. For a single-phase shared secondary,
aggregated DG capacity <20kW
7. Resulting imbalance <20% of service,
transformer rating of 240 V service
8. Aggregated transmission connected
DG capacity <10 MW for stability-
limited area
9. Construction not required for
interconnection
Where You Apply DG (DPV) has a Large Impact
Placement of the DG from a location
and size perspective will have large
impacts on the amount of DG that can
be placed on a feeder.
Rules of Thumb…
• Closer to the transformer is better
• Multiple smaller systems (with
different technologies) decrease
variability, allowing higher capacity
• If the feeder has a lower baseline
voltage, higher contribution is
possible
• Very dependent on feeder design and
location
Source:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/55094.pdf
Win-win alternatives to 15% capacity screen
• Use a More Accurate Capacity Penetration Metric (Minimum Daytime
Load)
• Use Metrics That Directly Target Concerns
• Preemptively Analyze DG Suitability
• Utilize Advanced Inverter Functionality
• Make the Distribution System More Robust
Example: Use Metrics That Directly Target Concerns

Source:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/67633.pdf
Interconnection impact studies
• Impact studies are part of the modeling and mitigation process for
systems that fail fast-track screens and supplemental reviews
• Modeling allows you to see any issues (e.g. voltage) and come up with
a solution
• Most models are simple voltage models.
Interconnection Timelines

How long does it take?

How long should it take?

Source:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/63556.pdf
Interconnection Timelines

Reality
often
does not
match
what’s
on
paper!

Source:
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/63556.pdf
Case Study: Jamaica
Lack of clear
interconnection
Unclear, opaque
equipment,
interconnection
inspection, and
process
installer
standards/codes

Lengthy Insufficient
interconnection electrical inspection
staff to handle
(10–18 months) volume of systems
Illegal
interconnections
that threaten grid
stability
Many factors contributed
to illegal interconnections
of DPV to the grid
Case Study: Jamaica

Lessons Learned from Net Billing Program

• Separate interconnection and net billing, realigning various agency
roles and responsibilities, shortening the timeline for interconnection
and permitting, and adopting an expanded approved inverters list
Case Study: Jamaica

Interconnection and net

metering processes
separated and
streamlined
Applying Interconnection Codes & Standards

Electric Utility Point of Industrial,

T&D Systems Common Commercial,
Coupling and Residential
Buildings

National Electrical Safety Code IEEE 1547 National Electrical Code

Utility Manual of Safe UL 1741

Practices
 Standards and Codes: Where do they apply?
• Most states adopt interconnection standards as legal requirements.
• Local jurisdictions (cities, towns) adopt and enforce electrical and building codes as
legal requirements.
• Fast-track screens and supplemental review screens are based on national (FERC)
requirements. FERC Screens

Interconnection Inspect
Permitting Obtain Build PV Permission
Standards PV System
System PV To Operate
Process Permit System
• IEEE 1547
• IEEE 1547.1
• UL1741 Electrical and Building
Codes – NEC, UBC
UL 1741 / UL 1741 SA
• Inverters, Converters, Controllers and
Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy
Resources
• Applies to the inverter and interconnection equipment
• Inverters should be listed to this standard.
• Harmonized with IEEE 1547
• Underwriters Laboratories — Standard for Safety
• UL 1741 SA was developed for “Smart Inverter Use”
 IEEE 1547™ — Full Revision
Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems

• Goal is an updated standard for higher

levels of distributed energy resources
tied to utility distribution systems
• Significant focus on frequency ride
through and voltage ride through—
MUST STAY CONNECTED
• Major goal is to support voltage and
frequency
• Utilize smart inverter functions while
remaining technology neutral
• Harmonize with the California Smart
Inverter Working Group and California
Rule 21
Important Codes and Standards (C&S)
Important C&S
Critical C&S
• IEEE 1547.4
• ANSI C84.1
• NESC
• IEEE 1547.6
• NEC • IEEE P1547.7
• UL 1741 • IEEE P1547.8
• IEEE 1547*
Other Useful C&S
• IEEE 2030.x (interoperability)
• IEEE 1547.1, IEEE 1547.2, IEEE 1547.3
• IEEE 519 (PQ)
• IEEE 1453 (flicker)
• IEC (61850, various)
DG-related codes-Recommendations
• Both sub-codes (T&D) do not account for plant sizes when defining
requirements. Smaller plants, especially at the distribution level voltage
need not have advanced communication/controls and ride-through
capabilities especially at the current low penetration levels. 
• Distribution codes do not take advantage of the ability of inverter-based
plants to provide reactive support, especially in the absence of wind/solar. 
• IEEE 1547 and associated UL standards (or equivalent) should be used
where possible for the distribution sub-code for safety, testing, and
compliance. The newest revision of IEEE 1547 is focused on allowing
higher contributions of DG
• Requirements for reactive current support during LVRT/HVRT conditions
may not be required at such low RE penetration levels, especially at the
distribution system.  
Data – What Should Be Collected?
• Utilities
– Size of system (in kVA or kW; nameplate or installed)
– Type of system (e.g., PV, battery, wind)
– Brand of equipment
– Special settings (e.g., smart inverters)
– Phase information (3-phase, single-phase A, B, C)
– Type of Interconnection (e.g., grid tied, standalone)
– GIS location
– Date of installation
• Jurisdictions
– Size and type of system, annual energy generated
Philippines DPV
• Significant potential for solar
DPV deployment
• Net-metering in place since 2013
• Current DPV adoption low

“DPV Impact Analysis”: data-

driven analysis to evaluate the
impacts of the existing net metering
arrangement under implementation,
inform the revision of net metering
rules, and evaluate the alternatives In partnership with the Philippines
to net metering DOE, USAID Clean Power Asia,
NREL, LBNL and Chulalongkorn
University
Findings
• Barriers to DPV expansion
– Inadequate economic incentives for customers
– System size cap
– Lengthy and complicated interconnection process
– Limited financing options available
– Cross-subsidization among DPV and non-DPV adoption
– Specifications in grid code not suitable for DPV (e.g. black start and ancillary service
requirements)
– Concerns about grid integrity
• Impacts of DPV adoption
– Privately owned utility net revenue not impacted by DPV generation
– DPV installation location along feeders influences the max allowable DPV penetration
– DPV’s ability to reduce system peak demand depends on
• Relative size of daytime peak and other peaks
• Relative size of DPV penetration to load growth rate
• Load growth rate
Implications for the Philippines
• Clarify policy objectives
• Improve monitoring and data collection to inform future policy and
regulatory updates
• Reduce “soft costs” to consumers by simplifying and streamlining
interconnection and permitting processes
• Develop a user-friendly tool to help consumers make DPV decisions
• The cost of implementing a new DPV support scheme is likely to be
different than the current scheme. New systems may need to be put into
place.
• Increase financing options for targeted consumers
• Grid code should be designed to address the impacts of DPV high
penetration
• Other barriers exist and need to be identified and addressed
DPV in Mexico
• 2017: 305 MW of DPV
222 MW Gap
• Goal: 527 MW of DPV
Suggestions to Fill the Gap
• Establish a sufficient compensation rate for DG owners
• Establish direct financial incentives
• Expand access to financing
• Expand customer access to DG options
• Encourage the maturation and quality of suppliers, materials, and labors
• Establish best practice interconnection procedures
• Promote locally manufactured content
• Encourage public awareness
DPV Benefits Analysis for Mexico
Questions?