Alberta Distributed Generation - Howell-Mayhew …

1 Final Version July 16, 2002 Alberta Distributed GenerationInterconnection GuideThe Alberta Distributed Generation interconnection Guide provides guidelines forconnecting a Generation facility to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System(AIES) via a Wires Owner s distribution system, and assists in determining thetechnical and operating requirements of the Guide was developed by the Alberta Distributed Generation Technical andPolicy Committee without regard to whether its adoption may involve patents onarticles, materials or processes. Such adoption does not assume any liability toany patent owner, nor does it assume any obligation whatsoever to partiesadopting this every precaution has been taken in preparing the Guide, it may containinadvertent inaccuracies or inconsistencies.

2 The authors assume no liability forerrors or omissions, or damages resulting from the use of or reliance upon theinformation contained Distributed GenerationInterconnection GuidePage 2 of 67 Final Version July 16, 2002In this 1 General interconnection 2 Guide for Generator Distributed GenerationInterconnection GuidePage 3 of 67 Final Version July 16, 2002 Part 1 General interconnection InformationIn this Terms and Metering Operating 1:General interconnection InformationPage 4 of 67 Final Version July 16, IntentThe intent of the Alberta Distributed Generation interconnection Guide(hereinafter referred to as the Guide or this Guide ) is to:1. Inform and provide guidelines for anyone wishing to connect ageneration facility to the AIES via a Wires Owner s distributionsystem; and2.

3 Assist operators, technical staff, consultants and contractors indetermining the technical and operating requirements of the Guide does not:3. Establish commercial or cost-sharing agreements. Each WiresOwner will have approved tariffs, including terms and conditions andelectric service agreements for Distributed Generation (DG) andnormal or standby consumption at the site. The DG Owner isencouraged to review its commercial obligations at the time Provide guidelines for connecting to the system at voltages above25kV. For information on connecting directly to the transmissionsystem, see Technical Requirements for Connecting to the AlbertaInterconnected Electric System Transmission System at theTransmission Administrator's web site at a complete description of the electric power industry in Alberta underthe Electric Utilities Act, please refer to the Alberta Energy website, Guiding PrinciplesThis Guide was developed in accordance with the following principles:1.

4 The interconnection process must provide competitive, fair andequitable access for all DG The interconnection must not create a safety hazard to othercustomers, the public or operating The interconnection must not compromise the reliability or restrict theoperation of the electric The interconnection must not degrade power quality belowacceptable 1:General interconnection InformationPage 5 of 67 Final Version July 16, Terms and DefinitionsThe following terms are defined to assist understanding of DistributedGeneration:This term ..Is defined as ..Accredited CertificationOrganizationAn organization that has been accredited by the Standards Council ofCanada to operate a certification program for electrical equipment, such asthe Canadian Standards Association (CSA).AECUCThe Alberta Electrical and Communication Utility Alberta Energy and Utilities Alberta Interconnected Electric MeterA meter that measures real and reactive power and energy in Canadian Electricity Canadian Standards Association's Safety Standard forElectrical Installations Part 1, also known as the Canadian Electrical Canadian Standards Generation orDistributed Generator (DG)Unregulated electric generators connected to a distribution system throughthe Point of Common Coupling (PCC).

5 DG OwnerThe entity which owns or leases the Distributed Generation SystemAny power line facilities under the operating authority of the Wires power line facilities generally operate at or below voltages of25kV nominal, line to Utilities ActLegislation passed in the Province of Alberta that creates a deregulatedmarket for the Generation of electric entity which sells electric energy produced within the Province of Albertato buyers outside the device that produces AC power. In the case of inverters, the documentuses the term Generator to refer to the AC inverter, not the DC Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, entity which sells electric energy produced outside the Province ofAlberta to buyers within the MeterA meter that measures transmission of electric energy and stores data in 15-minute condition in which a portion of the Wires Owner s system which iselectrically separated from the rest of the Wires Owner s system isenergized by one or more Distributed 1:General interconnection InformationPage 6 of 67 Final Version July 16, 2002 This term.

6 Is defined as ..Load Flow StudyA steady-state computer simulation study of the voltages and currents onthe electric Settlement AgentThe entity responsible for allocating energy to and from the distributionsystem. The Wires Owners are assigned this AuthorityThe individual within the Wires Owner s organization and within the DGOwner's organization who is responsible for the safe and orderly operationof electric system OperationThe operation of a Generation facility while connected to an electric powergrid in such a way that both the grid and the Generation facilities supplyelectric power to the loads at the same of Common Coupling(PCC)The point at which the Wires Owner s facilities are connected to the DGOwner s facilities or conductors, and where any transfer of electric energybetween the DG Owner and the Wires Owner takes PoolThe market for all electric energy bought or sold in Alberta .

7 The entitythrough which DG Owners sell their electric Pool ParticipantAn entity which has executed an agreement with the Power Pool of Albertafor the sale or purchase of electric Codes ActThe Alberta Safety Codes Act and Alberta regulations under that state of the distribution system after voltage and frequency has returnedto normal range for a period of at least five minutes (or another period oftime, as coordinated with the Wires Owner) following a ControllerA provincially appointed authority responsible for dispatching load andgeneration of the AIES in real rates, including terms and conditions and electric serviceagreements for the sale of electric energy and energy services regulated bythe transmission of metering data using telecommunication Administrator(TA)A provincially appointed authority responsible to provide access to theprovince-wide transmission system.

8 The TA s role is to provide transmissionsystem access service on the AIES in a manner that gives all eligiblepersons wishing to exchange electric energy through the Power Pool ofAlberta a reasonable opportunity to do SystemAny power line facilities under the authority of the Transmission SystemOwners. Transmission power line facilities generally operate at voltagesabove 25kV nominal, line to DisconnectA switch or circuit breaker by means of which the generator and allprotective devices and control apparatus can be simultaneouslydisconnected under full load entirely from the circuits supplied by thegenerator. All blades or moving contacts must be connected to the generatorside, and the design of the disconnect must allow adequate visibleinspection of all contacts in the open OwnerThe utility owning the distribution Western Systems Coordinating Council.

9 Part 1:General interconnection InformationPage 7 of 67 Final Version July 16, ResponsibilitiesRefer to Appendix A for a block diagram of the approval process forconnecting a Generation facility to a Wires Owner s distribution DG Owner ResponsibilitiesThe DG Owner is responsible to: Become a Power Pool Participant and comply with any Power Poolrequirements (unless all energy produced at the site is to beconsumed at the site); Provide technical information to the Wires Owner and to theTransmission Administrator, as specified in Appendix B; Design, install, operate and maintain the interconnection facility: Ensure all necessary designs and drawings are signed andstamped by a licensed, professional engineer; Have equipment certified by an accredited certificationorganization; and Verify that the installation conforms to the current edition of Part Iof the CEC; Pay the costs of interconnection , in accordance with the commercialterms established by the Wires Owner; Obtain all required permits and licenses: Ensure that the local inspection and Safety Codes Actenforcement authorities accept the installation, or that theinstallation falls under the jurisdiction of an accreditedcorporation under the Safety Codes Act.

10 Before commissioning and commencing parallel operation,obtain the approval of the Wires Owner and establish a JointOperating Agreement with the Wires Owner, similar to thegeneric Joint Operating Agreement provided in Appendix C,covering the technical and operating requirements; Obtain AEUB approval and order to connect, and provide theAEUB approval and order numbers to the Wires Owner (AEUB approval requires a Joint Operating Agreement to be in placebetween the DG Owner and the Wires Owner); Obtain written approval from the Wires Owner before commencingparallel operation and before making any modification to thegeneration facility; Ensure metering requirements are met (see section ); and Negotiate the timing and any testing requirements for thecommissioning process with the Wires Owner, and if needed, withthe Transmission Administrator and/or the System 1:General interconnection InformationPage 8 of 67 Final Version July 16, Wires Owner ResponsibilitiesThe Wires Owner is responsible to: Carry out load flow studies within a reasonable period; Prepare a Joint Operating Agreement with the DG Owner, similar tothe generic Joint Operating Agreement provided in Appendix C; Prepare a commercial agreement to address cost recovery; Inform the DG Owner of the Wires Owner s current standards andpractices, as they relate to the interconnection ; Ensure metering requirements are met (see section ).