Proactive Planning and Capacity Assessment
- Scenario-Based Planning: Utilities are adopting long-term, scenario-based planning processes to assess system capacity and build it proactively. This approach helps in setting upfront prices for interconnection and quickly connecting ready-to-develop projects via fast-track processes.
- Hosting Capacity Studies: Some utilities are proactively studying distribution circuits to determine their hosting capacities for distributed generation (DG) resources. This involves modeling and leveraging existing planning efforts to anticipate DG growth and identify necessary infrastructure upgrades.
Innovative Policies and Incentives
- Incentives for Utilities: Utilities need incentives and mandates to pursue proactive distribution system planning. This includes adhering to established timelines and providing data on hosting capacity maps, which is an uncommon practice currently.
- Data-Driven Approaches: Utilities are improving interconnection timelines by enforcing compliance with established timelines and utilizing high-quality data to monitor progress.
State-Level Initiatives
- Maryland’s Proactive Measures: Maryland has been at the forefront of proactive planning efforts. The state’s Public Service Commission adopted proposals to speed up interconnection by forecasting where distributed energy resources (DERs) will be sited and upgrading the grid accordingly.
Tools and Technology
- Deployment Operations Management Software: Tools like Sitetracker’s deployment operations management software are being used to expedite grid interconnections. These tools enable utilities to streamline processes and manage interconnection requests more efficiently.
These proactive approaches aim to reduce uncertainties and costs associated with interconnection requests, making the process more efficient and reliable for developers and utilities alike.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-are-utilities-shifting-from-reactive-to-proactive-approaches-in-handling-interconnection-requests/
