Interconnection of Utility-Scale Solar PV to Transmission
About this course
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.
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.
It also covers the very-involved and often difficult-to-understand generator interconnection requirements, processes, and terminology of transmission operators.
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.
Tim is readily available through the class discussion board.
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This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
7 modules • 90 assignments • 15 hours to complete • 9:20 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 4 assignments
Orientation Materials
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Course Introduction from Tim (05:13 minutes)
- Lecture Material / Presentation Slides for the Course (.pdf)
Module 1 • 12 assignments
Solar PV Interconnection to Transmission - Current State and Challenges
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)
- Interconnection Current State and Challenges
Module 2 • 26 assignments
Processes for Generator Interconnection to Transmission
- 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) Preview
- 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 3 • 16 assignments
Technical Studies for Generator Interconnection to Transmission
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 4 • 13 assignments
Interconnection Equipment and Architecture
- 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 • 15 assignments
Interconnection Monitoring, Control, and Protection
- Lecture 1 - Protection Overview (11:40 minutes)
- Lecture 2 - Interconnection Protection Requirements (08:20 minutes)
- Lecture 3 - Common Protective Functions in Interconnections (15:55 minutes)
- Lecture 4 - Ride-Through Capability and NERC PRC-024 (08:03 minutes)
- NERC PRC-024-3 (.pdf)
- Lecture 5 - Power Plant Controllers (PPC) (12:08 minutes)
- “PV SCADA – Solar Plant Control and Monitoring Solutions”, Applied Technical Systems (.pdf)
- SEL Real-Time Automation Controllers (RTACS) – CAISO Remote Intelligent Gateway (RIG) (.pdf)
- "Renewable Power Plant Controller – Product Specification”, PXiSE Energy Solutions (.pdf)
- Lecture 6 - Volt/VAr Control (09:11 minutes)
- Lecture 7 - RTU's and Telemetry (14:50 minutes)
- Lecture 8 - Metering (11:04 minutes)
- Lecture 9 - Review of a Project's Protection, Metering, and Telemetry Requirements (12:34 minutes)
- Generation Interconnection Study Report (.pdf)
- Interconnection Monitoring, Control and Protection Quiz
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- 1 IEEE CEUs
Approved NABCEP CEU Hours
NABCEP Credential | Advanced Hours for Exam | Recertification CEU Hours | NEC | JTA | RE Elective | Building or Fire Code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | |
0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | |
0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
Instructor
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Tim Taylor
Owner and Managing Director, Electric Distribution AcademyTim 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