Introducing Interconnection

What is the Interconnection Process?

The interconnection process discussed on these pages is used by the four investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts. Municipally owned utilities are not required to follow this process and may use different critieria for review.

The interconnection process is the process of getting approval from your local utility (or distribution company) to connect a distributed generation system to their electric grid (or distribution system). When you apply to the utility for interconnection, the utility reviews your project to make sure there are no negative impacts on the grid. If potential impacts are identified, the utility will request additional review and in some cases will require you to pay for new equipment to protect the grid. Additional reviews and equipment generally do not apply to small renewable generation, but may apply to larger projects, more complex projects, or generation that is located on a network system.

Note: Certain changes to the process have been approved as of December 27, 2005:

 

Why Do I Need to Go Through It?

Whether you are selling power back to the utility or using it all on-site, a distributed generation system will alter your electric load and the one-way flow of electricity from utility to customer. This presents potential risks to the performance of the grid, power quality for other customers, and safety of utility workers. To ensure these risks do not exist or are sufficiently mitigated for a specific project, the local utility must review and approve each proposed distributed generation project before it is installed.

The interconnection standards implemented by the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications (DTE) require every customer installing distributed generation to apply for approval from the local utility before installing and turning on this generation. If you are planning to interconnect, it is essential that you go through this process - installing an interconnected system without utility approval is illegal.

How Does the Process Work?

It is the customer's responsibility to start the review process by requesting an application from the local utility serving the planned generator site. Once you send in a complete application and fee, the utility will begin its review. The utility may contact you at different points throughout the process for additional information or to notify you that the project has passed or failed one of the review steps.

A project will follow one of three review paths (simplified, expedited, or standard) based on its generation type and size, customer load, and the characteristics of the grid where the generator is to be located. Each track has specific timeframes and fees. It is essential to submit all application materials, additional information, and fees in a timely manner as the review timeframe does not include periods where the utility is waiting for additional information.

At any point in this process, the customer may elect to withdraw from the review and not pursue the installation. If the project fails all possible review avenues or if the customer is unwilling to make required modifications, the utility may deny approval to interconnect. However, analysis of interconnections completed in 2004-2005 indicates that most projects (specifically those that go through the simplified process) move through this process smoothly and are approved for interconnection within required timeframes.

Who is Involved?

You, your local utility, town and local inspectors, and often the contractor installing your system all play a role in the interconnection process. Your local utility is the distribution company that serves the site where you are installing a distributed generation facility. The contractor may be needed, even for small systems, to provide technical information on your system required by the utility. The timeframe for each step of the review pauses whenever the utility requests additional information on the project, so it is essential to respond to these requests as quickly as possible.

When Do I Need to Start the Process?

It is ideal to begin the application process as soon as possible after you have all the information required for the application form. Because the application requires a certain level of technical detail, this will typically occur at the end of the project's design phase. If you are learning about the process after beginning construction, it is still possible to apply for interconnection, though additional costs may be incurred. By no means should you interconnect and start a generator before receiving approval to interconnect. If you have done so, you must contact the utility immediately to determine the steps that need to be taken to disconnect the system and apply for interconnection.

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