About this course

Launching August 2024
This course will be submitted to IEEE for qualifying for CEUs. 

For those without a working knowledge of transmission systems, it is strongly recommended to first take the "Introduction to Transmission Systems" course.  If you are interested in both courses,  you can purchase the Electric Transmission and Solar PV Interconnection Bundle for a discounted-price.  Either course may also be taken separately.

Why Take This Course 
Finding concise and timely training and resources on solar PV interconnection to transmission is typically difficult and very time-consuming. The topic is quite broad, covering transmission systems and electric power equipment, transmission operators interconnection procedures and requirements, specialized system studies, and solar PV interconnection equipment and control. In addition, the technology and the processes are constantly changing.

The aim of this course is to boil down the most important concepts to a level where everyone can get an understanding of the very involved and complex task of interconnecting solar PV to transmission systems. 

It also covers the very-involved and often difficult-to-understand generator interconnection requirements, processes, and terminology of transmission operators.

This course explains the role of FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) and NERC (North America Electric Reliability Corporation) in most transmission interconnections. Content is also provided around the typical interconnection processes of transmission operators like ISO's/RTO's, including the submittal of project data and information, transmission system operator technical studies and results, and decision points for developers in the process. 

The present transition of interconnection queue processing by US transmission operators from a "first-come, first-served" serial process to a "first-ready, first-served" cluster process is also described.

A description of the types of studies that are performed by transmission operators in evaluating interconnection requests, including power flow, short-circuit, transient stability, and EMT (Electromagnetic Transients) studies and the meaning of their results is provided.

This course also provides an overview of the physical and electrical interconnection of solar PV to transmission, including the primary equipment that composes substations and tie lines. It presents an overview of monitoring, control, and protection concepts that are important to interconnections.


What You Get
This course has been designed so that you will:

  • Get a thorough understanding of the considerations and criteria for successful interconnections of utility-scale solar PV to transmission
  • Become conversant in the language and concepts of transmission system interconnections, and have better conversations during solar PV project development and execution
  • Become more valuable to your organization, and enhance your career progression in the connection of utility-scale solar PV to transmission

What You Can Expect
Due to the nature of the subject, the material in this course is a mix of technical and non-technical content.  It is recognized that not everyone taking this course will be an electric power engineer, and the material was developed to accommodate that and still provide meaningful content.  At any point, you are free to request more material on the background of this course, and we will do our best to help you out.  Also, see the note at the top of this page regarding bundling this course with the "Introduction to Transmission Systems" course.

Non-technical topics include roles of industry participants, interconnection processes and queues, and current interconnection issues and reforms.  Technical topics include electric power concepts, equipment, applications, and power system studies.  

Visual Learning
Extensive use of graphics is used in the instructional videos, and you can download a copy of all class material for future use.

In this course, Tim Taylor, Owner of Electric Distribution Academy, brings his 30+ years of experience in transmission and distribution systems, utility-scale solar plants, and interconnection requirements and processes to give students the background to succeed in the growing utility-scale solar PV industry.

Tim is readily available through the class discussion board.

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This course is included in this bundle

Bundle Solar Design and Installation Utility Interconnection Utility-Scale

Electric Transmission and Solar PV Interconnection Bundle

Build a foundation in electric power transmission then build your knowledge into interconnecting solar PV to transmission in this 2 course bundle.

4.0
2 course bundle
Tim Taylor
$1,195

Course outline

7 modules • 78 assignments • 7:36 hours of video lectures

Welcome • 4 assignments
Orientation Materials

This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.

  • Set up email notifications and your student profile
  • Introduce yourself on the discussion board
  • Presentation/Lecture Materials
  • Course Introduction from Tim (05:13 minutes)
Module 1 • 12 assignments
Solar PV Interconnection to Transmission - Current State and Challenges

In this module, generation interconnection to transmission is introduced. We look at the current state of interconnections, trends, and challenges. We discuss the goals of successful interconnections from the perspectives of generation developers/owners and from transmission owners and ISOs. Transmission owner interconnection requirements are reviewed.

We go over important FERC Orders that continue to shape interconnection processes in the US, including FERC Orders 2023, 1920, and 1977. We look at FERC's pro forma LGIP and LGIA, that form the basis of transmission providers' interconnection processes and agreements. We look at OATT's (Open Access Transmission Tariffs) and their role in generator interconnection. We also have a look at the most significant NERC federal regulations pertaining to generator interconnections.

  • Lecture 1 - Generation Current State and Challenges (20:36 minutes)
  • Solar Growth Article
  • Lecture 2 - Transmission Current State and Challenges (17:02 minutes)
  • Optional: "National Transmission Needs Study", US DOE, October 2023. (.pdf)
  • Lecture 3 - Interconnection Current State and Challenges (16:06 minutes)
  • "Queue'd Up: 2024 Edition" (.pdf)
  • How does permitting for clean energy infrastructure work?
  • Lecture 4 - Current Interconnection Reforms (12:27 minutes)
  • Lecture 5 - OATT and ISO/RTO - Transmission Owner Operating Procedure (13:31 minutes)
  • Optional - "2023 State of the Markets - Staff Report", FERC, March 21, 2024 (.pdf)
  • Glossary of Terms Used in NERC Reliability Standards (.pdf)
  • Intro and Module 1 Presentation Materials (.pdf)
Module 2 • 27 assignments
Processes for Generator Interconnection to Transmission

In this module we take a look at processes for generator interconnection to transmission. We step through typical generator interconnection processes for Large Generators and the steps in the process. We focus on the "First Ready, First Served Cluster Study" approach, recently mandated by FERC 2023 "approach and which replaces "First Ready, First Served Study" still in use at some transmission providers. We also take a look at each ISO/RTO in the US, and what the current status of generator interconnections are in each one. Finally we briefly look at cost allocation for transmission system upgrades driven by generator interconnection.

  • Lecture 1 - The Generator Interconnection Process (12:01 minutes)
  • SPP Generator Interconnection Process - Four Pager (.pdf)
  • FERC Order 2023, “Explainer on the Final Interconnection Rule” (.pdf)
  • Lecture 2 - Primary Changes Introduced by FERC Order 2023 (19:30 minutes)
  • Lecture 3 - Pre-Application Data and Information (16:59 minutes)
  • MISO's Interactive Interconnection and POI (Point of Interconnection) Tool - WATCH ONLY 5.00 - 15.00
  • Lecture 4 - Cluster Study Process Part 1 (07:53 minutes)
  • Appendix 1 to FERC pro forma LGIP – Interconnection Request for a Large Generating Facility (.pdf)
  • Lecture 5 - Cluster Study Process Part 2 (09:49 minutes)
  • Lecture 6 - Re-studies and Facilities Interconnection Studies (11:52 minutes)
  • “PG&E Proposed Generator Interconnection Unit Cost Guide”, 5/01/2023 (.xlsx)
  • Lecture 7 - Deposits and Penalties (06:55 minutes)
  • Lecture 8 - Small Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreement (06:25 minutes)
  • Lecture 9 - CAISO (12:43 minutes)
  • Lecture 10 - MISO (11:20 minutes)
  • Lecture 11 - ISO-NE (05:59 minutes)
  • Lecture 12 - SPP (07:33 minutes)
  • Lesson 13 - ERCOT (09:09 minutes)
  • PV Magazine - ERCOT Interconnection Process Article
  • Lecture 14 - NYISO (06:21 minutes)
  • Lecture 15 - PJM (05:44 minutes)
  • Lecture 16 - Generator Interconnection Scorecard (05:32 minutes)
  • Generator Interconnection Scorecard
  • Lecture 17 - Cost Allocation (09:25 minutes)
  • Optional: Transmission Congestion Costs in US RTO's
  • Quiz: Generator Interconnection Processes
  • Module 2 Lecture Slides (.pdf)
Module 3 • 17 assignments
Technical Studies for Generator Interconnection to Transmission

For each proposed generator interconnection, the transmission provider (or designated consultant) performs a series of studies, called the Cluster Study, Cluster Re-Study (as-needed), and Interconnection Facilities Study.  An Affected System Study and additional re-studies are performed as needed. We take a look at these studies, data requirements, what they entail, and what their results are.


We discuss the different types of studies, including frequency-domain power flow, short-circuit, and transient stability. We also look at the emerging requirements for EMT (Electromagnetic Transient) time-domain simulations, the reasons why they are being requested, and how they impact the generator interconnection process.  We discuss contingency studies and the concept of transfer distribution factor (TDF).
 We look at example reports from actual studies, and discuss their meaning. 

  • Lecture 1 - ERIS and NRIS (13:50 minutes)
  • Lecture 2 - System Studies and the System Model (17:10 minutes)
  • Lecture 3 - Power Flow (17:10 minutes)
  • Video - A Basic Introduction to PSSE
  • Lecture 4 - Transfer Distribution Factor (TDF) (13:12 minutes)
  • Lecture 5 - Short-Circuit Studies (05:17 minutes)
  • Lecture 6 - Dynamics Studies, Including Stability (11:14 minutes)
  • Lecture 7 - Contingency Studies (07:22 minutes)
  • Lecture 8 - EMT Studies (13:08 minutes)
  • CAISO EMT Modeling Requirements
  • Lecture 9 - Alternatives to Transmission Upgrades (04:25 minutes)
  • Study Report 1 (.pdf)
  • Lecture 10 - Cluster Study Report Part 1 of 2 (09:47 minutes)
  • Study Report 2 (.pdf)
  • Lecture 11 - Cluster Study Report Part 2 of 2 (16:20 minutes)
  • Quiz: Technical Interconnection Studies
  • Module 3 Lecture Slides (.pdf)
Module 4 • 14 assignments
Interconnection Equipment and Architecture

In this module, we look at the primary interconnection equipment,  including the collector substation, gen-tie lines, and the transmission POI (Point of Interconnection) substation.  We discuss the primary equipment that is used in the substations and tie-lines.  We look at the different architectures that can be used to connect a generating facility to transmission.

  • MORE ASSIGNMENTS ARE BEING ADDED
  • Lecture 1 - Terminology and Responsibilities (10:02 minutes)
  • "Option to Build"
  • Lecture 2 - The Collector Substation and Medium-Voltage Switchgear (11:24 minutes)
  • Lecture 3 - VAr Compensation and Auxiliary Loads in the Collector Substation (06:09 minutes)
  • “Reactive Power in Utility-Scale Solar PV Applications – Part 2 of 5”
  • Optional: "How to choose the right static compensator for your application"
  • Lecture 4 - The MPT/GSU in the Collector Substation (12:15 minutes)
  • Lecture 5 - High-Voltage Equipment in the Collector Substation (06:45 minutes)
  • Lecture 6 - Gen-Tie Lines (05:50 minutes)
  • Lecture 7 - POI Substation and Substation Breaker Configurations (08:01 minutes)
  • Optional: "ComEd Updates Substation Design" in T&D World Magazine
  • Lecture 8 - Options for POI Connections (16:54 minutes)
  • Quiz: Equipment and Architecture
Module 5 • 0 assignments
Interconnection Monitoring, Control, and Protection

In this module, we take a look at monitoring, control, and protection of the interconnection. We go over NERC standards that define requirements in this area, and requirements that ISOs/RTOs and Transmission Operators may have. We look at the roles of the power plant controller and the inverter control in the interconnection. We also look at protective relaying and disturbance reporting on transmission systems.

Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources

This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!

  • 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
  • Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
  • Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
  • Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate

Instructor

  • Tim Taylor

    Owner and Managing Director, Electric Distribution Academy
    View profile

    Tim is Owner and Managing Director of Electric Distribution Academy and has over 30 years of experience in distribution system engineering. He’s led and participated in many projects with many North American utilities and has also worked in Europe and Latin American. In addition to papers, articles, and conference presentations, he has served as an instructor for... Learn more

    View profile

Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?
This course is currently being developed. You can pre-order the course today and get access to the materials as they are developed. 


How long do I have access to the materials?
You will have access to the full course materials for one year from the official launch date.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.


View full FAQ

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