ISO Board Approves Small Generator Interconnection Reforms

FOLSOM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Renewable power is experiencing significant growth in California, which is triggering improvements in how all power plants connect to the transmission grid. The California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) Board of Governors today approved a plan to streamline the process for studying small power projects into a new process for hooking up large generators to the grid.

“The current serial study process was designed when we were receiving 15 or 20 interconnection requests a year. That has increased to 150 small generator projects in the past two years”

The ISO is charged with studying the grid impacts of new generation projects. Developers submit requests for ISO engineering studies as part of the initial process to advance their projects, many of which are proposed for the same transmission-strapped regions of California. Collectively these wind, solar and geothermal resource projects produce the same impact to the grid as a single large generator. The ISO intends to take a big picture perspective in planning for the needed transmission upgrades—taking into consideration “clusters” of new generation projects, both small and large, to speed the projects through the study process as well as minimize overbuilding and undue costs associated with transmission expansion.

“The current serial study process was designed when we were receiving 15 or 20 interconnection requests a year. That has increased to 150 small generator projects in the past two years,” said ISO Vice President of Market and Infrastructure Development Keith Casey. “We know the cluster study approach works because we’re seeing the benefits in the reformed large generator interconnection process and we plan to apply the same concepts to address the growing backlog of small generator projects in our interconnection study queue.”

With the green light from the ISO Board today, the ISO will seek Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval for the unified interconnection process.

More information on the ISO Board decision, is available on the ISO Website.

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The California ISO operates the state’s wholesale transmission grid, providing open and non-discriminatory access supported by a competitive energy market and comprehensive planning efforts. Partnering with more than 90 client organizations, the ISO is dedicated to the continual development and reliable operation of a modern grid that operates at the least cost to the benefit of consumers. The ISO bulk power market allocates space on transmission lines, maintains operating reserves and matches supply with demand. Recognizing the importance of global climate change, the ISO welcomes new, advanced technologies that will help meet the energy needs of 30 million Californians efficiently and cleanly. The ISO is a nonprofit public benefit corporation.