Section 466.10  Scope

 

The Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard applies to distributed energy resources facilities operated in parallel with an electric public utility distribution company in Illinois and meeting the following criteria:

 

a)         The nameplate capacity of the distributed energy resources facility is equal to or less than 10 megavolt amperes (MVA); and

 

b)         The electric distribution system facilities to which the distributed energy resources facility is proposed to interconnect are not subject to the jurisdiction or interconnection requirements of either the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the applicable Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) (either Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) or PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM)).

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.15  Compliance

 

The Commission shall require implementation of each requirement on November 1, 2022 unless the Commission grants an extension of time for cause.

 

(Source:  Added at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.20  Definitions

 

Terms defined in Section 16-102 of the Public Utilities Act [220 ILCS 5] shall have the same meaning for purposes of this Part as they have under Section 16-102 of the Act, unless further defined in this Part.  The following words and terms, when used in this Part, have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

 

"Act" means the Public Utilities Act [220 ILCS 5].

 

"Adverse system impact" means a negative effect that compromises the safety or reliability of the electric distribution system or materially affects the quality of electric service provided by the electric distribution company (EDC) to other customers.

 

"Affected system" means an electric system not owned or operated by the electric distribution company reviewing the interconnection request that could suffer an adverse system impact from the proposed interconnection.

 

"Applicant" means a person (or entity) who has submitted an interconnection request to interconnect a distributed energy resources facility to an EDC's electric distribution system.

 

"Area network" means a type of electric distribution system served by multiple transformers interconnected in an electrical network circuit, generally used in large, densely populated metropolitan areas.

 

"Business day" means Monday through Friday, excluding State and federal holidays.

 

"Calendar day" means any day, including Saturdays, Sundays and State and federal holidays.

 

"Certificate of completion" means a certificate, in a form approved by the Commission, that contains information about the interconnection equipment to be used, its installation and local inspections (see Appendix B).

 

"Commissioning test" means tests applied to a distributed energy resources facility by the applicant after construction is completed to verify that the facility does not create adverse system impacts and performs to the submitted specifications.  At a minimum, the scope of the commissioning tests performed shall include the commissioning test specified in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Standard 1547 Section 5.4 "Commissioning tests".

 

"Contingent upgrades" means proposed interconnection facilities or distribution system upgrades, identified during interconnection studies for an applicant's interconnection request, that are the responsibility of an interconnection request earlier in the queue than the subject application for interconnection. The identified contingent upgrades are required in order for the applicant's proposed interconnection request to receive permission to operate and, if delayed or not built by the earlier-queued interconnection request, could cause a need for restudies of the interconnection request and may become the responsibility of the applicant's interconnection request.

 

"Distributed energy resources facility" or "DER" facility means the equipment used by an interconnection customer to generate or store electricity that operates in parallel with the electric distribution system.  A DER facility may include, but is not limited to, an electric generator or energy storage system, a prime mover, and the interconnection equipment required to safely interconnect with the electric distribution system or local electric power system.

 

"Distribution upgrade" means a required addition or modification to the electric distribution system to accommodate the interconnection of the DER facility.  Distribution upgrades do not include interconnection facilities.

 

"Draw-out type circuit breaker" means a switching device capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal and abnormal circuit conditions such as those of a short circuit.  A draw-out circuit breaker can be physically removed from its enclosure creating a visible break in the circuit.  The draw-out circuit breaker shall be capable of being locked in the open, drawn-out position.

 

"Earlier in the queue" means that an interconnection request relative to another interconnection request retains the rights to use any available distribution system capacity first and may be interconnected first.

 

"Electric distribution company" (EDC) means any electric utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.

 

"Electric distribution system" means the facilities and equipment owned and operated by the EDC and used to transmit electricity to ultimate usage points such as homes and industries from interchanges with higher voltage transmission networks that transport bulk power over longer distances.  The voltage levels at which electric distribution systems operate differ among areas, but generally operate at less than 100 kilovolts (kV) of electricity.  "Electric distribution system" excludes facilities under the operational control of the regional transmission organization (RTO) that would otherwise be classified as distribution.

 

"Energy storage system" (ESS) means a mechanical, electrical, or electrochemical means to store and release electrical energy, and its associated electrical inversion device and control functions.

 

"Export capacity" means the nameplate capacity in kilovolt amperes (kVA) of a DER facility except where that capacity is limited by an acceptable means as identified in Section 466.75.

 

"Fault current" is the electrical current that flows through a circuit during an electrical fault condition.  A fault condition occurs when one or more electrical conductors contact ground or each other.  Types of faults include phase to ground, double-phase to ground, three-phase to ground, phase-to-phase, and three-phase.  Often, a fault current is several times larger in magnitude than the current that normally flows through a circuit.

 

"Host load" means the electrical power registered by the EDC during the prior 12-month period at the customer meter to which the proposed DER facility is to be interconnected.

 

"IEEE" is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 3 Park Avenue, New York NY 10016-5997 (http://www.ieee.org).

 

"IEEE C37.90" is the IEEE Standard C 37.90 (2005), "IEEE Standard for Relays and Relay Systems Associated with Electric Power Apparatus".  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"IEEE C37.90.1" is the IEEE Standard C37.90.1 (2012), "IEEE Standard for Surge Withstand Capability (SWC) Tests for Relays and Relay Systems Associated with Electric Power Apparatus".  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"IEEE C37.90.2" is the IEEE Standard C37.90.2 (2004), "IEEE Standard for Withstand Capability of Relay Systems to Radiated Electromagnetic Interference from Transceivers".  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"IEEE C62.92.6" is the IEEE Standard C62.92.6 (2017), "IEEE Guide for Application of Neutral Grounding in Electrical Utility Systems, Part VI--Systems Supplied by Current-Regulated Sources". This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"IEEE Standard 519-2014" is the IEEE Standard 519-2014 "IEEE Recommended Practice and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems". This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"IEEE Standard 1547" is the IEEE Standard 1547 (2003) "Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems".  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"IEEE Standard 1547.1" is the IEEE Standard 1547.1 (2005) "Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems."  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"Inadvertent export" means the unpermitted, unscheduled, and uncompensated export of real power from a DER facility and exported across the point of interconnection to the EDC's distribution system.

 

"Interconnection customer" means a person or entity that interconnects, or seeks to interconnect, a DER facility to an electric distribution system.

 

"Interconnection equipment" means a group of components or an integrated system owned and operated by the interconnection customer that connects an electric generator with a local electric power system, as that term is defined in Section 3.1.6.2 of IEEE Standard 1547, or with the electric distribution system.  Interconnection equipment is all interface equipment including switchgear, protective devices, inverters or other interface devices.  Interconnection equipment may be installed as part of an integrated equipment package that includes a generator or other electric source.

 

"Interconnection facilities" means facilities and equipment required by the EDC to accommodate the interconnection of a DER facility.  After installation, interconnection facilities become part of the electric distribution system.  Collectively, interconnection facilities include all facilities and equipment between the DER facility's interconnection equipment and the point of interconnection, including any modifications, additions, or upgrades necessary to physically and electrically interconnect the DER facility to the electric distribution system.  Interconnection facilities are sole use facilities and do not include distribution upgrades.

 

"Interconnection request" means an applicant's request, in a form approved by the Commission, for interconnection of a new DER facility or to change the capacity or other operating characteristics of an existing DER facility already interconnected with the electric distribution system.

 

"Interconnection study" is any study described in Section 466.120.

 

"Lab-certified" means a designation that the interconnection equipment meets the requirements set forth in Section 466.70.

 

"Like-kind modification" means a modification to interconnection equipment such that the installed interconnection equipment has analogous certification, size, ratings, impedances, efficiencies, and operating capabilities. 

 

"Limited export" means the exporting capability of a DER facility whose generating capacity is limited below the nameplate capacity by the use of a configuration or operating mode as described in Section 466.75.

 

"Line section" is that portion of an electric distribution system connected to an interconnection customer's site, bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices or the end of the distribution line.

 

"Local electric power system" means facilities that deliver electric power to a load that is contained entirely within a single premises or group of premises.  Local electric power system has the same meaning as that term has as defined in Section 3.1.6.2 of IEEE Standard 1547.

 

"Material modification" has the meaning ascribed in Section 466.125.

 

"Minor system modifications" means modifications to an EDC's Electric Distribution System located between the service tap on the distribution circuit and the meter serving the Interconnection Customer or other minor system changes that the EDC estimates will entail less than 10 hours of work and $5,000 in materials.

 

"Nameplate capacity" is the maximum rated output in kVA of a generator, prime mover, energy storage system, or other electric power production equipment under specific conditions designated by the manufacturer and usually indicated on a nameplate physically attached to the power production equipment.

 

"Nationally recognized testing laboratory" or "NRTL" means a qualified private organization that meets the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) regulations.  See 29 CFR 1910.7 (February 18, 2020).  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.  NRTLs perform independent safety testing and product certification.  Each NRTL shall meet the requirements as set forth by OSHA in its NRTL program.

 

"Non-export" or "non-exporting" means that the DER facility is sized and designed, such that no electrical energy other than inadvertent export allowed by Section 466.75 is transferred from the DER facility to the electric distribution system.

 

"Operating profile" means the manner in which the DER facility is designed to be operated, based on the generating prime mover and operating characteristics, including any energy storage system.

 

"Parallel operation" or "parallel" means a DER facility that is connected electrically to the electric distribution system for longer than 100 milliseconds.

 

"Point of interconnection" or "POI" means the point where the DER facility is electrically connected to the electric distribution system.  Point of interconnection has the same meaning as the term "point of common coupling" defined in Section 3.1.13 of IEEE Standard 1547.

 

"Power control system" means systems or devices that electronically limit or control steady state currents to a programmable limit. 

 

"Power rating configuration setting" means the as-configured value of the active or apparent power ratings that is used as the rating within the DER facility.

 

"Primary line" means an electric distribution system line operating at greater than 600 volts.

 

"Protective function" means the specific type of protection, based on the ANSI Protection Device Numbers and functional descriptions, that a utility-grade protective relay provides against conditions that, if left uncorrected, could result in, but not limited to, the following:  harm to personnel, damage to equipment, loss of safety or reliability, or operation outside pre-established parameters required by the interconnection agreement.

 

"Queue position" means, for each distribution circuit or line section, the order of a completed interconnection request relative to all other pending completed interconnection requests on that distribution circuit or line section.  It is established by the date that the EDC receives the completed interconnection request.

 

"Radial distribution circuit" means a circuit configuration in which independent feeders branch out radially from a common source of supply.

 

"Regional Transmission Organization" or "RTO" means the independent systems operator that administers and oversees the wholesale electricity markets in which the State participates.  In Illinois, the two RTOs are the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. and PJM Interconnection, LLC.

 

"Scoping meeting" means a meeting between representatives of the applicant and EDC conducted to discuss interconnection issues and exchange relevant information.

 

"Secondary line" means an electric distribution system line, or service line, operating at 600 volts or less.

 

"Shared transformer" means a transformer that supplies secondary voltage to more than one customer.

 

"Spot network" means a type of electric distribution system that uses two or more inter-tied transformers to supply an electrical network circuit.  A spot network is generally used to supply power to a single customer or a small group of customers.  Spot network has the same meaning as the term "spot network" defined in Section 4.1.4 of IEEE Standard 1547.

 

"Standard DER interconnection agreement" means a standard interconnection agreement applicable to interconnection requests for DER facilities.  (see Appendices A and D).

 

"UL Standard 1741" means the standard titled "Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources (January 28, 2010), Underwriters Laboratories Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook IL 60062-2096.  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"UL 1741 CRD for PCS" means the Certification Requirement Decision for Power Control Systems for the standard titled "Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources" (March 8, 2019), Underwriters Laboratories Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook IL 60062-2096.  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions.

 

"Utility-grade protective relay" means a protective relay system that works under a variety of environmental and operational conditions and that includes:

 

Test plugs/switches for testing the operation of the relay without unwiring or disassembly;

 

Targets to indicate relay operation;

 

Ability to record and store fault events; and

 

Conformance with IEEE C37.90, IEEE C37.90.1 and IEEE C37.90.2.

 

"Witness test" means a verification, either by an on-site observation or review of documents, that the interconnection installation evaluation required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.3 and the commissioning test required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.4 have been performed.  For interconnection equipment that has not been lab-certified, the witness test shall also include verification of the on-site design tests as required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.1 and verification of production tests required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.2.  All verified tests are to be performed in accordance with the test procedures specified by IEEE Standard 1547.1.

 

(Source:  Former Section 466.30 renumbered to 466.20 and amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.30  Waiver

 

a)         The Commission may, on application or petition of an EDC, DER applicant or customer, or on its own motion, grant a temporary or permanent waiver from this Part, or any Section or subsection of this Part, in individual cases in which the Commission finds that:

 

1)         the provision from which the waiver is granted is not statutorily mandated;

 

2)         there is good cause for the waiver, and it is in the public interest; and

 

3)         the rule from which the waiver is granted would, as applied to the particular case, be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

 

b)         The burden of proof in establishing a right to waiver shall be on the party seeking the waiver.

 

(Source:  Former Section 466.35 renumbered to 466.30 and amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.35  Waiver (Renumbered)

 

(Source:  Renumbered at 466.30 at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.40  Technical Standards

 

The technical standard to be used in evaluating interconnection requests governed by the Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard is IEEE Standard 1547.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.45  Pre-Application Report

 

a)         A potential applicant may submit a formal written request form along with a non-refundable fee of $300 for a pre-application report on a proposed project at a specific site. The EDC shall provide the pre-application data described in Section 466.50(b) to the potential applicant within 20 business days after receipt of the completed pre-application report request form and payment of the $300 fee. The pre-application report produced by the EDC is non-binding and does not confer any rights; the potential applicant must file an application before it can interconnect with the EDC's system. The written pre-application report request form shall include the following information:

 

1)         project contact information, including name, address, phone number and email address;

 

2)         project location (street address with nearby cross streets, town, and GPS coordinates in decimal format);

 

3)         meter number, pole number, EDC account number or other equivalent information identifying proposed point of interconnection, if available;

 

4)         generator type (e.g., solar, wind, combined heat and power, energy storage or inverter system, or fuel cells);

 

5)         total generation capacity and total storage capacity (alternating current kVA);

 

6)         single or three-phase generator configuration;

 

7)         whether new electric service is required for the site. Include the existing minimum and maximum on-site electrical demand (in kVA) and describe any expected changes to the minimum or maximum on-site electrical demand (in kVA), including the timing of those changes; and

 

8)         the number and capacity of each generator unit to be interconnected at the site specified in the pre-application report request.

 

b)         Using the information provided in the pre-application report request form described in subsection (a), the EDC will identify the distribution facilities that are likely to serve the proposed point of interconnection if the project is constructed, including:  substation/area bus, substation transformer or distribution circuit, as applicable. This identification by the EDC does not guarantee, after application of the relevant review process, that the EDC will use the distribution facilities identified in the pre-application report to connect to the project. The potential applicant must request additional pre-application reports if information about multiple points of interconnection is requested. Subject to subsection (c), the pre-application report shall include the following information:

 

1)         Identification of up to two distribution circuits within one quarter mile of the proposed point of interconnection, including the following information: 

 

A)        Substation and circuit identifying information;

 

B)        Feeder configuration (e.g., radial or network);

 

C)        Number and size of phase conductors at the point of interconnection;

 

D)        Distance to three-phase (if applicable);

 

E)        Primary circuit voltage at the point of interconnection;

 

F)         Existing aggregate generation capacity interconnected to the identified substations and circuits;

 

G)        Aggregate generation capacity and non-binding estimated costs associated with projects earlier in the queue and planned for the identified substations and circuits;

 

H)        Capacity of the substation transformer, substation circuit equipment, and lowest rated circuit equipment between the proposed point of interconnection and the substation/area bus identified;

 

I)         Circuit peak and minimum load: estimated if actual is unavailable (i.e., minimum load from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Prevailing Time for fixed panel photovoltaic (PV) systems, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for PV systems using tracking systems, or absolute minimum for non-PV and energy storage systems);

 

J)         Approximate circuit distance between the proposed point of interconnection and the identified substation or area bus;

 

K)        Size and type of relevant protective devices between the proposed point of interconnection and the substation/area bus identified, including:

 

i)          Lowest rated upstream recloser, where applicable; and

 

ii)         Lowest rated upstream fuse, where applicable;

 

L)        Number of regulating devices between the proposed point of interconnection and the substation/area bus identified; and

 

M)       For the EDC's proposed point of interconnection, all existing or anticipated constraints that might affect the interconnection.

 

2)         Disclosure from the EDC as to whether the aggregate contingent upgrades of the systems earlier in the queue are estimated to exceed the following thresholds, if such estimates are available:

 

A)        Distribution facility replacement/upgrades of $50,000;

 

B)        Substation transformer replacement/upgrades of $100,000; or

 

C)        Transmission replacement/upgrades of $100,000.

 

c)         The pre-application report need only include existing data. A pre-application report request does not obligate the EDC to conduct a study or other analysis of the proposed generator in the event that data is not available.  The information concerning "available capacity" provided within the pre-application report represents the best information available to the EDC at the time of reporting and does not imply that an interconnection up to this level may be completed without impacts.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.50  Interconnection Requests

 

a)         Applicants seeking to interconnect a DER facility shall submit an interconnection request to the EDC that owns the electric distribution system to which interconnection is sought.  Applicants shall use interconnection request forms approved by the Commission.

 

b)         EDCs may charge a fee by level that an applicant must remit in order to process an interconnection request. The EDCs shall not charge more than the fees specified in the interconnection request application forms (Appendices A and D).

 

c)         Interconnection requests may be submitted electronically.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.60  General Requirements

 

a)         When an interconnection request for a DER facility includes multiple energy production devices at a site for which the applicant seeks a single point of interconnection, the interconnection request shall be evaluated based on the aggregate nameplate capacity of the multiple devices.  Where the export capacity is limited through acceptable means as defined in Section 466.75, the EDC shall evaluate only the aggregate export capacity for certain impacts as specified in the screening and study provisions.

 

b)         When an interconnection request is for an increase in capacity for an existing DER facility, the interconnection request shall be evaluated based on the incremental impact of the new total nameplate capacity of the DER facility.  Where the export capacity is limited through acceptable means as defined in Section 466.75, the EDC shall evaluate only the aggregate export capacity for certain impacts as specified in the screening and study provisions.

 

c)         EDCs shall publish on their websites a dedicated email address and phone number as a point of contact.  The point of contact shall be able to direct applicant questions concerning interconnection request submissions and the interconnection request process to knowledgeable individuals within the EDC.

 

d)         The information that the EDC makes available to potential applicants can include previously existing EDC studies that help applicants understand whether it is feasible to interconnect a DER facility at a particular point on the EDC's electric distribution system.  The EDC may require a confidentiality agreement prior to release of this information.  However, the EDC can refuse to provide the information to the extent that providing it violates security requirements or confidentiality agreements, or it is contrary to law or State or federal regulations.

 

e)         The EDC shall deem an interconnection request complete when the applicant submits completed forms.

 

f)         When an applicant is not currently a customer of the EDC at the proposed site, the applicant shall provide, at the time of the interconnection request, proof of the applicant's legal right to control the site, evidenced by the applicant's name on a property tax bill, deed, lease agreement, option agreement, or other legally binding contract.

 

g)         An interconnection request shall be processed in accordance with Sections 466.90(b)(2), 466.100(b)(2), 466.110(a)(2), and 466.120(b) of this Part.

 

h)         To minimize the cost to interconnect multiple DER facilities, the EDC or the applicant may propose a single point of interconnection for multiple DER facilities located at an interconnection customer site that is on contiguous property.  If the applicant rejects the EDC's proposal for a single point of interconnection, the applicant shall pay any additional cost to provide a separate point of interconnection for each DER facility.  If the EDC, without written and detailed technical explanation, rejects the customer's proposal for a single point of interconnection, the EDC shall pay any additional cost to provide separate points of interconnection for each DER facility.  Any disagreement over who bears the cost for providing separate points of interconnection shall be resolved in accordance with Section 466.130.

 

i)          To protect the safety of the EDC's employees or the reliability of the distribution system, EDCs may require that DER facilities have the capability to be isolated from the electric distribution system.  For DER facilities interconnecting to a primary line, the isolation shall be by means of a lockable, visible-break isolation device accessible by the EDC.  For DER facilities interconnecting to a secondary line, the isolation shall be by means of a lockable isolation device whose status is indicated and is accessible by the EDC.  For DER facilities interconnecting to a secondary line through a self-contained meter, the EDC's removal of the self-contained electric meter may satisfy this capability.  The isolation device shall be installed, owned and maintained by the owner of the DER facility and located electrically between the DER facility and the point of interconnection.  A draw-out type of circuit breaker accessible to the EDC with a provision for padlocking at the drawn-out position satisfies the requirement for an isolation device.

 

j)          The interconnection customer shall allow the EDC to isolate the DER facility.  An interconnection customer may elect to provide the EDC with access to an isolation device that is contained in a building or area that may be unoccupied and locked or not otherwise accessible to the EDC by installing a lockbox provided by the EDC that allows ready access to the isolation device.  The lockbox shall be in a location determined by the EDC to be accessible by the EDC.  The interconnection customer shall permit the EDC to affix a placard in a location of its choosing that provides instructions to EDC operating personnel for accessing the isolation device.  If the EDC needs to isolate the distribution generation facility, the EDC shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from the actions necessary to isolate the generation facility.

 

k)         Any metering required for a DER interconnection shall be installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with applicable EDC tariffs and agreements.  Any such metering requirements shall be identified in the standard DER interconnection agreement executed between the interconnection customer and the EDC.

 

l)          EDC monitoring and control of DER facilities are permitted only when the nameplate capacity is greater than 2 MVA or for a DER facility with a nameplate capacity equal to or less than 2 MVA when the EDC determines, and the applicant agrees, that such monitoring and control could be used to mitigate impacts from the project that may otherwise require an upgrade or would otherwise be useful or beneficial.  Monitoring and control requirements shall be consistent with the EDC's published requirements and shall be clearly identified in the interconnection agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC.  Transfer trip shall not be considered EDC monitoring and control when required and installed to protect the electric distribution system or an affected system against adverse system impacts.  However, transfer trip, if required, shall be clearly identified in the interconnection agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC.

 

m)        The EDC may require a witness test after the DER facility is constructed.  The applicant shall provide the EDC with at least 15 business days' notice of the planned commissioning test for the DER facility, unless otherwise agreed by the EDC and applicant.  The applicant and EDC shall schedule the witness test at a mutually agreeable time.  If the witness test results are not acceptable to the EDC, the applicant shall be granted 30 business days to address and resolve any deficiencies.  The time period for addressing and resolving any deficiencies may be extended upon the mutual agreement of the EDC and the applicant prior to the end of the 30 business days.  The EDC shall not deny an initial request for extension.  Subsequent requests may be denied only if there are applicants later in the queue that would be impacted by additional delays.  If the applicant fails to address and resolve the deficiencies to the EDC's satisfaction, the EDC may deem the interconnection request withdrawn.  Even if the EDC or an entity approved by the EDC does not witness a commissioning test, the applicant remains obligated to satisfy the interconnection test specifications and requirements set forth in IEEE Standard 1547 Clause 11.  The applicant shall, if requested by the EDC, provide a copy of all documentation in its possession regarding testing conducted pursuant to IEEE Standard 1547.1.

 

n)         Each EDC shall allow interconnection requests to be submitted through the EDC's website or via another website if a link is provided on the EDC's website.

 

o)         Each EDC shall dedicate a page on its website to interconnection procedures.  The relevant website page shall include the following information updated as it changes or with the frequency specifically identified in this subsection:

 

1)         the EDC's interconnection procedures and attachments in an electronically searchable format;

 

2)         the EDC's interconnection request forms in a format that allows for electronic entry of data;

 

3)         the EDC's interconnection agreements;

 

4)         the EDC's point of contact for questions about interconnection and submission of interconnection requests, including a dedicated e-mail address and phone number;

 

5)         the EDC's interconnection queue;

 

6)         the EDC's hosting capacity map;

 

7)         for EDCs serving more than 500,000 customers, the EDC's hosting capacity analysis results, including, at a minimum, mapping and GIS capability; and

 

8)         an electronic form to request the technical standards required by Section 466.140(d).

 

p)         Each EDC shall allow electronic signatures to be used for interconnection requests and agreements.

 

q)         Each EDC shall accept electronic payments for interconnection fees and study costs.

 

r)          Nothing in this Part shall be interpreted to limit the ability of EDCs and interconnection customers to enter into an agreement to allow the EDC to actively communicate with and control the interconnection customer's smart inverter in order to reduce the facilities and costs associated with interconnection upgrade or as would otherwise be useful or beneficial.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.70  Lab-Certified Equipment

 

An interconnection request may be eligible for expedited interconnection review under Section 466.90 if the distributed energy resources facility uses interconnection equipment that is lab-certified.  Interconnection equipment shall be deemed to be lab-certified upon establishment of the following:

 

a)         The interconnection equipment has been successfully tested in accordance with IEEE Standard 1547.1, and it complies with the appropriate codes and standards referenced in subsection (f) as demonstrated by any NRTL recognized by OSHA to test and certify interconnection equipment; and

 

b)         The interconnection equipment has been labeled and is publicly listed by the NRTL at the time of the interconnection request; and

 

c)         The NRTL testing the interconnection equipment makes all test standards and procedures that it used to perform equipment certification available, and, with applicant approval, the test data itself.  The NRTL may make this information readily available by publishing it on its web site and by encouraging it to be included in the manufacturer's literature accompanying the equipment; and

 

d)         The applicant's use of the interconnection equipment falls within the use or uses for which the interconnection equipment was labeled and listed by the NRTL; and

 

e)         The generator, other electric sources, and interface components being utilized are compatible with the interconnection equipment and are consistent with the testing and listing specified by the NRTL for this type of interconnection equipment; and

 

f)         To meet the requirements for lab certification, interconnection equipment shall be evaluated by an NRTL in accordance with the following codes and standards:

 

1)         IEEE 1547 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems (including use of IEEE 1547.1 testing protocols to establish conformity);

 

2)         UL 1741 Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources; and

 

3)         NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (2014), National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02169-7471.  This incorporation does not include any later amendments or editions; and

 

g)         Lab-certified interconnection equipment shall not require further design testing or production testing, as specified by IEEE Standard 1547 Sections 5.1 and 5.2, or additional interconnection equipment modification to meet the requirements for expedited review; however, nothing in this Section shall preclude the need for an interconnection installation evaluation, commissioning tests or periodic testing as specified by IEEE Standard 1547 Sections 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 or for a witness test conducted by an EDC.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.75  Limited-Export and Non-Exporting Distribution Energy Resources Facilities

 

The following technical specifications are intended to identify acceptable export control methods to facilitate the interconnection and parallel operation of limited-export and non-export systems with the EDC's electric distribution system.

 

a)         If a DER facility uses any configuration or operating mode in subsections (c)(1) through (6) to limit the export of electrical power across the point of interconnection, then the export capacity shall be only the amount capable of being exported (not including any inadvertent export). To prevent impacts on system safety and reliability, any inadvertent export from a DER facility must comply with the limits identified in this Section. The export capacity specified by the interconnection customer in the application will subsequently be included as a limitation in the interconnection agreement. Applicants seeking to interconnect using the operating modes under this Section shall submit proposed control or protection settings in their application for review by the EDC to verify compliance with the requirements of this Section.

 

b)         The export control types and settings listed in subsection (c) are acceptable for controlling export capacity unless the EDC identifies and communicates to the customer during the interconnection screening or study process specific impacts that affect the reliability, safety, operation and power quality of the EDC's system associated with the protection relays, settings and control schemes listed in this Section. In that case, the EDC may identify alternate settings that would be required for safe and reliable interconnection of the proposed DER facility. The EDC may also identify any monitoring and control equipment to be installed at Applicant’s expense on DER systems using export control equipment that is required for safe and reliable interconnection and operation of the DER facility.

 

c)         The export controls identified in subsections (c)(1) through (3) are acceptable for non-exporting systems only. The export control identified in subsections (c)(4) and (c)(5) may be used for limited export systems only. The export controls in subsections (c)(6) and (7) may be used for either non-exporting or limited export systems. Inverter-based limited export systems shall use advanced inverters utilizing operating modes and settings specified by the EDC in its written technical standards for interconnection.

 

1)         Reverse Power Protection (Device 32R)

To limit export of power across the point of interconnection, a reverse power protective function is implemented using a utility-grade protective relay.  The default setting for this protective function shall be 0.1% (export) of the service transformer's nominal base nameplate rating, with a maximum 2.0 second time delay to limit inadvertent export.

 

2)         Minimum Power Protection (Device 32F)

To limit export of power across the point of interconnection, a minimum import protective function is implemented using a utility-grade protective relay. The default setting for this protective function shall be 5% (import) of the generating unit's total nameplate capacity, with a maximum 2.0 second time delay to limit inadvertent export.

 

3)         Relative Distributed Energy Resource Rating

This option requires the DER facility's nameplate capacity to be so small in comparison to its host facility's minimum load that the use of additional protective functions is not required to ensure that power will not be exported to the electric distribution system. This option requires the DER facility's nameplate capacity to be no greater than 50% of the interconnection customer's verifiable minimum host load over the past 12 months.  For systems above 250 kVA, the EDC may require additional assurances, equipment, or agreements based upon evaluation of the stability and reliability of the minimum load data. This option is not available for interconnections to area networks or spot networks.

 

4)         Directional Power Protection (Device 32)

To limit export of power across the point of interconnection, a directional power protective function is implemented using a utility-grade protective relay. The default setting for this protective function shall be the export capacity value, with a maximum 2.0 second time delay to limit inadvertent export.

 

5)         Configured Power Rating

A reduced output power rating utilizing the power rating configuration setting may be used to ensure the DER does not generate power beyond a certain value lower than the nameplate capacity. The reduced power rating shall be indicated by means of a nameplate rating replacement, or by a supplemental adhesive nameplate rating tag to indicate the reduced nameplate rating. At the discretion of the EDC, the applicant may additionally be required to provide a letter from the manufacturer confirming the reduced capacity.

 

6)         Limited Export Utilizing Power Control Systems

The following are the minimum requirements for the limited export utilizing power control systems that meet the criteria specified in this subsection (c)(6). Other factors relevant to the interconnection study process may necessitate additional technical requirements that are not explicitly noted in this subsection.  This option is not available for interconnections to area networks or spot networks.

 

A)        DER facilities utilizing this option must use an NRTL-certified UL 1741 power control system and inverter system with a maximum open loop response time of no more than 30 seconds for systems less than or equal to 100 kVA and a maximum open loop response time of no more than 10 seconds for systems greater than 100 kVA.  The DER facility must disconnect from the electric distribution system, ceasing to energize the electric system or halting energy production within 2.0 seconds if the period of continuous export exceeds 30.0 seconds.

 

B)        Failure of the control system or inverter system for more than 30.0 seconds resulting from loss of control or measurement signal, loss of control power, single component failure, or related control sensing of the control circuitry must result in the DER facility entering non-export operation mode whereby no energy is exported across the point of interconnection to the electric distribution system until the customer has reestablished real power output control of the DER facility.

 

C)        An acceptable open loop response time may need to be mutually agreed upon between the EDC and the applicant for DER facilities with a nameplate capacity greater than 1 MVA that utilize a NRTL certified power control system.

 

COMMISSION NOTE:  NRTL testing to the UL power control system certification requirements decision shall be accepted until similar test procedures for power control systems are included in a standard.

 

7)         Limited Export Using Agreed-Upon Means

DER facilities may be designed with other control systems or protective functions to limit export and inadvertent export if mutual agreement is reached with the EDC. The limits may be based on technical limitations of the interconnection customer's equipment or the electric distribution system equipment. To ensure inadvertent export remains within mutually agreed-upon limits, the interconnection customer may use an uncertified power control system, an internal transfer relay, energy management system, or other customer facility hardware or software if approved by the EDC.

 

(Source:  Added at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.80  Determining the Review Level

 

An EDC shall determine whether an interconnection request should be processed under the Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 procedures by using the following screens:

 

a)         An EDC shall use Level 1 procedures to evaluate all interconnection requests to connect a DER facility when:

 

1)         The applicant has filed a Level 1 application; and

 

2)         The DER facility has an export capacity of 25 kW or less and a nameplate capacity of 50 kW or less.  If the DER facility's export capacity is not limited, the nameplate capacity cannot exceed 25 kW; and

 

3)         The DER facility is inverter-based; and

 

4)         The customer interconnection equipment proposed for the DER facility is lab-certified.

 

b)         An EDC shall use Level 2 procedures for evaluating interconnection requests when:

 

1)         The applicant has filed a Level 2 application;

 

2)         For certified inverter-based systems, the permissible nameplate capacity is limited according to the voltage of the line at the proposed point of interconnection as follows:

 

Line Voltage	Level 2 Eligibility
< 5 kV	≤ 500 kW
≥ 5 kV and < 15 kV	≤ 3 MW
≥ 15 kV and < 30 kV	≤ 4 MW
≥ 30 kV and ≤ 69 kV	≤ 5 MW

 

3)         All DER facilities connecting to lines greater than 69 kV are ineligible for Level 2 review regardless of size.  All synchronous and induction machines must have a nameplate capacity no larger than 2 MW to be eligible;

 

4)         The interconnection equipment proposed for the DER facility is lab-certified; and

 

5)         The proposed interconnection is to a radial distribution circuit or a spot network limited to serving one customer.

 

c)         An EDC shall use Level 3 review procedures for evaluating interconnection requests to area networks and radial distribution circuits where power will not be exported based on the following criteria.

 

1)         For interconnection requests to the load side of an area network, the following criteria shall be satisfied to qualify for a Level 3 expedited review:

 

A)        The applicant has filed a Level 3 application; and

 

B)        The nameplate capacity of the DER facility is less than or equal to 50 kW; and

 

C)        The proposed DER facility uses a lab-certified inverter-based equipment package; and

 

D)        The DER facility uses acceptable means for non-export controls as set forth in Section 466.75; and

 

E)        The aggregate of all generation on the area network does not exceed the lower of 5% of an area network's maximum load or 50 kVA.

 

2)         For interconnection requests to a radial distribution circuit, the following criteria shall be satisfied to qualify for a Level 3 expedited review:

 

A)        The applicant has filed a Level 3 application; and

 

B)        The aggregate export capacity of all the generators on the circuit, including the proposed DER facility, is 10 MVA or less; and

 

C)        The DER facility will use acceptable means for controlling export as set forth in Section 466.75; and

 

D)        The DER facility is not served by a shared transformer.

 

d)         An EDC shall use the Level 4 study review procedures for evaluating interconnection requests when:

 

1)         The interconnection request does not qualify for Level 1, 2, or 3 expedited review;

 

2)         The interconnection request failed one or more screens of a Level 1, 2, or 3 expedited review, or a Level 2 supplemental review; or

 

3)         The applicant has filed a Level 4 application.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.90  Level 1 Expedited Review

 

An EDC shall use the Level 1 interconnection review procedures for an interconnection request that meets the requirements specified in Section 466.80(a).  An EDC may not impose additional requirements on Level 1 reviews that are not specifically authorized under this Section unless the applicant agrees.

 

a)         The EDC shall evaluate the potential for adverse system impacts using the following screens, which shall be satisfied:

 

1)         Until December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed DER facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the DER facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed DER facility, may not exceed 100% of the minimum load (or 15% of maximum load if minimum load data are unavailable) normally supplied by the distribution circuit or line section.  After December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed DER facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the DER facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed DER facility, may not exceed 100% of the minimum load normally supplied by the distribution circuit or line section.  

 

2)         The aggregate nameplate capacity of DER facilities connected on the load side of spot network protectors, including the proposed facility, shall not exceed 5% of the spot network's maximum load or 50 kVA, whichever is less.

 

3)         When a proposed DER facility is to be interconnected on a single-phase shared secondary line, the aggregate export capacity on the shared secondary line, including the proposed DER facility, shall not exceed 20 kVA.

 

4)         When a proposed DER facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, its addition may not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than 20% of the nameplate rating of the service transformer.

 

b)         The Level 1 interconnection shall use the following procedures:

 

1)         The applicant submits an interconnection request using the appropriate form along with the Level 1 application fee (see Appendix A). 

 

2)         Within 7 business days after receipt of the interconnection request, the EDC shall inform the applicant whether the interconnection request is complete or not.  If the request is incomplete, the EDC shall specify what information is missing and the applicant has 10 business days after receiving notice from the EDC to provide the missing information or the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.

 

3)         Within 15 business days after the EDC notifies the applicant that its interconnection request is complete, the EDC shall verify whether the DER facility passes all the relevant Level 1 screens.

 

4)         If the applicant passes the Level 1 screens, or the applicant fails screens but the EDC determines that the DER may be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability and power quality standards, the interconnection request shall proceed as follows:

 

A)        If the proposed interconnection requires no construction of facilities by the EDC on its own system, the EDC shall send, or otherwise make available to, the applicant an executed "Conditional Agreement to Interconnect Distributed Energy Resources Facility" (Appendix A), or electronic notification of conditional approval along with notification of the Level 1 review results.

 

B)        If the proposed interconnection requires only minor system modifications, the EDC shall notify the applicant of the requirement when it provides the Level 1 results. The applicant must inform the EDC if the applicant elects to continue the application. If the applicant makes such an election and pays the fees specified in the EDC's tariff, the EDC shall provide a standard DER interconnection agreement (see Appendix D), along with a non-binding good faith cost estimate (if applicable) and construction schedule for those upgrades, to the applicant within 10 business days after the EDC receives such an election and the payment of the fee.

 

C)        If the proposed interconnection requires more than minor system modifications, the EDC shall notify the applicant of that requirement when it provides the Level 1 results.  The applicant must inform the EDC if the applicant elects to proceed with the proposed interconnection request. If the applicant makes such an election, the EDC may elect to:

 

i)          provide a standard DER interconnection agreement (see Appendix D), along with a non-binding good faith cost estimate (if applicable) and construction schedule for those upgrades, within 15 business days after the EDC receives such an election and the applicant pays the fee specified in the EDC's tariff; or

 

ii)         notify the applicant that an interconnection facilities study must be performed pursuant to Section 466.120(e)(3).  If the applicant elects to proceed with an interconnection facilities study, the EDC shall proceed with the interconnection facilities study according to the timeframes and process in Section 466.120(e)(3).

 

5)         Upon approving the interconnection request pursuant to subsection (b)(4), the EDC shall provide to the applicant a signed version of the "Conditional Agreement to Interconnect Distributed Energy Resources Facility" in Appendix A subject to the following conditions:

 

A)        The DER facility has been approved by local or municipal electric code officials with jurisdiction over the interconnection;

 

B)        A certificate of completion (see Appendix B) has been returned to the EDC.  Completion of local inspections may be designated on inspection forms used by local inspecting authorities;

 

C)        The witness test has been successfully completed if required by the EDC or if the witness test has been waived according to of Appendix A(2)(c)(ii); and

 

D)        The applicant has signed a standard DER interconnection agreement (see Appendix A).  When an applicant does not sign the agreement within 30 business days after receipt of the agreement from the EDC, the interconnection request is deemed withdrawn unless the applicant requests to have the deadline extended for no more than 15 business days.  An initial request for extension shall not be denied by the EDC, but subsequent requests may be denied.  In order to withdraw a standard DER interconnection agreement, the EDC must first send a notification to the applicant of its intent to withdraw, and the applicant must not have sent an executed standard DER interconnection agreement within 5 business days after receipt of the notice.

 

6)         If the EDC determines and demonstrates that a DER facility does not pass all relevant Level 1 screens, the EDC shall provide a letter to the applicant explaining the reasons that the facility did not pass those screens.

 

7)         If a DER facility is not approved under a Level 1 review, and the EDC's reasons for denying Level 1 status are not subject to dispute, the applicant may submit a new interconnection request for consideration under Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 procedures.  The queue position assigned to the Level 1 interconnection request shall be retained, provided that the new interconnection request is made by the applicant within 15 business days after notification that the current interconnection request is denied.

 

c)         For the purposes of an interconnection customer's payment responsibilities under this Part, the standardized cost for Level 1 interconnection shall be $200.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the EDC incurs costs that exceed $200 to accomplish a Level 1 interconnection, the EDC may seek to recover these costs through its base delivery rates.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.100  Level 2 Expedited Review

 

An EDC shall use the Level 2 review procedure for interconnection requests that meet the Level 2 criteria in Section 466.80(b).  An EDC may not impose additional requirements for Level 2 reviews that are not specifically authorized under this Section unless the applicant agrees.

 

a)         The EDC shall evaluate the potential for adverse system impacts using the following screens, which shall be satisfied:

 

1)         Until December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed DER facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the DER facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed DER facility, may not exceed 100% of the minimum load (or 15% of the maximum load if minimum data are unavailable) normally supplied by the distribution circuit or line section. After December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed DER facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the DER facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed DER facility, may not exceed 100% of the minimum load normally supplied by the distribution circuit or line section.

 

2)         For interconnection of a proposed DER facility to the load side of spot network protectors, the proposed DER facility shall utilize an inverter-based equipment package.  The customer interconnection equipment proposed for the DER facility must be lab-certified and, when aggregated with other generation, the nameplate capacity may not exceed 5% of a spot network's maximum load.

 

3)         The proposed DER facility, in aggregate with other generation on the distribution circuit, may not contribute more than 10% to the distribution circuit's maximum fault current at the point on the primary line nearest the point of interconnection.

 

4)         The proposed DER facility, in aggregate with other generation on the distribution circuit, shall not cause any distribution protective devices and equipment including substation breakers, fuse cutouts, and line reclosers, or other customer equipment on the electric distribution system to be exposed to fault currents exceeding 90% of their short circuit interrupting capability.  However, if fault currents exceed 100% of the EDC's equipment short circuit interrupting capability even without the DER being interconnected, the EDC shall replace the equipment at its own expense, and interconnection may proceed under Level 2.

 

5)         When a customer-generator facility is to be connected to 3-phase, 3-wire primary EDC distribution lines, a 3-phase or single-phase generator shall use a phase-to-phase primary connection.  This screen does not apply to DER facilities with a nameplate capacity below 11 kVA.

 

6)         When a customer-generator facility is to be connected to 3-phase, 4-wire primary EDC distribution lines, a 3-phase or single-phase generator shall use a grounded line-to-neutral primary connection.  This screen does not apply to DER facilities with a nameplate capacity below 11 kVA.

 

7)         When the proposed DER facility is to be interconnected on single-phase shared secondary line, the aggregate export capacity on the shared secondary line, including the proposed DER facility, may not exceed 20 kVA.  In the instance where the proposed DER facility is below 100 kVA and uses acceptable means for controlling export as set forth in Section 466.75, the export capacity of the proposed DER facility will be used.

 

8)         When a proposed DER facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, its addition may not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than 20% of the nameplate kVA rating of the service transformer.

 

9)         The nameplate capacity of a DER facility, in aggregate with other DER facilities' nameplate capacity interconnected to the distribution side of a substation transformer feeding the circuit where the DER facility proposes to interconnect, may not exceed 10 MVA in an area where there are known or posted transient stability limitations to generating units located in the general electrical vicinity.

 

b)         The Level 2 interconnection shall use the following procedures:

 

1)         The applicant submits an interconnection request using the appropriate form and the Level 2 application fee (see Appendix C).

 

2)         Within 10 business days after receiving the interconnection request, the EDC shall inform the applicant as to whether the interconnection request is complete.  If the request is incomplete, the EDC shall specify what materials are missing and the applicant has 10 business days to provide the missing information or the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.

 

3)         After an interconnection request is deemed complete, the EDC shall assign a queue position based upon the date that the interconnection request is determined to be complete.  The EDC shall then inform the applicant of its queue position.

 

4)         If, after determining that the interconnection request is complete, the EDC determines that it needs additional information to evaluate the DER facility's adverse system impact, it shall request this information.  The EDC may not restart the review process or alter the applicant's queue position because it requires the additional information.  The EDC can extend the time to finish its evaluation only to the extent of the delay required for receipt of the additional information.  In order to withdraw an interconnection request, the EDC must first send a notification to the applicant of its intent to withdraw, and the applicant must not have sent the information requested by the EDC within 5 business days after receipt of the notice.

 

5)         Within 20 business days after the EDC notifies the applicant it has received a completed interconnection request, the EDC shall:

 

A)        Evaluate the interconnection request using the Level 2 screening criteria.

 

B)        Provide the applicant with the EDC's evaluation, including a written technical explanation.  If one or more screens are not passed, the EDC shall provide, in writing, the specific screens that the application failed, including the technical reason for failure. The EDC shall provide information and detail about the specific system threshold or limitation causing the application to fail the screen.  If an EDC does not have a record of receipt of the interconnection request and the applicant can demonstrate that the original interconnection request was delivered, the EDC shall expedite its review to complete the evaluation of the interconnection request within 20 business days after the applicant's demonstration.

 

c)         When an EDC determines that the interconnection request passes the Level 2 screening criteria contained in subsection (a), the interconnection request passes the Supplemental Review contained in subsection (f), or the EDC determines that the DER facility can be interconnected safely and will not cause adverse system impacts, even if it fails one or more of the Level 2 screening criteria, it shall provide the applicant with a standard DER interconnection agreement (see Appendix D) within the following timeframes:

 

1)         If the proposed interconnection requires no construction of facilities by the EDC on its own system, the interconnection agreement shall be provided within 5 business days after the notification of Level 2 review results.

 

2)         If the proposed interconnection requires only minor system modifications, the EDC shall notify the applicant of the required minor system modifications when it provides the Level 2 results. The applicant must inform the EDC if the applicant elects to continue the application and pay the fee specified in the EDC's tariff. If the applicant makes such an election, the EDC shall provide to the applicant the interconnection agreement, along with a non-binding good faith cost estimate and construction schedule for the required upgrades within 30 business days after the EDC receives such an election and the payment of the fee.

 

3)         If the proposed interconnection requires more than minor system modifications, the EDC shall notify the applicant of that requirement when it provides the Level 2 or supplemental review results. The applicant must inform the EDC if the applicant elects to continue the application. If the applicant makes such an election, the EDC may elect to:

 

A)        provide a standard DER interconnection agreement (see Appendix D), along with a non-binding good faith cost estimate and construction schedule for the required upgrades within 45 business days after the EDC receives such an election and the applicant pays the fee specified in the EDC's tariff; or

 

B)        notify the applicant that an interconnection facilities study under Section 466.120(e)(3) must be performed to determine the necessary upgrades. If the applicant elects to proceed with an interconnection facilities study, the EDC shall proceed with the interconnection facilities study according to the timeframes and process in Section 466.120(e)(3).

 

d)         Within 30 business days after receipt of the standard DER interconnection agreement, the applicant shall sign and return the agreement to the EDC.  If the applicant does not sign and return the agreement within 30 business days, the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn unless the applicant requests a 15-business-day extension in writing.  The initial request for extension may not be denied by the EDC.  When the EDC constructs an additional review under the provisions of subsection (f), the interconnection of the DER facility shall proceed according to milestones agreed to by the parties in the standard DER interconnection agreement.

 

e)         The DER facility is not permitted to operate until:

 

1)         All requirements in the standard DER interconnection agreement are satisfied;

 

2)         The DER facility is approved by the electric code officials with jurisdiction over the interconnection;

 

3)         The applicant provides a certificate of completion (see Appendix B) to the EDC. Completion of local inspections may be designated on inspection forms used by local inspecting authorities; and

 

4)         The witness test is successfully completed if required by the EDC or if the witness test is waived according to Article 2.1.1 of Appendix D.

 

f)         When a DER facility fails to meet one or more of the Level 2 screens contained in subsection (a), the EDC shall provide the applicant the opportunity to amend its application one time to address the screen failure and offer to perform a supplemental review in accordance with the following subsections and provide the applicant with a non-binding estimate for the costs of the supplemental review.  If the applicant chooses to amend the application to address the specific screens that failed, the applicant must submit updated application materials demonstrating the redesign within 10 business days after receiving the screen results from the EDC. If the applicant chooses to have a supplemental review performed, the EDC shall undertake the supplemental review only after the applicant pays for the supplemental review.

 

1)         If the applicant accepts the offer of a supplemental review, the applicant shall agree in writing and pay the amount of the EDC's good faith estimate of the costs of that review, both within 15 business days after the offer. If the written agreement and payment have not been received by the EDC within that timeframe, the interconnection request shall be considered withdrawn by the applicant.

 

2)         The applicant may specify the order in which the EDC will complete the screens in this Section.

 

3)         The applicant shall be responsible for the EDC's actual costs for conducting the supplemental review. The applicant must pay any additional costs that exceed the good faith estimate within 20 business days after receipt of the invoice or resolution of any dispute. If the initial payment exceeds the invoiced actual costs, the EDC will return that excess within 20 business days after the invoice without interest.

 

4)         Within 30 business days following receipt of the payment for a supplemental review, the EDC shall perform a supplemental review using the screens set forth in this subsection (f)(4); notify in writing the applicant of the results; and include with the notification copies of the analysis and data underlying the EDC's determinations under the screens.

 

A)        Minimum Load Screen

When 12 months of line section minimum load data (including onsite load but not station service load served by the proposed DER facility) are available, the aggregate export capacity of the generating facility on the line section is less than 100% of the minimum load for all line sections bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices upstream of the proposed DER facility. If minimum load data is not available, the EDC shall include the reasons that it is unable to determine minimum load in its supplemental review results notification under this Section.  This screen does not apply to non-exporting systems or those that are proposing to add no new export capacity.

 

i)          The type of generation used by the proposed DER facility will be taken into account when determining circuit or line section minimum load relevant to the application of this screen.  Solar PV generation systems with no energy storage use daytime minimum load (i.e., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for fixed panel systems and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for PV systems utilizing tracking systems), while all other generation uses absolute minimum load.  The EDC shall apply this screen using the operating profile and system design designated in the interconnection request and accompanying attachments.  For example, the EDC shall evaluate the maximum export capacity during the hours of the day designated by the customer as operational and shall take into account any export controls.

 

ii)          Only the net injection into the EDC's electric system will be considered as part of the aggregate export capacity.  In the instance where the proposed DER facility uses acceptable means for controlling export as set forth in Section 466.75, only the net power injection into the EDC's electric system will be considered as part of the aggregate export capacity.

 

iii)         For evaluating this screen, the EDC will not include as part of the aggregate export capacity any existing DER facility export capacity already reflected in the minimum load data.

 

B)       Voltage and Power Quality Screen

The project, considered in aggregate with existing generation, must meet the following requirements:  the voltage regulation can be maintained in compliance with relevant requirements under all system conditions; the voltage fluctuation is within the EDC's acceptable limits; and the harmonic levels meet limits recommended by IEEE Standard 519-2014: Recommended Practice and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems.

 

C)        Safety and Reliability Screen

The location of the proposed DER facility and the aggregate generation capacity on the line section do not create impacts to safety or reliability that cannot be adequately addressed without application of the Level 4 process. The EDC shall give due consideration to the following and other factors in determining potential impacts to safety and reliability in applying this screen:

 

i)          whether the line section has significant minimum loading levels dominated by a small number of customers (e.g., several large commercial customers);

 

ii)          whether the loading along the line section is uniform or even;

 

iii)         whether the proposed DER facility is located in close proximity to the substation (i.e., less than 2.5 electrical circuit miles), and whether the line section from the substation to the point of interconnection is a main line rated for normal and emergency ampacity;

 

iv)         whether the proposed DER facility incorporates a time delay function to prevent reconnection of the generator to the system until system voltage and frequency are within normal limits for a prescribed time;

 

v)          whether operational flexibility is reduced by the proposed DER facility, such that transfer of the line section of the DER facility to a neighboring distribution circuit/substation may trigger overloads or voltage issues; and

 

vi)         whether the proposed DER facility employs equipment or systems certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) to address technical issues such as, but not limited to, islanding, reverse power flow or voltage quality.

 

5)         If the proposed interconnection passes the supplemental review screening in this Section, the EDC shall provide the applicant with an executable interconnection agreement pursuant to subsections (c), (d) and (e).

 

g)         If the DER facility is not approved under a Level 2 review, the EDC shall provide the applicant with written notification explaining its reasons for denying the interconnection request.  The EDC shall specify which screens the application failed, including the technical reason for failure, and the data and the analysis supporting the supplemental review. The EDC shall provide information and detail about the specific system threshold or limitation, preventing determination of required system modification without further study. If the applicant chooses to revise the application to address the specific screens that failed, the customer must submit updated application materials demonstrating the redesign within 10 business days after receiving the review results from the EDC and pay an additional review cost. However, this redesign shall not include an increase in export capacity and shall not include a change in the proposed location of the DER facility. Increases in export capacity or changes in facility location shall require a new interconnection request and associated fees. The EDC will evaluate whether the redesign addresses the screen failure and provide the applicant the results of this evaluation in 10 business days. This option shall only be available one time during the screening phase of the Level 2 process.

 

h)         If the applicant chooses not to redesign the project or the redesign does not result in passage of the screens, the applicant may submit a new interconnection request for consideration under a Level 4 interconnection review.  The queue position assigned to the Level 2 interconnection request shall be retained, provided that the new interconnection request is made by the applicant within 15 business days after notification that the current interconnection request is denied.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.110  Level 3 Expedited Review

 

An EDC shall use the Level 3 expedited review procedure for an interconnection request that meets the criteria in Section 466.80(c). An EDC may not impose additional requirements for Level 3 reviews not specifically authorized under this section unless the applicant agrees.

 

a)         A Level 3 interconnection shall use the following procedures:

 

1)         The applicant submits an interconnection request using the appropriate form and the Level 3 application fee (see Appendix C).

 

2)         Within 10 business days after receiving the interconnection request, the EDC shall inform the applicant as to whether the interconnection request is complete.  If the request is incomplete, the EDC shall specify what materials are missing and the applicant has 10 business days to provide the missing information, or the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.

 

3)         After an interconnection request is deemed complete, the EDC shall assign a queue position to it based upon the date the interconnection request is determined to be complete.  The EDC shall then inform the applicant of its queue position.

 

4)         If, after determining that the interconnection request is complete, the EDC determines that it needs additional information to evaluate the DER facility's adverse system impact, it shall request this information.  The EDC may not restart the review process or alter the applicant's queue position because it requires the additional information.  The EDC can extend the time to finish its evaluation only to the extent of the delay is required for receipt of the additional information.  If the applicant does not provide this additional information within 15 business days, the EDC may deem the interconnection request withdrawn.

 

5)         Interconnection requests meeting the requirements set forth in Section 466.80(c)(1) for non-exporting DER facilities interconnecting to an area network shall be presumed to be appropriate for interconnection.  The EDC shall process the interconnection request to area networks using the following procedures:

 

A)        The EDC shall evaluate the interconnection request under Level 2 interconnection review procedures as set forth in Section 466.100(a) except that the EDC has 25 business days to evaluate the interconnection request against the screens to determine whether interconnecting the DER facility to the EDC's area network has any potential adverse system impacts.  In applying the Level 2 screens set forth in Section 466.100(a) for projects on area networks, the EDC may evaluate the proposed DER facility using nameplate capacity and not the export capacity for screens 1 and 7 if it determines that is appropriate.

 

B)        If the Level 2 screens for area networks identify potential adverse system impacts, the EDC may determine, at its sole discretion, that it is inappropriate for the DER facility to interconnect to the area network under Level 3 review, and the interconnection request is denied.  The applicant may submit a new interconnection request for consideration under Level 4 procedures at the queue position assigned to the Level 3 interconnection request, if the new interconnection request is made within 15 business days after notification that the current application is denied.

 

6)         For interconnection requests that meet the requirements of Section 466.80(c)(2) for non-exporting DER facilities interconnecting to a radial distribution circuit, the EDC shall evaluate the interconnection request under the Level 2 expedited review in Section 466.100(a).

 

b)         For a DER facility that satisfies the criteria in Section 466.110(a)(5) or (a)(6), the EDC shall approve the interconnection request and provide a standard interconnection agreement (see Appendix D) for the applicant to sign within the following timeframes:

 

1)         If the proposed interconnection requires no construction of facilities by the EDC on its own system, the interconnection agreement shall be provided within 5 business days after the notification of Level 3 review results.

 

2)         If the proposed interconnection requires only minor system modifications, the EDC shall notify the applicant of that requirement when it provides the Level 3 results. The applicant must inform the EDC if the applicant elects to continue the application and pay the fee specified in the EDC's tariff. If the applicant makes such an election, the EDC shall provide the interconnection agreement, along with a non-binding good faith cost estimate and construction schedule for those upgrades, to the applicant within 30 business days after the EDC receives such an election and the payment of the fee.

 

3)         If the proposed interconnection requires more than minor system modifications, the EDC shall notify the applicant of that requirement when it provides the Level 3 results. The applicant must inform the EDC if the applicant elects to proceed with the interconnection. If the applicant makes such an election, the EDC may elect to:

 

A)        provide a standard DER interconnection agreement (see Appendix D), along with a non-binding good faith cost estimate and construction schedule for those upgrades within 45 business days after the EDC receives such an election and the applicant pays the fee specified in the EDC's tariff; or

 

B)        notify the applicant that an interconnection facilities study must be performed pursuant to Section 466.120(e)(3).  If the applicant elects to proceed with an interconnection facilities study, the EDC shall proceed with the interconnection facilities study according to the timeframes and process in Section 466.120(e)(3).

 

c)         Within 30 business days after receipt of the standard DER interconnection agreement, the applicant shall complete, sign and return the agreement to the EDC.  If the applicant does not sign the standard DER interconnection agreement within 30 business days, the request shall be deemed withdrawn, unless the applicant requests a 15 business day extension in writing. An initial request for extension may not be denied by the EDC.  After the standard DER interconnection agreement is signed by the parties, interconnection of the DER facility shall proceed according to any milestones agreed to by the parties in the standard DER interconnection agreement.

 

d)         The DER facility is not permitted to operate until:

 

1)         All requirements in the interconnection agreement are satisfied;

 

2)         The DER facility is approved by the electric code officials with jurisdiction over the DER facility;

 

3)         The applicant provides a certificate of completion (see Appendix B) to the EDC; and

 

4)         The witness test is successfully completed, if required by the EDC or if the witness test is waived according to Article 2.1.1 of Appendix D.

 

e)         If the DER facility is not approved under a Level 3 review, the EDC shall provide the applicant with written notification explaining its reasons for denying the interconnection request.  The applicant may submit a new interconnection request for consideration under a Level 4 interconnection review.  The queue position assigned to the Level 3 interconnection request shall be retained, provided that the new interconnection request is made within 15 business days after notification that the current interconnection request is denied.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.120 Level 4 Review

 

An EDC shall use the Level 4 study review procedures for an interconnection request that meets the criteria in Section 466.80(d).

 

a)         The applicant submits an interconnection request using the appropriate form, along with the Level 4 application fee (see Appendix C).

 

b)         Within 10 business days after receipt of an interconnection request, the EDC shall notify the applicant whether the request is complete.  When the interconnection request is not complete, the EDC shall provide the applicant with a written list detailing the information required to complete the interconnection request.  The applicant has 10 business days to provide the required information or the interconnection request is considered withdrawn.  The parties may agree to extend the time for receipt of the additional information.  The interconnection request is deemed complete when the applicant has provided the required information or when the parties have agreed that the applicant may provide additional information later and the interconnection request is ready to be studied.

 

c)         After an interconnection request is deemed complete, the EDC shall assign a queue position to it based upon the date the interconnection request is determined to be complete.  When assigning a queue position, an EDC may consider whether there are any other interconnection projects on the same distribution circuit.  If there are other interconnection projects on the same distribution circuit, the EDC may consider them together.  If an EDC assigns a queue position based on the existence of interconnection projects on the same distribution circuit, the EDC shall notify the applicant of that fact when it assigns the queue position.  The queue position of an interconnection request is used to determine the cost responsibility for the facilities necessary to accommodate the interconnection.  The EDC shall notify the applicant as to its position in the queue.  If the interconnection request is subsequently amended due to a material modification, queue position is determined under Section 466.125 Material Modifications.

 

d)         After the interconnection request has been assigned to the queue, the following procedures shall be followed in performing a Level 4 study review:

 

1)         By mutual agreement of the parties, the scoping meeting, interconnection feasibility study, interconnection impact study, or interconnection facilities study provided for in a Level 4 review and discussed in this Section may be waived or combined.  The applicant may unilaterally combine the interconnection feasibility study and the interconnection system impact study. Notwithstanding the waiver of any studies, any such waiver does not preclude further analysis and study by the EDC. The applicant retains the obligation to pay all resultant costs of required upgrades.

 

2)         If agreed to by the parties, a scoping meeting on a mutually agreed upon date and time shall be held, after the EDC has notified the applicant that the Level 4 interconnection request is deemed complete, or the applicant has requested that its interconnection request proceed under Level 4 review after failing the requirements of a Level 2 or Level 3 review.  The meeting's purpose is to review the interconnection request, existing studies relevant to the interconnection request, and the results of the  Level 2 or Level 3 screening criteria.

 

3)         When the parties agree that an interconnection feasibility study shall be performed, the EDC shall provide to the applicant, no later than 10 business days after the receipt of a complete interconnection request or, if held, the scoping meeting, an interconnection feasibility study agreement (see Appendix E), including an outline of the scope of the study and a non-binding estimate of the cost to perform the study.  If the applicant does not sign and return the study agreement within 15 business days, the application shall be deemed withdrawn.

 

4)         When the parties agree that an interconnection feasibility study is not required, the EDC shall provide to the applicant, no later than 10 business days after the receipt of a complete interconnection request or, if held, the scoping meeting, an interconnection system impact study agreement (see Appendix F), including an outline of the scope of the study and a non-binding estimate of the cost to perform the study.  If the applicant does not sign and return the study agreement within 15 business days, the application shall be deemed withdrawn.

 

5)         If the parties agree that neither an interconnection feasibility study nor a system impact study is required, the EDC shall provide to the applicant, no later than 10 business days after receipt of a complete interconnection request or, if held, the scoping meeting, an interconnection facilities study agreement (see Appendix G) including an outline of the scope of the study and an estimate of the cost to perform the study.  If the applicant does not sign and return the study agreement within 15 business days, the application shall be deemed withdrawn.

 

6)         Contingent upgrades that are identified during the evaluation of the interconnection request shall be documented in the applicable study reports and the interconnection agreement. For each contingent upgrade, when available, the EDC shall provide non-binding estimated interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades costs (if any) and estimated construction schedule upon request of the applicant.

 

e)         The following guidelines shall govern all required interconnection studies:

 

1)         Unless waived by an applicant, an interconnection feasibility study shall include any necessary analyses for identifying a potential adverse system impact to the EDC's electric distribution system that would result from the interconnection at the applicant's proposed point of interconnection from among the following:

 

A)        Initial identification of any circuit breaker short circuit capability limits exceeded because of the interconnection.

 

B)        Initial identification of any thermal overload or voltage limit violations resulting from the interconnection.

 

C)        Initial review of grounding requirements, including review per IEEE C62.92.6 for inverter-based DER when additional grounding equipment is considered, and system protection.

 

D)        Description and non-binding estimated cost and, if available, construction schedule of facilities required to interconnect the DER facility to the EDC's electric distribution system in a safe and reliable manner, including identification of potential increased expenses due to location, distribution system assets, or other relevant factors. Cost estimates provided in each instance must be itemized in line item format and must break down costs by equipment, labor, and other cost categories. The cost estimates must also provide the component parts for direct, indirect, and other identified cost categories.

 

E)        If an applicant requests that the interconnection feasibility study evaluate multiple potential points of interconnection, additional evaluations may be required.  Additional evaluations shall be paid for by the applicant.

 

F)         An interconnection system impact study is not required when the interconnection feasibility study concludes that there is no adverse system impact, or when the study identifies an adverse system impact, but the EDC is able to identify a remedy without the need for an interconnection system impact study.

 

G)        A study results meeting will be held within 10 business days after study completion if requested by the applicant. The study results meeting will be attended by technical representatives of the EDC and the applicant.  The study results meeting shall not relieve the applicant from its obligations, nor does it toll the clock for the applicant, to take the actions required by the rules at that point in the Level 4 review.

 

H)        Each party may require that the standard form of interconnection feasibility study agreement approved by the Commission be used.  If both parties agree, however, an alternative form can be used.

 

2)         An interconnection system impact study evaluates the impact of the proposed interconnection on both the safety and reliability of the EDC's electric distribution system.  The study identifies and details the system impacts that interconnecting the DER facility to the distribution system has if there are no system modifications.  It focuses on the potential or actual adverse system impacts identified in the interconnection feasibility study, including those that were identified in the scoping meeting.  The study shall consider all other DER facilities that, on the date the interconnection system impact study is commenced, are directly interconnected with the EDC's system, have a pending higher queue position to interconnect to the electric distribution system, or have signed an interconnection agreement.

 

A)        A distribution interconnection system impact study shall be performed when a potential distribution system adverse system impact is identified in the interconnection feasibility study.  The EDC shall send the applicant an interconnection system impact study agreement within 10 business days after transmittal of the interconnection feasibility study report.  The agreement shall include an outline of the scope of the study and a non-binding estimate of the cost to perform the study.  The system impact study shall take into account the proposed DER facility's design and operating characteristics and study the project according to how the project is proposed to be operated. The applicant must provide adequate design assurance in accordance with Section 466.75, through demonstration of devices tested to national standards, or approved by the EDC. The export capacity shall be used except when assessing fault current contribution, in which case the nameplate rating is appropriate (unless assurance, approved by the EDC, has been provided showing fault currents are not directly related to nameplate rating and are controlled by some means).  The impact study shall include any pertinent elements, assumptions, and thresholds identified in the Impact Study Template in Appendix F.

 

B)        The final interconnection system impact study shall provide the following:

 

i)          The underlying assumptions of the study;

 

ii)         A summary of the analyses;

 

iii)        The results of the analyses, including detailed information on any impacts identified, the drivers and reasons for those impacts, including load, voltage, thermal and other limitations, as well as the boundaries of the impacts, to the extent possible;

 

iv)        A list of any potential impediments to providing the requested interconnection service and information regarding technical thresholds that drive modifications;

 

v)         Required distribution upgrades;

 

vi)        A non-binding estimate of cost and time to construct any required distribution upgrades. Those cost estimates shall provide the component parts for direct, indirect, and other identified cost categories.  Cost estimates must be itemized and must break down costs by equipment, labor, overhead and other cost categories; and

 

vii)       If the cost estimate exceeds 150% of the estimated cost set forth in the feasibility study, a written itemization, by equipment, labor, overhead and other cost categories, of the component parts that increased in cost and a detailed explanation for the cost increase.

 

C)        A study results meeting will be held within 10 business days after study completion if requested by the applicant.  The study results meeting shall not relieve the applicant from its obligations, nor does it toll the clock for the applicant, to take the actions required by the Rules at that point in the Level 4 review.

 

D)        The parties may use an interconnection impact study agreement as approved by the Commission. If both parties agree, however, an alternative form can be used.

 

3)         Unless waived by the applicant, the interconnection facilities study shall be conducted as follows:

 

A)        The interconnection facilities study agreement, which includes an outline of the scope of the study and a non-binding estimate of the cost to perform the study, shall be transmitted to the applicant within the later of 10 business days after completion of the interconnection system impact study or 5 business days after the study results meeting, if performed, or within 10 business days after the applicant notifies the EDC pursuant to Section 466.90(b)(4)(C), Section 466.100(c)(3), or Section 466.110(b)(3).

 

B)        The interconnection facilities study shall estimate the cost of the equipment, engineering, procurement and construction work, including overheads, needed to implement the conclusions of the interconnection feasibility study and the interconnection system impact study.

 

i)          Non-binding cost estimates must be itemized and must break down costs by equipment, labor, overhead, and other cost categories. These cost estimates must also provide the component parts for direct, indirect, and other identified cost categories; and

 

ii)         If the cost estimate exceeds the lesser of 150% of the estimated cost set forth in the feasibility study or 125% of the estimated cost set forth in the system impact study, a written itemization, by equipment, labor, overhead and other cost categories, of the component parts that increased in cost and a detailed explanation for the cost increase.

 

C)        The interconnection facilities study shall identify:

 

i)          The electrical switching configuration of the equipment, including transformer, switchgear, meters and other station equipment;

 

ii)         The nature and estimated cost of all the EDC's interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades necessary to accomplish the interconnection; and

 

iii)        An estimate for the time required to complete the construction and installation of the facilities.

 

D)        The EDC may agree to permit an applicant to separately arrange for a qualified third party to design and construct the required interconnection facilities.  In such a case:

 

i)          The applicant shall utilize EDC-approved engineering and construction contractors for the design and construction of the interconnection facilities, which shall be built in accordance with the EDC’s specifications;

 

ii)         Such facilities shall be limited to interconnection facilities serving only the applicant’s DER facility;

 

iii)        The applicant shall not include work on existing energized EDC electric distribution facilities, or in energized EDC substations;

 

iv)        The applicant must comply with security and confidentiality requirements before the EDC provides all relevant information and required specifications to the applicant to permit the applicant to obtain an independent design and cost estimate for the facilities; and

 

v)         The EDC shall maintain the right to inspect, test, or witness test all facilities designed and constructed under the provisions of this subsection and shall be allowed to recover the associate costs it incurs from the applicant.

 

E)        A study results meeting will be held within 10 business days after study completion unless parties mutually agree to waive the meeting.  The study results meeting shall not relieve the applicant from its obligations, nor does it toll the clock for the applicant, to take the actions required by the rules at point in the Level 4 review.

 

F)         Upon completion of the interconnection facilities study, and after the applicant agrees to pay for the interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades identified in the interconnection facilities study, the EDC shall provide a standard DER interconnection agreement (see Appendix D) for the applicant to sign the day the EDC makes its determination.

 

G)        In the event that distribution upgrades due to the impact of the interconnection request are identified in the impact study that shall be added only in the event that higher-queued customers not yet interconnected eventually complete and interconnect their generation facilities, the applicant may elect to interconnect without paying for such upgrades at the time of the interconnection, provided that it agrees to pay for such upgrades at the time the higher-queued customer is ready to interconnect.  If the applicant does not pay for such upgrades at that time, the EDC shall require the applicant to immediately disconnect its distribution generation facility to accommodate the higher-queued customer.

 

H)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing prohibits two or more joint applicants directly adjacent in the interconnection queue on a feeder or substation from jointly informing the EDC of a request for a group study or estimate.  That notice shall be provided on a form approved by the Commission that, at minimum, authorizes a group study with costs for upgrades and the facilities study to be shared as determined by the joint applicants and waives confidentiality protections only to the extent necessary to generate and circulate that group study.  For the purposes of this subsection, a "group study" is an impact study or facilities study created and issued under subsection (e)(2) or (e)(3) (as applicable) that studies the least-cost upgrades to interconnect all of the joint applicants' facilities.

 

I)         The parties shall use an interconnection facilities study agreement approved by the Commission.  If both parties agree, however, an alternative form can be used.

 

4)         All studies analyzing or projecting load flow or system impact shall take into account the impact of storage, operating profile (including voluntary operational restrictions), impact and timing of load flow, or other parameters provided by the applicant that would impact timing or volume of load flow. Any parameters shall be reflected in Attachment 2 to the interconnection agreement.  When performing feasibility studies, system impact studies, and facility studies for a DER facility, operating characteristics (including maximum export and import capacity) as identified in the application by the applicant shall be utilized, except that fault current contribution shall be evaluated based on aggregate AC nameplate rating. The utility's technical review shall determine whether the proposed facility, operating per the characteristics identified in the application and with any necessary controls, can be safely and reliably interconnected to the utility's distribution system.

 

f)         When an EDC determines because of the studies conducted under a Level 4 review that it is appropriate to interconnect the DER facility, the EDC shall provide the applicant with a standard DER interconnection agreement.  If the interconnection request is denied, the EDC shall provide the applicant with a written explanation as to its reasons for denying interconnection. If denied, the interconnection request does not retain its position in the queue.

 

g)         Within 30 business days after receipt of the standard DER interconnection agreement, the applicant shall provide all necessary information required of the applicant by the agreement, and the EDC shall develop all other information required of the EDC by the agreement.  After completing the agreement with the additional information, the applicant shall sign and return the agreement to the EDC.  If the applicant does not sign and return the agreement within 30 business days after its completion, the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn, unless the applicant requests in writing to have the deadline extended by no more than 15 business days.  The EDC shall not deny an initial request for extension.  If the applicant does not sign the agreement after the 15-business-day extension, the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.  The EDC shall return a fully executed DER interconnection agreement within 10 business days of receipt of the signed agreement from the applicant.  If withdrawn, the interconnection request does not retain its position in the queue. When construction is required, the interconnection of the DER facility shall proceed according to milestones agreed to by the parties in the standard DER interconnection agreement.

 

h)         The DER facility is not permitted to operate until:

 

1)         The requirements of the interconnection agreement are satisfied;

 

2)         The DER facility is approved by electric code officials with jurisdiction over the interconnection;

 

3)         The applicant provides a certificate of completion (see Appendix B) to the EDC.  Completion of local inspections may be designated on inspection forms used by local inspecting authorities; and

 

4)         The witness test is successfully completed if required by the EDC or if the witness test is waived according to Article 2.1.1 of Appendix D.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.125  Material Modifications

 

a)         At any time after an application is deemed complete, including during the pendency of tasks identified in Sections 466.90, 466.100, 466.110, or 466.120, the applicant or the EDC may identify modifications to the proposed DER facility.  An existing interconnected DER facility may also propose modifications. The applicant shall submit to the EDC, in writing, all proposed modifications to any information provided in the interconnection request or interconnection agreement for existing DER facilities. Neither the applicant nor the EDC may unilaterally modify the application or interconnection agreement.

 

b)         Within 10 business days after receipt of a proposed modification, the EDC shall notify the applicant whether a proposed modification to either an application or an existing DER facility constitutes a material modification.

 

c)         Material Modification Process for Proposed DER

 

1)         For proposed generating facilities with an active interconnection request, a material modification shall include, but is not limited to, a modification of the interconnection request that:

 

A)        changes the physical location of the point of interconnection such that it is likely to affect the scope of upgrades required to interconnect the DER;

 

B)        increases the export capacity or extends the operating profile of the DER facility;

 

C)        adds or removes energy storage or changes the energy storage operating characteristic;

 

D)        changes or replaces generating equipment (e.g., generators, inverters, transformers, relaying, controls) and substitutes with equipment that is not a like-kind modification;

 

E)        changes transformer connections or grounding; or

 

F)         changes to a certified inverter with different specifications or different inverter control settings or configuration.

 

2)         If the proposed modification is determined to be a material modification, then the EDC shall notify the applicant in writing that the applicant may elect to either:

 

A)        withdraw the proposed modification; or

 

B)        withdraw the interconnection request and proceed with a new interconnection request for the modification.

 

3)         The applicant shall provide its election in writing to the EDC within 10 business days after being provided the material modification determination results. If the applicant does not provide its election, the proposed modification shall be deemed withdrawn and the queue position of the withdrawn application will be forfeited. If the applicant and EDC do not agree, either party may initiate dispute resolution pursuant to Section 466.130.

 

d)         A modification that is not determined to be material may still require evaluation and acceptance by the EDC. The applicant is obligated to pay any necessary study costs of the evaluation. The EDC will notify the applicant of any additional fees or information that may be required to recommence the interconnection review process and restudy the application in order to evaluate the modification. The applicant shall have 10 business days to provide any requested information or required fees. The evaluation will be performed within 15 business days after the EDC receives the required fees or information from the applicant. If the proposed modification is determined not to be a material modification, then the EDC shall conduct the technical review within the remaining time allotted by subsection (b) and an additional 10 business days if needed by the EDC. The EDC shall notify the applicant in writing that the modification has been accepted, and that the applicant shall retain its eligibility for interconnection and maintain its position in the interconnection queue. A modification that is not determined to be material does not require a new interconnection request.

 

e)         Material Modification Process for Existing Interconnected DER

 

1)         For existing interconnected DER facilities with an active interconnection request and have received a certificate of completion, a material modification shall include, but is not limited to, a modification of the interconnection request that:

 

A)        changes the physical location of the point of interconnection in a manner likely to have an impact on technical review;

 

B)        changes the net power flow injection to the feeder, changes the nameplate capacity, or changes the operating characteristics of the DER facility;

 

C)        adds or removes energy storage or changes the energy storage operating characteristics;

 

D)        changes or replaces generating equipment (e.g., generators, inverters, transformers, relaying, controls), and substitutes equipment that is not a like-kind modification;

 

E)        changes transformer connections or grounding; and/or

 

F)         changes to a certified inverter with different specifications or different inverter control settings or configuration.

 

2)         The EDC shall notify the applicant in writing that the applicant may elect to either:

 

A)        withdraw the proposed modification; or

 

B)        submit a new interconnection request for modification.

 

3)         The applicant shall provide its election in writing to the EDC within 10 business days after being provided the material modification determination results.  If the applicant does not provide its election, the proposed modification shall be deemed withdrawn and the modification to the existing interconnected DER facility shall not be allowed. If the applicant and EDC do not agree, either party may initiate dispute resolution pursuant to Section 466.130.

 

4)         A modification that is not determined to be material may still require evaluation and acceptance by the EDC, which includes but is not limited to witness testing and setting verifications. The interconnection customer is obligated to pay any applicable fees associated with the EDC’s evaluation of the proposed modification.  The EDC will notify the interconnection customer of any additional fees and/or information that may be required to evaluate the proposed modification within five business days of providing the material modification determination results. The interconnection customer shall have 10 business days to provide any requested information and/or required fees. If the proposed modification is determined not to be a material modification, then the EDC shall notify the interconnection customer in writing within 10 business days that the modification has been accepted, contingent upon witness testing, where applicable.

 

(Source:  Added at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.130  Disputes

 

a)         It is the policy of the Commission that applicants for interconnection and EDCs should, to the maximum extent possible, endeavor to resolve interconnection disputes through negotiation and without resorting to the processes of the Commission.  A party shall attempt to resolve all disputes regarding interconnection promptly and in a good faith manner.  A party shall provide prompt written notice of the existence of the dispute, including sufficient detail to identify the scope of the dispute, to the other party in order to attempt to resolve the dispute in a good faith manner.

 

b)         An informal meeting between the parties shall be held within 10 business days after receipt of the written notice.  Persons with decision-making authority from each party shall attend such meeting.  In the event said dispute involves technical issues, persons with sufficient technical expertise and familiarity with the issue in dispute from each Party shall also attend the informal meeting.  If the parties agree, such a meeting may be conducted by teleconference.  The informal process between the parties shall extend 30 days after the receipt of written notice, after which the dispute is deemed resolved and the timeframes for decisions within the interconnection process resume, unless one of the parties seeks resolution through non-binding arbitration procedures described in subsection (c) or files a formal complaint at the Commission prior to the end of the 30-day period.  If the negotiations do not resolve the dispute within 10 business days after commencing, either party may proceed to subsection (c) upon providing written notice to the other party.

 

c)         Ombudsman

 

1)         If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through an informal meeting or meetings, either party may submit the interconnection dispute to an Ombudsman for non-binding arbitration. The party electing arbitration shall notify the other party of the request in writing.

 

2)         For purposes of this Section, the Ombudsman, as that term in used in Section 16-107.5(h-5)(2) of the Act for that dispute may be:

 

A)        the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or an individual arbitrator or team of arbitrators selected by the parties pursuant to AAA rules;

 

B)        Commission employees designated on the Commission's website, as available; or

 

C)        a third party selected by the parties.

 

3)         In designating one or more of its employees as a potential Ombudsman for a dispute, the Commission may identify an hourly fee for that individual's time spent on arbitration; the Commission shall invoice and collect a fee equal to the hourly rate multiplied by hours spent on the arbitration in equal shares from the parties to the arbitration.

 

4)         Each party shall bear its own fees, costs, and expenses and an equal share of the expenses of the non-binding arbitration.

 

5)         The non-binding arbitration process is limited to 60 days unless the parties and the Ombudsman agree to a longer period.

 

d)         Within 10 days after the conclusion of the procedures in subsection (c), either party may initiate a formal complaint with the Commission and ask for an expedited resolution of the dispute. If the complaint seeks expedited resolution, any written recommendation of the Ombudsman shall be appended to the complaint.  If a party fails to file a formal complaint within this 10-day timeframe, it waives its right to obtain relief from the Commission and the dispute is deemed resolved.

 

e)         Pursuit of dispute resolution shall not affect an interconnection applicant with regard to consideration of an interconnection request or an interconnection applicant's position in the EDC's interconnection queue of any pending application or interconnection agreement.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.140  Records

 

a)         An EDC shall maintain records specified in this subsection for a minimum of five years, and shall make publicly available:

 

1)         The total number of and the nameplate and export capacity of the completed interconnection requests received, studied, approved and installed, approved and withdrawn, and denied under Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 reviews; and

 

2)         The fuel type, total number and the nameplate and export capacity of DER facilities approved.

 

b)         An EDC shall provide a public report to the Commission containing the information required in subsection (a) within 90 calendar days after the close of each calendar year.  An electronic version, in electronically searchable format in a legible 12-point font size in PDF shall be delivered to the Commission's offices on CDs or DVDs or filed electronically with the Chief Clerk.

 

c)         Each EDC shall retain copies of studies it performs to determine the feasibility of, system impacts of, or facilities required by the interconnection of any DER facility.  The EDC shall provide the applicant copies of any interconnection studies performed in analyzing the applicant's interconnection request upon applicant request, including all information used by the EDC in completing the studies and determining the estimated interconnection cost.  Each EDC shall provide the Commission, upon request, copies of any interconnection studies performed in analyzing any interconnection request, including all information used by the EDC in completing the studies and determining the estimated interconnection costs.

 

d)         Each EDC shall maintain, and provide upon request to the Commission and any interconnection customer or applicant (see Section 466.50), a written set of standards by which the EDC evaluates the scope of upgrades for an interconnection and methodology for determining cost estimates required by this Part. To the extent the documentation contains confidential or proprietary information, the EDC shall clearly mark that information and may request that interconnection customer or applicant execute a confidentiality agreement prior to receiving or reviewing the documentation.

 

e)         Each EDC serving more than 500,000 customers shall make available on its website hosting capacity analysis results, including mapping and GIS capability.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

Section 466.APPENDIX A   Level 1 Application and Contract

 

Illinois Standard Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection

Level 1

Interconnection Request Application Form and

Conditional Agreement to Interconnect

(Lab-Certified Inverter-Based Distributed Energy Resources Facilities 25 kW and Smaller)

 

An application fee of $50.00 must be submitted with the application.

 

Interconnection Applicant Contact Information

 

Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone (Daytime):

(Evening):

Facsimile Number:

E-Mail Address:

 

 

Alternate Contact Information (if different from Applicant)

 

Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone (Daytime):

(Evening):

Facsimile Number:

E-Mail Address:

 

 

Equipment Contractor

 

Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone (Daytime):

(Evening):

Facsimile Number:

E-Mail Address:

 

 

Electrical Contractor (if Different from Equipment Contractor):

 

Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone (Daytime):

(Evening):

Facsimile Number:

E-Mail Address:

License number:

Active License?

Yes

No

 

 

Is the Interconnection Customer requesting Net Metering in accordance with 83 Ill. Adm. Code 465?

 

Yes  No

 

 

Distributed Energy Resources Facility ("Facility") Information

 

Facility Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Electric Distribution Company (EDC) serving Facility site:

Electric Supplier (if different from EDC):

If existing EDC electric service exists at point of interconnection:

Account Number of site:

EDC billing meter ID

Inverter Manufacturer:

Model:

Is the inverter lab-certified as that term is defined in the Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard? Yes  No

(If yes, attach manufacturer's technical specifications and label information from a nationally recognized testing laboratory.)

Generation Facility Nameplate Rating:

(kW)

(kVA)

(AC Volts)

Total Facility Nameplate Capacity:

(kW)

(kVA)

Prime Mover:

Photovoltaic

Reciprocating Engine

Fuel Cell

Turbine

Other

Energy Source:

Solar

Wind

Hydro

Diesel

Storage

Combination

Natural Gas

Fuel Oil

Other

Commissioning Date:

(If the Commissioning Date changes, the interconnection customer must inform the EDC as soon as it is aware of the changed date.)

 

 

Limited Export and Non-Export Controls Information

 

Manufacturer:
Model Number:					M
Limited Export or Non-Export?				Limited Export				Non-Export
Control Type:		Reverse Power Protection								Minimum Power Protection
		Relative Distributed Energy Resource Rating								Configured Power Rating
		Limited Export Power Control Systems								Limited Export using mutually agreed-upon means
		Directional Power Protection
Export Capacity Value (in kW):
Control Power Setting:
Control Power Time Delay (if any):

 

 

Battery Storage Facility Information (If Applicable)

 

Do the batteries share an inverter with a renewable energy system?								☐ Yes	☐ No
Does the applicant intend to have the batteries charged by the distribution grid?										☐ Yes	☐ No
System Manufacturer:
Model:
Battery Type:
Battery Charge/Discharge Rating (kW AC):
Maximum Battery Charge/Discharge Rate (kW AC per second):
Battery Energy Capacity (kWh):
Power Factor Settings Range:

 

Battery Storage Inverter Information

 

Energy System Manufacturer:

Model:

Type: ☐ Forced   ☐ Commutated

 

Line Commutated Rated Output

Watts:

Volts:

Efficiency:

____ %

Power Factor:

____ %

 

Inverter IEEE 1547 / UL 1741 Listed:

☐ Yes

☐ No

Number of Inverters:

Total Capacity:

kW

DC Source / Prime Mover:

- Rating:

kW Rating:

kVA Rated Voltage:

Volts

Open Circuit Voltage (If Applicable):

Volts

Rated Current:

Amps

 

Battery Operational Information

 

Backup – allows for partial or whole home transition to off-grid during a grid outage.  ☐ Yes ☐ No

 

Solar Self-Powered – the battery will charge from the renewable energy source during normal operation and discharge to serve loads behind your meter.           ☐ Yes  ☐ No

 

Solar Non-Export – limits the export of energy to the grid to zero for both the battery and inverter, even if the battery system is fully charged and there is excess renewable source energy. ☐ Yes  ☐ No

 

Time-Based Control (sometimes called time-of-use or TOU mode) – the battery charges during off-peak hours and discharges to serve onsite loads during on-peak hours.   ☐ Yes  ☐ No

 

Describe any other intended operation of the battery:

 

Insurance Disclosure

 

The attached terms and conditions contain provisions related to liability and indemnification, and should be carefully considered by the interconnection customer.  The interconnection customer shall carry general liability insurance coverage, such as, but not limited to, homeowner's insurance.  Whenever possible, the interconnection customer shall name the EDC as an additional insured on its homeowner's insurance policy, or similar policy covering general liability.

 

 

Customer Signature

 

I hereby certify that:  (1) I have read and understand the terms and conditions which are attached hereto by reference;  (2) I hereby agree to comply with the attached terms and conditions; and (3) to the best of my knowledge, all of the information provided in this application request form is complete and true.

 

Applicant Signature:
Title:			Date:

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

 

Conditional Agreement to Interconnect Distributed Energy Resources Facility

 

Receipt of the application fee is acknowledged and, by its signature below, the EDC has determined the interconnection request is complete. Interconnection of the distributed energy resources facility is conditionally approved contingent upon the attached terms and conditions of this Agreement, the return of the attached Certificate of Completion, duly executed verification of electrical inspection and successful witness test.

 

EDC Signature:			Date:
Name:			Title:

Terms and Conditions for Interconnection

 

1)         Construction of the Distributed Energy Resources Facility.  The interconnection customer may proceed to construct (including operational testing not to exceed 2 hours) the distributed energy resources (DER) facility, once the conditional Agreement to interconnect a DER facility has been signed by the EDC.

 

2)         Final Interconnection and Operation.  The interconnection customer may operate the DER facility and interconnect with the EDC's electric distribution system after all of the following have occurred:

 

a)         Electrical Inspection:  Upon completing construction, the interconnection customer shall cause the DER facility to be inspected by the local electrical inspection authority, who shall establish that the DER facility meets local code requirements.

 

b)         Certificate of Completion:  The interconnection customer shall provide the EDC with a copy of the Certificate of Completion with all relevant and necessary information fully completed by the interconnection customer, as well as an inspection form from the local electrical inspection authority demonstrating that the DER facility passed inspection.

 

c)         The EDC has completed its witness test as per the following:

 

i)          Within 10 business days of the commissioning date, the EDC must, upon reasonable notice and at a mutually convenient time, conduct a witness test of the DER facility to ensure that all equipment has been appropriately installed and that all electrical connections have been made in accordance with the applicable codes.

 

ii)         If the EDC does not perform the witness test within the 10 business days after the commissioning date or such other time as is mutually agreed to by the Parties, the witness test is deemed waived unless the EDC cannot do so for good cause.  In these cases, upon EDC request, the interconnection customer shall agree to another date for the test within 10 business days after the original scheduled date.

 

3)         IEEE 1547.  The DER facility shall be installed, operated and tested in accordance with the requirements of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), 3 Park Avenue New York, NY 10016-5997, Standard 1547 (2003) "Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems."

 

4)         Access.  The EDC shall have direct, unabated access to the disconnect switch and metering equipment of the DER facility at all times.  The EDC shall provide 5 business days' notice to the customer prior to using its right of access except in emergencies.

 

5)         Metering.  Any required metering shall be installed pursuant to Illinois Commerce Commission approved tariffs.

 

6)         Disconnection.  The EDC may disconnect the DER facility upon any of the following conditions, but must reconnect the DER facility once the condition is cured:

 

a)         For scheduled outages, provided that the DER facility is treated in the same manner as EDC's load customers;

 

b)         For unscheduled outages or emergency conditions;

 

c)         If the DER facility does not operate in the manner consistent with this Agreement;

 

d)         Improper installation or failure to pass the witness test;

 

e)         If the DER facility is creating a safety, reliability or a power quality problem; or

 

f)         The interconnection equipment used by the DER facility is de-listed by the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory that provided the listing at the time the interconnection was approved.

 

7)         Indemnification.  The interconnection customer shall indemnify and defend the EDC and the EDC's directors, officers, employees, and agents from all damages and expenses resulting from any third party claim arising out of or based upon the interconnection customer's (a) negligence or willful misconduct or (b) breach of this Agreement.  The EDC shall indemnify and defend the interconnection customer and the interconnection customer's directors, officers, employees, and agents from all damages and expenses resulting from a third party claim arising out of or based upon the EDC's (a) negligence or willful misconduct or (b) breach of this Agreement.

 

8)         Insurance.  The interconnection customer shall provide the EDC with proof that it has a current homeowner's insurance policy, or other general liability policy, and, when possible, the interconnection customer shall name the EDC as an additional insured on its homeowner's insurance policy, or similar policy covering general liability.

 

9)         Limitation of Liability.  Each Party's liability to the other Party for any loss, cost, claim, injury, liability, or expense, including reasonable attorney's fees, relating to or arising from any act or omission in its performance of this Agreement, shall be limited to the amount of direct damage actually incurred.  In no event shall either Party be liable to the other Party for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind whatsoever.

 

10)       Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated under the following conditions:

 

a)         By interconnection customer − The interconnection customer may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the EDC.  If the interconnection customer ceases operation of the DER facility, the interconnection customer must notify the EDC

 

b)         By the EDC − The EDC may terminate this Agreement if the interconnection customer fails to remedy a violation of terms of this Agreement within 30 calendar days after notice, or such other date as may be mutually agreed to prior to the expiration of the 30 calendar day remedy period.  The termination date may be no less than 30 calendar days after the interconnection customer receives notice of its violation from the EDC.

 

11)       Modification of Distributed Energy Resources Facility.  The interconnection customer must receive written authorization from the EDC before making any changes to the DER facility that could affect the EDC's distribution system.  If the interconnection customer makes such modifications without the EDC's prior written authorization, the EDC shall have the right to disconnect the DER facility.

 

12)       Permanent Disconnection.  In the event the Agreement is terminated, the EDC shall have the right to disconnect its facilities or direct the interconnection customer to disconnect its DER facility.

 

13)       Disputes.  Each Party agrees to attempt to resolve all disputes regarding the provisions of this Agreement that cannot be resolved between the two Parties pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions found in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 466.130.

 

14)       Governing Law, Regulatory Authority, and Rules.  The validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and each of its provisions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to affect any other agreement between the EDC and the interconnection customer. 

 

15)       Survival Rights.  This Agreement shall remain in effect after termination to the extent necessary to allow or require either Party to fulfill rights or obligations that arose under the Agreement.

 

16)       Assignment/Transfer of Ownership of the Distributed Energy Resources Facility.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the transfer of ownership of the DER facility to a new owner unless the transferring owner assigns the Agreement to the new owner, the new owner agrees in writing to the terms of this Agreement, and the transferring owner so notifies the EDC in writing prior to the transfer of ownership. 

 

17)       Definitions.  Any term used herein and not defined shall have the same meaning as the defined terms used in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 466 (the Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard).

 

18)       Notice.  The Parties may mutually agree to provide notices, demands, comments, or requests by electronic means such as e-mail.  Absent agreement to electronic communication, or unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, any written notice, demand, or request required or authorized in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed properly given if delivered in person, delivered by recognized national courier service, or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the person specified below:

 

If to Interconnection Customer:

 

Use the contact information provided in the interconnection customer's application.  The interconnection customer is responsible for notifying the EDC of any change in the contact party information, including change of ownership.

 

If to EDC:

 

Use the contact information provided below.  The EDC is responsible for notifying the interconnection customer of any change in the contact party information.

 

 

Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone (Daytime):

(Evening):

Facsimile Number:

E-Mail Address:

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

 

Section 466.APPENDIX B   Certificate of Completion

 

Certificate of Completion

(To be completed and returned to the EDC when installation is complete

and final electric inspector approval has been obtained[1])

 

 

Interconnection Customer Information

 

Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone (Daytime):

(Evening):

Facsimile Number:

E-Mail Address:

 

 

Installer

Check if owner-installed

Name:

Mailing Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Telephone (Daytime):

(Evening):

Facsimile Number:

E-Mail Address:

 

 

Final Electric Inspection and Interconnection Customer Signature

 

The distributed generation facility is complete and has been approved by the local electric inspector having jurisdiction.  A signed copy of the electric inspector's form indicating final approval is attached.  The interconnection customer acknowledges that it shall not operate the distributed generation facility until receipt of the final acceptance and approval by the EDC as provided below.

 

Signed:				Date:
		(Signature of interconnection customer)
Printed Name:

 

Check if copy of signed electric inspection form is attached

Check if copy of as built documents is attached (projects larger than 25 kW only)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Acceptance and Final Approval for Interconnection (for EDC use only)

 

The interconnection agreement is approved and the distributed generation facility is approved for interconnected operation upon the signing and return of this Certificate of Completion by EDC:

 

 

Electric Distribution Company waives Witness Test?  (Initial)				Yes	(____)	No		(____)
If not waived, date of successful Witness Test:				Passed: (Initial)
EDC Signature:				Date:
Printed Name:				Title:

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 862, effective January 20, 2017)

---

Section 466.APPENDIX C   Levels 2 to 4 Application

 

Level 2, Level 3 & Level 4

Interconnection Request Application Form

(Greater than 25 kW to 10 MVA or less)

 

 

Interconnection Customer Contact Information

 

Name:
Mailing Address:
City:						State:			Zip Code:
Telephone (Daytime):						(Evening):
Facsimile Number:						E-Mail Address:

 

Alternative Contact Information (if different from Customer Contact Information)
Name:
Mailing Address:
City:						State:			Zip Code:
Telephone (Daytime):						(Evening):
Facsimile Number:						E-Mail Address:

 

Facility Address (if different from above):
City:					State:					Zip Code:
Electric Distribution Company (EDC) Serving Facility Site:
Electric Supplier (if different from EDC):
Account Number of Facility Site (existing EDC customers):
Inverter Manufacturer:						Model:

 

 

Equipment Contractor

 

Name:
Mailing Address:
City:						State:			Zip Code:
Telephone (Daytime):						(Evening):
Facsimile Number:						E-Mail Address:

 

 

Electrical Contractor (if different from Equipment Contractor)

 

Name:
Mailing Address:
City:							State:			Zip Code:
Telephone (Daytime):							(Evening):
Facsimile Number:							E-Mail Address:
License Number:

 

 

Electric Service Information for Customer Facility Where Generator Will Be Interconnected

 

Capacity:				(Amps)			Voltage:				(Volts)
Type of Service:		Single-Phase						Three-Phase
If Three-Phase Transformer, Indicate Type:
Primary Winding			Wye		Delta
Secondary Winding			Wye		Delta
Transformer Size:						Impedance:

 

Intent of Generation

 

    Offset Load (Unit will operate in parallel, but will not export power to EDC)

 

    Net Meter (Unit will operate in parallel and will export power pursuant to Illinois Net Metering or other filed tariffs)

 

    Wholesale Market Transaction (Unit will operate in parallel and participate in PJM or MISO markets pursuant to a PJM Wholesale Market Participation Agreement or MISO equivalent) 

 

    Back-up Generation (Units that temporarily operate in parallel with the electric distribution system for more than 100 milliseconds)

 

Note:   Backup units that do not operate in parallel for more than 100 milliseconds do not need an interconnection agreement.

 

 

Generator & Prime Mover Information

 

ENERGY SOURCE (Hydro, Wind, Solar, Process Byproduct, Biomass, Oil, Natural Gas, Coal, Storage, etc.):
ENERGY CONVERTER TYPE (Wind Turbine, Photovoltaic Cell, Fuel Cell, Steam Turbine, etc.):
NAMEPLATE CAPACITY:  kW or  kVA	NUMBER OF UNITS:	TOTAL EXPORT CAPACITY:  kW or  kVA
GENERATOR TYPE (Check one):  Induction           Inverter           Synchronous           Other

 

 

Requested Procedure Under Which to Evaluate Interconnection Request¹

 

Please indicate below which review procedure applies to the interconnection request.  The review procedure used is subject to confirmation by the EDC.

 

  Level 2 – Lab-certified interconnection equipment with an aggregate electric nameplate capacity not exceeding the specifications in Section 466.90(b)(2). Lab-certified is defined in Section 466.20. (Application fee is $100 plus $1.00 per kVA.)

 

  Level 3 – Distributed energy resource facility does not export power.  Nameplate capacity rating is less than or equal to 50 kW if connecting to area network or less than or equal to 10 MW if connecting to a radial distribution feeder. (Application fee amount is $500 plus $2.00 per kVA.)

 

  Level 4 – Nameplate capacity rating is less than or equal to 10 MVA and the distributed energy resource facility does not qualify for a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 review, or the distributed energy resource facility has been reviewed but not approved under a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 review.  (Application fee amount is $1,000 plus $2.00 per kVA, to be applied toward any subsequent studies related to this application.)  

 

¹ Note:      Descriptions for interconnection review categories do not list all criteria that must be satisfied.  For a complete list of criteria, please refer to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 466, Electric Interconnection of Distributed Energy Resource Facilities.

 

 

Distributed Energy Resource Facility Information

 

Commissioning Date: _________________________________

 

List interconnection components/systems to be used in the DER facility that are lab-certified.

 

 

Component/System		NRTL Providing Label & Listing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Please provide copies of manufacturer brochures or technical specifications.

 

 

Energy Production Equipment/Inverter Information:

 

Synchronous

Induction

Inverter

Other

Rating:

kW

Rating:

kVA

Rated Voltage:

Volts

Rated Current:

Amps

System Type Tested (Total System):

Yes

No; attach product literature

 

 

For Synchronous Machines:

 

Note:  Contact EDC to determine if all the information requested in this section is required for the proposed DER facility. 

 

Manufacturer:

Model No.:

Version No.:

Submit copies of the Saturation Curve and the Vee Curve

Salient

Non-Salient

Torque:

lb/ft

Rated RPM:

Field Amperes:

at rated generator

voltage and current and

% PF over-excited

Type of Exciter:

Output Power of Exciter:

Type of Voltage Regulator:

Locked Rotor

Current:

Amps

Synchronous Speed:

RPM

Winding Connection:

Min. Operating Freq./Time:

Generator Connection:

Delta

Wye

Wye Grounded

Direct-axis Synchronous Reactance:

(Xd)

ohms

Direct-axis Transient Reactance:

(X'd)

ohms

Direct-axis Sub-transient Reactance:

(X''d)

ohms

Negative Sequence Reactance:

ohms

Zero Sequence Reactance:

ohms

Neutral Impedance or Grounding Resister (if any):

ohms

 

 

For Induction Machines:

 

Note:  Contact EDC to determine if all the information requested in this section is required for the proposed DER facility. 

 

Manufacturer:

Model No.:

Version No.:

Locked Rotor Current:

Amps

Rotor Resistance (Rr):

ohms

Exciting Current:

Amps

Rotor Reactance (Xr):

ohms

Reactive Power Required:

Magnetizing Reactance (Xm):

ohms

VARs (No Load)

Stator Resistance (Rs):

ohms

VARs (Full Load)

Stator Reactance (Xs):

ohms

Short Circuit Reactance (X"d):

ohms

Phases:

Single       Three-Phase

Frame Size:

Design Letter:

Temp. Rise:

°C.

 

 

Limited Export and Non-Export Controls Information

 

Manufacturer:
Model Number:					M
Limited Export or Non-Export?				Limited Export				Non-Export
Control Type:		Reverse Power Protection								Minimum Power Protection
		Relative Distributed Energy Resource Rating								Configured Power Rating
		Limited Export Power Control Systems								Limited Export using mutually agreed-upon means
		Directional Power Protection
Export Capacity Value (in kW):
Control Power Setting:
Control Power Time Delay (if any):

 

Additional Information For Inverter-Based Facilities

 

Inverter Information:

 

Manufacturer:

Model:

Type:

Forced Commutated

Line Commutated

Rated Output:

Watts

Volts

Efficiency:

%

Power Factor:

%

Inverter UL 1741 Listed:

Yes

No

 

 

DC Source / Prime Mover:

 

Rating:			kW	Rating:						kVA
Rated Voltage:					Volts
Open Circuit Voltage (if applicable):											Volts
Rated Current:						Amps
Short Circuit Current (if applicable):									Amps

 

 

Other Facility Information:

 

One Line Diagram attached:  Yes  

 

Plot Plan attached:  Yes  

 

 

Battery Storage Facility Information (If Applicable)

 

Do the batteries share an inverter with a renewable energy system?								☐ Yes	☐ No
Does the applicant intend to have the batteries charged by the distribution grid?										☐ Yes	☐ No
System Manufacturer:
Model:
Battery Type:
Battery Charge/Discharge Rating (kW AC):
Maximum Battery Charge/Discharge Rate (kW AC per second):
Battery Energy Capacity (kWh):
Power Factor Settings Range:

 

Battery Storage Inverter Information

 

Energy System Manufacturer:

Model:

Type: ☐ Forced   ☐ Commutated

 

Line Commutated Rated Output

Watts:

Volts:

Efficiency:

____ %

Power Factor:

____ %

 

Inverter IEEE 1547 / UL 1741 Listed:

☐ Yes

☐ No

Number of Inverters:

Total Capacity:

kW

DC Source / Prime Mover:

- Rating:

kW Rating:

kVA Rated Voltage:

Volts

Open Circuit Voltage (If Applicable):

Volts

Rated Current:

Amps

 

Battery Operational Information

 

Backup – allows for partial or whole home transition to off-grid during a grid outage.  ☐ Yes ☐ No

 

Solar Self-Powered – the battery will charge from the renewable energy source during normal operation and discharge to serve loads behind your meter.           ☐ Yes  ☐ No

 

Solar Non-Export – limits the export of energy to the grid to zero for both the battery and inverter, even if the battery system is fully charged and there is excess renewable source energy. ☐ Yes  ☐ No

 

Time-Based Control (sometimes called time-of-use or TOU mode) – the battery charges during off-peak hours and discharges to serve onsite loads during on-peak hours.   ☐ Yes  ☐ No

 

Describe any other intended operation of the battery:

Customer Signature

 

I hereby certify that all of the information provided in this Interconnection Request Application Form is true.

 

Applicant Signature:
Title:			Date:

 

An application fee is required before the application can be processed.  Please verify that the appropriate fee is included with the application:

 

Amount: _____________________

 

 

EDC Acknowledgement

 

Receipt of the application fee is acknowledged and this interconnection request is complete.

 

EDC Signature:			Date:
Printed Name:		Title:

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

Section 466.APPENDIX D   Levels 1 to 4 Contract

 

STANDARD AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION

OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES FACILITIES WITH A

CAPACITY LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 10 MVA

 

 

This agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into this

day of

, by and between

("interconnection customer"),

as an individual person, or as a

organized and existing under the

laws of the State of

and

, ("Electric

Distribution Company" (EDC)), a

existing under the laws of the State of

Illinois.  Interconnection customer and EDC each may be referred to as a "Party," or collectively as the "Parties."

 

Recitals:

 

Whereas, interconnection customer is proposing to install or direct the installation of a distributed energy resources (DER) facility, or is proposing a generating capacity addition to an existing DER facility, consistent with the interconnection request application form completed by interconnection customer on ________________; and

 

Whereas, the interconnection customer will operate and maintain, or cause the operation and maintenance of, the DER facility; and

 

Whereas, interconnection customer desires to interconnect the DER facility with EDC's electric distribution system.

 

Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties covenant and agree as follows:

 

Article 1.  Scope and Limitations of Agreement

 

1.1       This Agreement shall be used for all approved interconnection requests for DER facilities that fall under Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 according to the procedures set forth in Part 466 of the Commission's rules (83 Ill. Adm. Code 466) (referred to as the Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard).

 

1.2       This Agreement governs the terms and conditions under which the DER facility will interconnect to, and operate in parallel with, the EDC's electric distribution system.

 

1.3       This Agreement does not constitute an agreement to purchase or deliver the interconnection customer's power.

 

1.4       Nothing in this Agreement is intended to affect any other agreement between the EDC and the interconnection customer.

 

1.5       Terms used in this Agreement are defined as in Section 466.20 of the Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard unless otherwise noted.

 

1.6       Responsibilities of the Parties

 

1.6.1    The Parties shall perform all obligations of this Agreement in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

1.6.2    The EDC shall construct, own, operate, and maintain its interconnection facilities in accordance with this Agreement.

 

1.6.3    The interconnection customer shall construct, own, operate, and maintain its DER facility and interconnection facilities in accordance with this Agreement.

 

1.6.4    Each Party shall operate, maintain, repair, and inspect, and shall be fully responsible for, the facilities that it now or subsequently may own unless otherwise specified in the attachments to this Agreement. Each Party shall be responsible for the safe installation, maintenance, repair and condition of its respective lines and appurtenances on its respective sides of the point of interconnection.

 

1.6.5    The interconnection customer agrees to design, install, maintain and operate its DER facility so as to minimize the likelihood of causing an adverse system impact on the electric distribution system or any other electric system that is not owned or operated by the EDC.

 

1.7       Parallel Operation Obligations

Once the DER facility has been authorized to commence parallel operation, the interconnection customer shall abide by all operating procedures established in IEEE Standard 1547 and any other applicable laws, statutes or guidelines, including those specified in Attachment 4 of this Agreement.

 

1.8       Metering

The interconnection customer shall be responsible for the cost to purchase, install, operate, maintain, test, repair, and replace metering and data acquisition equipment specified in Attachments 5 and 6 of this Agreement.

 

1.9       Reactive Power

 

1.9.1    Interconnection customers with a DER facility larger than or equal to 1 MVA shall design their DER facilities to maintain a power factor at the point of interconnection between .95 lagging and .95 leading at all times.  Interconnection customers with a DER facility smaller than 1 MVA shall design their DER facility to maintain a power factor at the point of interconnection between .90 lagging and .90 leading at all times.

 

1.9.2    Any EDC requirements for meeting a specific voltage or specific reactive power schedule as a condition for interconnection shall be clearly specified in Attachment 4. Under no circumstance shall the EDC's additional requirements for voltage or reactive power schedules exceed the normal operating capabilities of the DER facility.

 

1.9.3    If the interconnection customer does not operate the DER facility within the power factor range specified in Attachment 4, or does not operate the distribute generation facility in accordance with a voltage or reactive power schedule specified in Attachment 4, the interconnection customer is in default under this Agreement, and the terms of Article 6.5 apply.

 

1.10     Standards of Operations

The interconnection customer must obtain all certifications, permits, licenses and approvals necessary to construct, operate and maintain the facility and to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The interconnection customer is responsible for coordinating and synchronizing the DER facility with the EDC's system. The interconnection customer is responsible for any damage that is caused by the interconnection customer's failure to coordinate or synchronize the DER facility with the electric distribution system. The interconnection customer agrees to be primarily liable for any damages resulting from the continued operation of the DER facility after the EDC ceases to energize the line section to which the DER facility is connected. In Attachment 4, the EDC shall specify the shortest reclose time setting for its protection equipment that could affect the DER facility. The EDC shall notify the interconnection customer at least 10 business days prior to adopting a faster reclose time on any automatic protective equipment, such as a circuit breaker or line recloser, that might affect the DER facility.

 

Article 2.  Inspection, Testing, Authorization, and Right of Access

 

2.1       Equipment Testing and Inspection

The interconnection customer shall test and inspect its DER facility including the interconnection equipment prior to interconnection in accordance with IEEE Standard 1547 (2003) and IEEE Standard 1547.1 (2005). The interconnection customer shall not operate its DER facility in parallel with the EDC's electric distribution system without prior written authorization by the EDC as provided for in Articles 2.1.1-2.1.3.

 

2.1.1    The EDC shall perform a witness test after construction of the DER facility is completed, but before parallel operation, unless the EDC specifically waives the witness test. The interconnection customer shall provide the EDC at least 15 business days' notice of the planned commissioning test for the DER facility. If the EDC performs a witness test at a time that is not concurrent with the commissioning test, it shall contact the interconnection customer to schedule the witness test at a mutually agreeable time within 10 business days after the scheduled commissioning test designated on the application. If the EDC does not perform the witness test within 10 business days after the commissioning test, the witness test is deemed waived unless the Parties mutually agree to extend the date for scheduling the witness test, or unless the EDC cannot do so for good cause, in which case, the Parties shall agree to another date for scheduling the test within 10 business days after the original scheduled date. If the witness test is not acceptable to the EDC, the EDC shall deliver in writing a detailed technical description of all deficiencies of the DER facility identified by the EDC during the witness test.  The interconnection customer has 30 business days after receipt of the written description to address and resolve any deficiencies. This time period may be extended upon agreement between the EDC and the interconnection customer. If the interconnection customer fails to address and resolve the deficiencies to the satisfaction of the EDC, the applicable cure provisions of Article 6.5 shall apply. The interconnection customer shall, if requested by the EDC, provide a copy of all documentation in its possession regarding testing conducted pursuant to IEEE Standard 1547.1.

 

2.1.2    If the interconnection customer conducts interim testing of the DER facility prior to the witness test, the interconnection customer shall obtain permission from the EDC before each occurrence of operating the DER facility in parallel with the electric distribution system. The EDC may, at its own expense, send qualified personnel to the DER facility to observe such interim testing, but it cannot mandate that these tests be considered in the final witness test. The EDC is not required to observe the interim testing or precluded from requiring the tests be repeated at the final witness test.  During and leading up to the witness test, the EDC shall not limit the interconnection customer's ability to test the DER facility during normal working hours except for safety and reliability reasons.

 

2.1.3    After the DER facility passes the witness test, the EDC shall affix an authorized signature to the certificate of completion and return it to the interconnection customer approving the interconnection and authorizing parallel operation. The authorization shall not be conditioned or delayed and the EDC shall return the signed certificate of completion to the interconnection customer no more than 10 business days after the date that the DER facility passes the witness test.

 

2.2       Commercial Operation

The interconnection customer shall not operate the DER facility, except for interim testing as provided in Article 2.1, until such time as the certificate of completion is signed by all Parties.

 

2.3       Right of Access

The EDC must have access to the disconnect switch and metering equipment of the DER facility at all times. When practical, the EDC shall provide notice to the customer prior to using its right of access.

 

Article 3.  Effective Date, Term, Termination, and Disconnection

 

3.1       Effective Date

This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by all Parties.

 

3.2       Term of Agreement

This Agreement shall become effective on the effective date and shall remain in effect unless terminated in accordance with Article 3.3 of this Agreement.

 

3.3       Termination

 

3.3.1    The interconnection customer may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving the EDC 30 calendar days prior written notice.

 

3.3.2    Either Party may terminate this Agreement after default pursuant to Article 6.5.

 

3.3.3    The EDC may terminate, upon 60 calendar days' prior written notice, for failure of the interconnection customer to complete construction of the DER facility within 12 months after the in-service date as specified by the Parties in Attachment 2, which may be extended by agreement between the Parties.

 

3.3.4    The EDC may terminate this Agreement, upon 60 calendar days' prior written notice, if the interconnection customer has abandoned, cancelled, permanently disconnected or stopped development, construction, or operation of the DER facility, or if the interconnection customer fails to operate the DER facility in parallel with the EDC's electric system for three consecutive years.

 

3.3.5    Upon termination of this Agreement, the DER facility will be disconnected from the EDC's electric distribution system. Terminating this Agreement does not relieve either Party of its liabilities and obligations that are owed or continuing when the Agreement is terminated.

 

3.3.6    If the Agreement is terminated, the interconnection customer loses its position in the interconnection queue.

 

3.4       Temporary Disconnection

A Party may temporarily disconnect the DER facility from the electric distribution system in the event one or more of the following conditions or events occurs:

 

3.4.1    Emergency conditions – shall mean any condition or situation: (1) that in the judgment of the Party making the claim is likely to endanger life or property; or (2) that the EDC determines is likely to cause an adverse system impact, or is likely to have a material adverse effect on the EDC's electric distribution system, interconnection facilities or other facilities, or is likely to interrupt or materially interfere with the provision of electric utility service to other customers; or (3) that is likely to cause a material adverse effect on the DER facility or the interconnection equipment. Under emergency conditions, the EDC or the interconnection customer may suspend interconnection service and temporarily disconnect the DER facility from the electric distribution system. The EDC must notify the interconnection customer when it becomes aware of any conditions that might affect the interconnection customer's operation of the DER facility. The interconnection customer shall notify the EDC when it becomes aware of any condition that might affect the EDC's electric distribution system. To the extent information is known, the notification shall describe the condition, the extent of the damage or deficiency, the expected effect on the operation of both Parties' facilities and operations, its anticipated duration, and the necessary corrective action.

 

3.4.2    Scheduled maintenance, construction, or repair – the EDC may interrupt interconnection service or curtail the output of the DER facility and temporarily disconnect the DER  facility from the EDC's electric distribution system when necessary for scheduled maintenance, construction, or repairs on EDC's electric distribution system.  The EDC shall provide the interconnection customer with notice no less than 5 business days before an interruption due to scheduled maintenance, construction, or repair, or the EDC shall provide notice immediately if the scheduled maintenance, construction, or repair is scheduled less than 5 business days in advance.  The EDC shall coordinate the reduction or temporary disconnection with the interconnection customer; however, the interconnection customer is responsible for out-of-pocket costs incurred by the EDC for deferring or rescheduling maintenance, construction or repair at the interconnection customer's request.

 

3.4.3    Forced outages – The EDC may suspend interconnection service to repair the EDC's electric distribution system. The EDC shall provide the interconnection customer with prior notice, if possible. If prior notice is not possible, the EDC shall, upon written request, provide the interconnection customer with written documentation, after the fact, explaining the circumstances of the disconnection.

 

3.4.4    Adverse system impact – the EDC must provide the interconnection customer with written notice of its intention to disconnect the DER facility, if the EDC determines that operation of the DER facility creates an adverse system impact. The documentation that supports the EDC's decision to disconnect must be provided to the interconnection customer. The EDC may disconnect the DER facility if, after receipt of the notice, the interconnection customer fails to remedy the adverse system impact, unless emergency conditions exist, in which case, the provisions of Article 3.4.1 apply. The EDC may continue to leave the generating facility disconnected until the adverse system impact is corrected.

 

3.4.5    Modification of the DER facility – The interconnection customer must receive written authorization from the EDC prior to making any change to the DER facility, other than a minor equipment modification. If the interconnection customer modifies its facility without the EDC's prior written authorization, the EDC has the right to disconnect the DER facility until such time as the EDC concludes the modification poses no threat to the safety or reliability of its electric distribution system.

 

3.4.6    The EDC's compliance with Article 3 shall preclude any claim for damages for any lost opportunity or other costs incurred by the interconnection customer as a result of an interruption of service under Article 3.  Any dispute over whether the EDC complied with Article 3 shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution mechanism set forth in Article 8.

 

Article 4.  Cost Responsibility for Interconnection Facilities and Distribution Upgrades

 

4.1       Interconnection Facilities

 

4.1.1    The interconnection customer shall pay, or reimburse the EDC, as applicable, for the cost of the interconnection facilities itemized in Attachment 3. The EDC shall identify the additional interconnection facilities necessary to interconnect the DER  facility with the EDC's electric distribution system, the cost of those facilities, and the time required to build and install those facilities, as well as an estimated date of completion of the building or installation of those facilities.

 

4.1.2    The interconnection customer is responsible for its expenses, including overheads, associated with owning, operating, maintaining, repairing, and replacing its interconnection equipment.

 

4.2       Distribution Upgrades

The EDC shall design, procure, construct, install, and own any distribution upgrades. The actual cost of the distribution upgrades, including overheads, shall be directly assigned to the interconnection customer whose DER facility caused the need for the distribution upgrades.

 

Article 5.  Billing, Payment, Milestones, and Financial Security

 

5.1       Billing and Payment Procedures and Final Accounting (Applies to supplemental  reviews conducted under Level 1, 2 or 3 review with EDC construction necessary for accommodating the DER facility, and Level 4 reviews)

 

5.1.1    The EDC shall bill the interconnection customer for the design, engineering, construction, and procurement costs of EDC-provided interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades contemplated by this Agreement as set forth in Attachment 3. The billing shall occur on a monthly basis, or as otherwise agreed to between the Parties. The interconnection customer shall pay each bill within 30 calendar days after receipt, or as otherwise agreed to between the Parties.

 

5.1.2    Unless waived by the interconnection customer, within 90 calendar days after completing the construction and installation of the EDC's interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades described in Attachments 2 and 3 to this Agreement, the EDC shall provide the interconnection customer with a final accounting report of any difference between (1) the actual cost incurred to complete the construction and installation of the EDC's interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades; and (2) the interconnection customer's previous deposit and aggregate payments to the EDC for the interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades. If the interconnection customer's cost responsibility exceeds its previous deposit and aggregate payments, the EDC shall invoice the interconnection customer for the amount due and the interconnection customer shall pay the EDC within 30 calendar days. If the interconnection customer's previous deposit and aggregate payments exceed its cost responsibility under this Agreement, the EDC shall refund to the interconnection customer an amount equal to the difference within 30 calendar days after the final accounting report. Upon request from the interconnection customer, if the difference between the budget estimate and the actual cost exceeds 20%, the EDC will provide a written explanation for the difference.

 

5.1.3    If a Party disputes any portion of its payment obligation pursuant to this Article 5, the Party shall pay in a timely manner all non-disputed portions of its invoice, and the disputed amount shall be resolved pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions contained in Article 8. A Party disputing a portion of an Article 5 payment shall not be considered to be in default of its obligations under this Article.

 

5.2       Interconnection Customer Deposit

Within 15 business days after signing and returning the interconnection agreement to the EDC, the interconnection customer shall provide the EDC with a deposit equal to 100% of the estimated, non-binding cost to procure, install, or construct any such facilities.  However, when the estimated date of completion of the building or installation of facilities exceeds three months from the date of notification, pursuant to Article 4.1.1 of this Agreement, this deposit may be held in escrow by a mutually agreed-upon third-party, with any interest to inure to the benefit of the interconnection customer.  To the extent that this interconnection agreement is terminated for any reason, the EDC shall return all deposits provided by the interconnection customer, less any actual costs incurred by the EDC.

 

Article 6.  Assignment, Limitation on Damages, Indemnity, Force Majeure, and Default

 

6.1       Assignment

This Agreement may be assigned by either Party. If the interconnection customer attempts to assign this Agreement, the assignee must agree to the terms of this Agreement in writing and such writing must be provided to the EDC. Any attempted assignment that violates this Article is void and ineffective. Assignment shall not relieve a Party of its obligations, nor shall a Party's obligations be enlarged, in whole or in part, by reason of the assignment. An assignee is responsible for meeting the same obligations as the assignor.

 

6.1.1    Either Party may assign this Agreement without the consent of the other Party to any affiliate (including mergers, consolidations or transfers, or a sale of a substantial portion of the Party's assets, between the Party and another entity), of the assigning Party that has an equal or greater credit rating and the legal authority and operational ability to satisfy the obligations of the assigning Party under this Agreement.

 

6.1.2    The interconnection customer can assign this Agreement, without the consent of the EDC, for collateral security purposes to aid in providing financing for the DER facility.

 

6.2       Limitation on Damages

Except for cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the liability of any Party to this Agreement shall be limited to direct actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees, and all other damages at law are waived. Under no circumstances, except for cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall any Party or its directors, officers, employees and agents, or any of them, be liable to another Party, whether in tort, contract or other basis in law or equity for any special, indirect, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages, including lost profits, lost revenues, replacement power, cost of capital or replacement equipment. This limitation on damages shall not affect any Party's rights to obtain equitable relief, including specific performance, as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The provisions of this Article 6.2 shall survive the termination or expiration of the Agreement.

 

6.3       Indemnity

 

6.3.1    This provision protects each Party from liability incurred to third parties as a result of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement. Liability under this provision is exempt from the general limitations on liability found in Article 6.2.

 

6.3.2    The interconnection customer shall indemnify and defend the EDC and the EDC's directors, officers, employees, and agents, from all damages and expenses resulting from a third party claim arising out of or based upon the interconnection customer's (a) negligence or willful misconduct or (b) breach of this Agreement.

 

6.3.3    The EDC shall indemnify and defend the interconnection customer and the interconnection customer's directors, officers, employees, and agents from all damages and expenses resulting from a third party claim arising out of or based upon the EDC's (a) negligence or willful misconduct or (b) breach of this Agreement.

 

6.3.4    Within 5 business days after receipt by an indemnified Party of any claim or notice that an action or administrative or legal proceeding or investigation as to which the indemnity provided for in this Article may apply has commenced, the indemnified Party shall notify the indemnifying Party of such fact. The failure to notify, or a delay in notification, shall not affect a Party's indemnification obligation unless that failure or delay is materially prejudicial to the indemnifying Party.

 

6.3.5    If an indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Article as a result of a claim by a third party, and the indemnifying Party fails, after notice and reasonable opportunity to proceed under this Article, to assume the defense of such claim, that indemnified Party may, at the expense of the indemnifying Party, contest, settle or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, or pay in full, the claim.

 

6.3.6    If an indemnifying Party is obligated to indemnify and hold any indemnified Party harmless under this Article, the amount owing to the indemnified person shall be the amount of the indemnified Party's actual loss, net of any insurance or other recovery.

 

6.4       Force Majeure

 

6.4.1    As used in this Article, a force majeure event shall mean any act of God, labor disturbance, act of the public enemy, war, acts of terrorism, insurrection, riot, fire, storm or flood, explosion, breakage or accident to machinery or equipment through no direct, indirect, or contributory act of a Party, any order, regulation or restriction imposed by governmental, military or lawfully established civilian authorities, or any other cause beyond a Party's control. A force majeure event does not include an act of gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing by the Party claiming force majeure.

 

6.4.2    If a force majeure event prevents a Party from fulfilling any obligations under this Agreement, the Party affected by the force majeure event ("Affected Party") shall notify the other Party of the existence of the force majeure event within one business day. The notification must specify the circumstances of the force majeure event, its expected duration, and the steps that the Affected Party is taking and will take to mitigate the effects of the event on its performance. If the initial notification is verbal, it must be followed up with a written notification within one business day. The Affected Party shall keep the other Party informed on a continuing basis of developments relating to the force majeure event until the event ends. The Affected Party may suspend or modify its obligations under this Agreement (other than the obligation to make payments) only to the extent that the effect of the force majeure event cannot be otherwise mitigated.

 

6.5       Default

 

6.5.1    No default shall exist when the failure to discharge an obligation (other than the payment of money) results from a force majeure event as defined in this Agreement, or the result of an act or omission of the other Party.

 

6.5.2    A Party shall be in default ("Default") of this Agreement if it fails in any material respect to comply with, observe or perform, or defaults in the performance of, any covenant or obligation under this Agreement and fails to cure the failure within 60 calendar days after receiving written notice from the other Party. Upon a default of this Agreement, the non-defaulting Party shall give written notice of the default to the defaulting Party. Except as provided in Article 6.5.3, the defaulting Party has 60 calendar days after receipt of the default notice to cure the default; provided, however, if the default cannot be cured within 60 calendar days, the defaulting Party shall commence the cure within 20 calendar days after original notice and complete the cure within six months from receipt of the default notice; and, if cured within that time, the default specified in the notice shall cease to exist.

 

6.5.3    If a Party has assigned this Agreement in a manner that is not specifically authorized by Article 6.1, fails to provide reasonable access pursuant to Article 2.3, and is in default of its obligations pursuant to Article 7, or if a Party is in default of its payment obligations pursuant to Article 5 of this Agreement, the defaulting Party has 30 days from receipt of the default notice to cure the default.

 

6.5.4    If a default is not cured as provided for in this Article, or if a default is not capable of being cured within the period provided for in this Article, the non-defaulting Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by written notice, and be relieved of any further obligation under this Agreement and, whether or not that Party terminates this Agreement, to recover from the defaulting Party all amounts due under this Agreement, plus all other damages and remedies to which it is entitled at law or in equity. The provisions of this Article shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

Article 7.  Insurance

 

For DER facilities with a nameplate capacity of 1 MVA or above, the interconnection customer shall carry sufficient insurance coverage so that the maximum comprehensive/general liability coverage that is continuously maintained by the interconnection customer during the term shall be not less than $2,000,000 for each occurrence, and an aggregate, if any, of at least $4,000,000. The EDC, its officers, employees and agents shall be added as an additional insured on this policy. The interconnection customer agrees to provide the EDC with at least 30 calendar days advance written notice of cancellation, reduction in limits, or non-renewal of any insurance policy required by this Article.

 

Article 8.  Dispute Resolution

 

8.1       Parties shall attempt to resolve all disputes regarding interconnection as provided in this Article in a good faith manner.

 

8.2       If there is a dispute between the Parties about implementation or an interpretation of the Agreement, the aggrieved Party shall issue a written notice to the other Party to the Agreement that specifies the dispute and the Agreement articles that are disputed.

 

8.3       A meeting between the Parties shall be held within 10 days after receipt of the written notice. Persons with decision-making authority from each Party shall attend the meeting. If the dispute involves technical issues, persons with sufficient technical expertise and familiarity with the issue in dispute from each Party shall also attend the meeting. The meeting may be conducted by teleconference.  The informal process between the parties shall extend 30 days after the receipt of written notice, after which the dispute is deemed resolved and the timeframes for decisions within the interconnection process resume, unless one of the parties seeks resolution through non-binding arbitration procedures described in Article 8.4 or files a formal complaint at the Commission prior to the end of the 30-day period.

 

8.4       If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through the process outlined in Article 8.3, either party may submit the interconnection dispute to an Ombudsman for non-binding arbitration. The party electing non-binding arbitration shall notify the other party of the request in writing. The non-binding arbitration process is limited to 60 days, absent mutual agreement of the parties and the Ombudsman to a longer period.

 

8.5       Each party shall bear its own fees, costs and expenses and an equal share of the expenses of the non-binding arbitration.

 

8.6       Within 10 days after the conclusion of the procedures in Article 8.4, either party may initiate a formal complaint with the Commission and ask for an expedited resolution of the dispute.  If the complaint seeks expedited resolution, any written recommendation of the Ombudsman shall be appended to the complaint.  The formal complaint shall proceed as a contested hearing pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Practice.

 

8.7       A party may, after good faith negotiations have failed, decline to pursue non-binding arbitration and instead initiate a formal complaint with the Commission. The formal complaint shall proceed as a contested hearing pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Practice.

 

8.8       Pursuit of dispute resolution may not affect an interconnection request or an interconnection applicant's position in the EDC's interconnection queue.

 

8.9       If the Parties fail to resolve their dispute under the dispute resolution provisions of this Article, nothing in this Article shall affect any Party's rights to obtain equitable relief, including specific performance, as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

 

Article 9.  Miscellaneous

 

9.1       Governing Law, Regulatory Authority, and Rules

The validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and each of its provisions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflicts of law principles. This Agreement is subject to all applicable laws and regulations. Each Party expressly reserves the right to seek change in, appeal, or otherwise contest any laws, orders or regulations of a governmental authority. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against the EDC or interconnection customer, regardless of the involvement of either Party in drafting this Agreement.

 

9.2       Amendment

Modification of this Agreement shall be only by a written instrument duly executed by both Parties.

 

9.3       No Third-Party Beneficiaries

This Agreement is not intended to and does not create rights, remedies, or benefits of any character whatsoever in favor of any persons, corporations, associations, or entities other than the Parties, and the obligations in this Agreement assumed are solely for the use and benefit of the Parties, their successors in interest and, where permitted, their assigns.

 

9.4       Waiver

 

9.4.1    Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Party's compliance with any obligation, covenant, agreement, or condition in this Agreement may be waived by the Party entitled to the benefits thereof only by a written instrument signed by the Party granting the waiver, but the waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with the obligation, covenant, agreement, or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

 

9.4.2.   Failure of any Party to enforce or insist upon compliance with any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, or to give notice or declare this Agreement or the rights under this Agreement terminated, shall not constitute a waiver or relinquishment of any rights set out in this Agreement, but the same shall be and remain at all times in full force and effect, unless and only to the extent expressly set forth in a written document signed by that Party granting the waiver or relinquishing any such rights. Any waiver granted, or relinquishment of any right, by a Party shall not operate as a relinquishment of any other rights or a waiver of any other failure of the Party granted the waiver to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement, or condition of this Agreement.

 

9.5       Entire Agreement

Except as provided in Article 9.1, this Agreement, including all attachments, constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties with reference to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings or agreements, oral or written, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. There are no other agreements, representations, warranties, or covenants that constitute any part of the consideration for, or any condition to, either Party's compliance with its obligations under this Agreement.

 

9.6       Multiple Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which is deemed an original, but all constitute one and the same instrument.

 

9.7       No Partnership

This Agreement shall not be interpreted or construed to create an association, joint venture, agency relationship, or partnership between the Parties, or to impose any partnership obligation or partnership liability upon either Party. Neither Party shall have any right, power or authority to enter into any agreement or undertaking for, or act on behalf of, or to act as or be an agent or representative of, or to otherwise bind, the other Party.

 

9.8       Severability

If any provision or portion of this Agreement shall for any reason be held or adjudged to be invalid or illegal or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental authority, (1) that portion or provision shall be deemed separate and independent, (2) the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to restore insofar as practicable the benefits to each Party that were affected by the ruling, and (3) the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

9.9       Environmental Releases

Each Party shall notify the other Party of the release of any hazardous substances, any asbestos or lead abatement activities, or any type of remediation activities related to the DER facility or the interconnection facilities, each of which may reasonably be expected to affect the other Party. The notifying Party shall (1) provide the notice as soon as practicable, provided that Party makes a good faith effort to provide the notice no later than 24 hours after that Party becomes aware of the occurrence, and (2) promptly furnish to the other Party copies of any publicly available reports filed with any governmental authorities addressing such events.

 

9.10     Subcontractors

Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent a Party from using the services of any subcontractor it deems appropriate to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that each Party shall require its subcontractors to comply with all applicable terms and conditions of this Agreement in providing services and each Party shall remain primarily liable to the other Party for the performance of the subcontractor.

 

9.10.1  A subcontract relationship does not relieve any Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement. The hiring Party remains responsible to the other Party for the acts or omissions of its subcontractor. Any applicable obligation imposed by this Agreement upon the hiring Party shall be equally binding upon, and shall be construed as having application to, any subcontractor of the hiring Party.

 

9.10.2  The obligations under this Article cannot be limited in any way by any limitation of subcontractor's insurance.

 

Article 10.  Notices

 

10.1     General

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, any written notice, demand, or request required or authorized in connection with this Agreement ("Notice") shall be deemed properly given if delivered in person, delivered by recognized national courier service, or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the person specified below:

 

If to Interconnection Customer:

 

Interconnection Customer:
Attention:
Address:
City:						State:			Zip:
Phone:				Fax:		E-Mail:

 

If to EDC:

 

EDC:
Attention:
Address:
City:						State:			Zip:
Phone:				Fax:		E-Mail:

 

Alternative Forms of Notice

Any notice or request required or permitted to be given by either Party to the other Party and not required by this Agreement to be in writing may be given by telephone, facsimile or e-mail to the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses set out above.

 

10.2     Billing and Payment

Billings and payments shall be sent to the addresses set out below:

 

If to Interconnection Customer:

 

Interconnection Customer:

Attention:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Phone:

Fax:

E-Mail:

 

If to EDC:

 

EDC:
Attention:
Address:
City:						State:				Zip:
Phone:				Fax:			E-Mail:

 

10.3     Designated Operating Representative

The Parties may also designate operating representatives to conduct the communications that may be necessary or convenient for the administration of this Agreement. This person will also serve as the point of contact with respect to operations and maintenance of the Party's facilities.

 

Interconnection Customer's Operating Representative:

Attention:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Phone:

Fax:

E-Mail:

 

 

EDC's Operating Representative:

Attention:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Phone:

Fax:

E-Mail:

 

10.4     Changes to the Notice Information

Either Party may change this notice information by giving five business days written notice before the effective date of the change.

 

Article 11.  Signatures

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives.

 

 

For the Interconnection Customer:

 

Name:
Title:
Date:

 

For EDC:

 

Name:
Title:
Date:

 

Attachment 1

 

Definitions

 

Adverse system impact – A negative effect that compromises the safety or reliability of the electric distribution system or materially affects the quality of electric service provided by the electric distribution company (EDC) to other customers.

 

Applicable laws and regulations – All duly promulgated applicable federal, State and local laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, directives, or judicial or administrative orders, permits and other duly authorized actions of any governmental authority, having jurisdiction over the Parties.

 

Commissioning test – Tests applied to a distributed energy resources  facility by the applicant after construction is completed to verify that the facility does not create adverse system impacts. At a minimum, the scope of the commissioning tests performed shall include the commissioning test specified by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.4 "Commissioning tests."

 

Distributed energy resources (DER) facility – The equipment used by an interconnection customer to generate or store electricity that operates in parallel with the electric distribution system. A DER facility typically includes an electric generator, prime mover, and the interconnection equipment required to safely interconnect with the electric distribution system or a local electric power system.

 

Distribution upgrades – A required addition or modification to the EDC's electric distribution system at or beyond the point of interconnection to accommodate the interconnection of a DER facility. Distribution upgrades do not include interconnection facilities.

 

Electric distribution company or EDC – Any electric utility entity subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

 

Electric distribution system – The facilities and equipment used to transmit electricity to ultimate usage points such as homes and industries from interchanges with higher voltage transmission networks that transport bulk power over longer distances. The voltage levels at which electric distribution systems operate differ among areas but generally carry less than 100 kilovolts of electricity.  Electric distribution system has the same meaning as the term Area EPS, as defined in 3.1.6.1 of IEEE Standard 1547.

 

Facilities study – An engineering study conducted by the EDC to determine the required modifications to the EDC's electric distribution system, including the cost and the time required to build and install the modifications, as necessary to accommodate an interconnection request.

 

Force majeure event – Any act of God, labor disturbance, act of the public enemy, war, acts of terrorism, insurrection, riot, fire, storm or flood, explosion, breakage or accident to machinery or equipment through no direct, indirect, or contributory act of a Party, any order, regulation or restriction imposed by governmental, military or lawfully established civilian authorities, or any other cause beyond a Party's control. A force majeure event does not include an act of gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing.

 

Governmental authority – Any federal, State, local or other governmental regulatory or administrative agency, court, commission, department, board, other governmental subdivision, legislature, rulemaking board, tribunal, or other governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Parties, their respective facilities, or the respective services they provide, and exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, police, or taxing authority or power; provided, however, that this term does not include the interconnection customer, EDC or any affiliate of either.

 

IEEE Standard 1547 – The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), 3 Park Avenue, New York NY 10016-5997, Standard 1547 (2003), "Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems."

 

IEEE Standard 1547.1 – The IEEE Standard 1547.1 (2005), "Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems."

 

Illinois standard distributed energy resources interconnection rules – The most current version of the procedures for interconnecting distributed energy resources facilities adopted by the Illinois Commerce Commission. See 83 Ill. Adm. Code 466.

 

Interconnection agreement or Agreement – The agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC. The interconnection agreement governs the connection of the DER facility to the EDC's electric distribution system and the ongoing operation of the DER facility after it is connected to the EDC's electric distribution system.

 

Interconnection customer – The entity entering into this Agreement for the purpose of interconnecting a DER facility to the EDC's electric distribution system.

 

Interconnection equipment – A group of components or an integrated system connecting an electric generator with a local electric power system or an electric distribution system that includes all interface equipment, including switchgear, protective devices, inverters or other interface devices. Interconnection equipment may be installed as part of an integrated equipment package that includes a generator or other electric source.

 

Interconnection facilities – Facilities and equipment required by the EDC to accommodate the interconnection of a DER facility. Collectively, interconnection facilities include all facilities, and equipment between the DER facility and the point of interconnection, including modification, additions, or upgrades that are necessary to physically and electrically interconnect the DER facility to the electric distribution system. Interconnection facilities are sole use facilities and do not include distribution upgrades.

 

Interconnection request – An interconnection customer's request, on the required form, for the interconnection of a new DER facility, or to increase the capacity or change the operating characteristics of an existing DER facility that is interconnected with the EDC's electric distribution system.

 

Interconnection study – Any of the following studies, as determined to be appropriate by the EDC:  the interconnection feasibility study, the interconnection system impact study, and the interconnection facilities study.

 

Load customer – An EDC customer whose primary business classification is not the production of electricity.

 

Parallel operation or Parallel – The state of operation that occurs when a DER facility is connected electrically to the electric distribution system.

 

Point of interconnection – The point where the DER facility is electrically connected to the electric distribution system. Point of interconnection has the same meaning as the term "point of common coupling" defined in 3.1.13 of IEEE Standard 1547.

 

Witness test – For lab-certified equipment, verification (either by an on-site observation or review of documents) by the EDC that the interconnection installation evaluation required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.3 and the commissioning test required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.4 have been adequately performed. For interconnection equipment that has not been lab-certified, the witness test shall also include verification by the EDC of the on-site design tests required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.1 and verification by the EDC of production tests required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.2. All tests verified by the EDC are to be performed in accordance with the test procedures specified by IEEE Standard 1547.1.

Attachment 2

 

Construction Schedule, Proposed Equipment & Settings

 

This attachment is to be completed by the interconnection customer and shall include the following:

 

1.         The construction schedule for the DER facility.

 

2.         A one-line diagram indicating the DER facility, interconnection equipment, interconnection facilities, metering equipment, and distribution upgrades.

 

3.         Component specifications for equipment identified in the one-line diagram.

 

4.         Component settings.

 

5.         Proposed sequence of operations.

 

6.         A three line diagram showing current potential circuits for protective relays.

 

7.         Relay tripping and control schematic diagram.

Attachment 3

 

Description, Costs and Time Required to Build and

Install the EDC's Interconnection Facilities

 

This attachment is to be completed by the EDC and shall include the following:

 

1.         Required interconnection facilities, including any required metering.

 

2.         An estimate of itemized costs charged by the EDC for interconnection, including overheads, based on results from prior studies.

 

3.         An estimate for the time required to build and install the EDC's interconnection facilities based on results from prior studies and an estimate of the date upon which the facilities will be completed.

 

Attachment 4

 

Operating Requirements for Distributed Energy Resources  Facilities Operating in Parallel

 

The EDC shall list specific operating practices that apply to this DER interconnection and the conditions under which each listed specific operating practice applies.

Attachment 5

 

Monitoring and Control Requirements

 

This attachment is to be completed by the EDC and shall include the following:

 

1.         The EDC's monitoring and control requirements must be specified, along with a reference to the EDC's written requirements documents from which these requirements are derived.

 

2.         An internet link to the requirements documents.

 

3.         If applicable, a copy of any agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC enabling the EDC to monitor and control the distributed energy resources facility in order to preserve distribution system reliability.

Attachment 6

 

Metering Requirements

 

This attachment is to be completed by the EDC and shall include the following:

 

1.         The metering requirements for the distributed energy resources facility.

 

2.         Identification of the appropriate tariffs that establish these requirements.

 

3.         An internet link to these tariffs.

Attachment 7

 

As Built Documents

 

This attachment is to be completed by the interconnection customer and shall include the following:

 

When it returns the certificate of completion to the EDC, the interconnection customer shall provide the EDC with documents detailing the as-built status of the following:

 

1.         A one-line diagram indicating the distributed energy resources facility, interconnection equipment, interconnection facilities, and metering equipment.

 

2.         Component specifications for equipment identified in the one-line diagram.

 

3.         Component settings.

 

4.         Proposed sequence of operations.

 

5.         A three-line diagram showing current potential circuits for protective relays.

 

6.         Relay tripping and control schematic diagram.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

Section 466.APPENDIX E   Interconnection Feasibility Study Agreement

 

Interconnection Feasibility Study Agreement

 

This agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into this

day of

by and between

("interconnection customer"), as an

individual person, or as a

organized and existing under the

laws of the State of

, and

("Electric Distribution

Company" (EDC)), a

existing under the laws of the

State of Illinois.  Interconnection customer and EDC each may be referred to as a "Party", or collectively as the "Parties".

 

 

Recitals:

 

Whereas, interconnection customer is proposing to develop a distributed energy resources facility or modifying to an existing distributed energy resources facility consistent with the interconnection request application form submitted by interconnection customer on

(Date)

; and

 

Whereas, interconnection customer desires to interconnect the distributed energy resources facility with EDC's electric distribution system; and

 

Whereas, interconnection customer has requested EDC to perform an interconnection feasibility study to assess the feasibility of interconnecting the proposed distributed energy resources facility to EDC's electric distribution system;

 

Now, therefore, in consideration of and subject to the mutual covenants contained herein the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.         All terms defined in Section 466.20 of the Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard shall have the meanings indicated in that Section when used in this Agreement.

 

2.         Interconnection customer elects and EDC shall cause to be performed an interconnection feasibility study consistent with Section 466.120 of the Illinois Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Standard.

 

3.         The scope of the interconnection feasibility study shall be based upon the information set forth in the interconnection request application form and Attachment A to this Agreement.

 

4.         The interconnection feasibility study shall be based on the technical information provided by interconnection customer in the interconnection request application form, as modified with the agreement of the Parties.  EDC has the right to request additional technical information from interconnection customer during the course of the interconnection feasibility study.  If the interconnection customer modifies its interconnection request, the time to complete the interconnection feasibility study may be extended by the EDC.

 

5.         In performing the study, EDC shall rely on existing studies of recent vintage to the extent practical.  The interconnection customer will not be charged for such existing studies; however, interconnection customer is responsible for the cost of applying any existing study to the interconnection customer specific requirements and for any new study that the EDC performs.

 

6.         The interconnection feasibility study report shall provide the following information:

 

6.1       Identification of any equipment short circuit capability limits exceeded as a result of the interconnection,

 

6.2       Identification of any thermal overload or voltage limit violations resulting from the interconnection, and

 

6.3       A description and non-binding estimated cost of facilities required to interconnect the distributed energy resources facility to EDC's electric distribution system as required under Section 466.120(e)(1).

 

7.         Interconnection customer shall provide a study deposit equal to 100% of the estimated non-binding study costs at least 20 business days prior to the date upon which the study commences.

 

8.         The interconnection feasibility study shall be completed and the results shall be transmitted to interconnection customer within 25 business days after this Agreement is signed by the Parties.

 

9.         Study fees shall be based on actual costs and will be invoiced to interconnection customer after the study is transmitted to interconnection customer.  The invoice must include an itemized listing of employee time and costs expended on the study.

 

10.       Interconnection customer shall pay any actual study costs that exceed the deposit without interest within 30 calendar days on receipt of the invoice.  EDC shall refund any excess deposit amount without interest within 30 calendar days after the invoice.

 

In witness whereof, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers or agents on the day and year first above written.

 

 

[Insert name of interconnection customer]

 

Signed:
Name (Printed):			Title:

 

[Insert name of EDC]

 

Signed:
Name (Printed):			Title:

 

Attachment A to Interconnection Feasibility Study Agreement

Assumptions Used in Conducting the Interconnection Feasibility Study

 

 

The interconnection feasibility study will be based upon the information in the interconnection
request application form and agreed upon on		:
	Date

 

1.  Point of interconnection and configuration to be studied.

 

2.  Alternative points of interconnection and configurations to be studied.

 

Note:   1 and 2 are to be completed by the interconnection customer.  Any additional assumptions (explained below) may be provided by either the interconnection customer or the EDC.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)

Section 466.APPENDIX F   Interconnection System Impact Study Agreement

 

Interconnection System Impact Study Agreement

 

This agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into this

day of

by and between

("interconnection customer"), as an

individual person, or as a

organized and existing under the

laws of the State of

, and

("Electric Distribution

Company" (EDC)), a

existing under the laws of the

State of Illinois.  Interconnection customer and EDC each may be referred to as a "Party", or collectively as the "Parties".

 

 

Recitals:

 

Whereas, interconnection customer is proposing to develop a distributed generation facility or modifying an existing distributed generation facility consistent with the interconnection request

application form completed by interconnection customer on

(Date)

; and

 

Whereas, interconnection customer desires to interconnect the distributed generation facility to EDC's electric distribution system; and

 

Whereas, EDC has completed an interconnection feasibility study and provided the results of said study to interconnection customer (this recital to be omitted if the Parties have agreed to forego the interconnection feasibility study); and

 

Whereas, interconnection customer has requested EDC to perform an interconnection system impact study to assess the impact of interconnecting the distributed generation facility to EDC's electric distribution system;

 

Now, therefore, in consideration of and subject to the mutual covenants contained herein the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.         All terms defined in Section 466.30 of the Illinois Distributed Generation Interconnection Standard shall have the meanings indicated in that Section when used in this Agreement.

 

2.         Interconnection customer elects and EDC shall cause to be performed an interconnection system impact study consistent with Section 466.120 of the Illinois Distributed Generation Interconnection Standard.

 

3.         The scope of the interconnection system impact study shall be based upon the information set forth in the interconnection request application form and in Attachment A to this Agreement.

 

4.         The interconnection system impact study shall be based upon the interconnection feasibility study and the technical information provided by interconnection customer in the interconnection request application form. EDC reserves the right to request additional technical information from interconnection customer. If interconnection customer modifies its proposed point of interconnection, interconnection request, or the technical information provided therein is modified, the time to complete the interconnection system impact study may be extended.

 

5.         The interconnection system impact study report shall provide the following information:

 

5.1       Identification of any equipment short circuit capability limits exceeded as a result of the interconnection,

 

5.2       Identification of any thermal overload or voltage limit violations resulting from the interconnection,

 

5.3       Identification of any instability or inadequately damped response to system disturbances resulting from the interconnection, and

 

5.4       Description and non-binding estimated cost of facilities required to interconnect the distributed generation facility to EDC's electric distribution system and to address the identified short circuit, thermal overload, voltage and instability issues as required under Section 466.120(e)(2).

 

6.         Interconnection customer shall provide a study deposit equal to 100% of the estimated non-binding study costs at least 20 business days prior to the date upon which the study commences.

 

7.         The interconnection system impact study, if required, shall be completed and the results transmitted to interconnection customer within 25 business days after this Agreement is signed by the Parties.

 

8.         Study fees shall be based on actual costs and shall be invoiced to interconnection customer after the study is transmitted to interconnection customer. The invoice shall include an itemized listing of employee time and costs expended on the study.

 

9.         Interconnection customer shall pay any study costs that exceed the deposit within 30 calendar days after receipt of the invoice. EDC shall refund any excess deposit amount within 30 calendar days of the invoice.

 

In witness thereof, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers or agents on the day and year first above written.

 

 

[Insert name of interconnection customer]

 

Signed:
Name (Printed):			Title:

 

 

[Insert name of EDC]

 

Signed:
Name (Printed):			Title:

Attachment A to Interconnection System Impact Study Agreement

 

Assumptions Used in Conducting the Interconnection System Impact Study

 

The interconnection system impact study shall be based upon the results of the interconnection feasibility study, subject to any modifications in accordance with Section 466.120 of the Illinois Distributed Generation Interconnection Standard, and the following assumptions:

 

1.  Point of interconnection and configuration to be studied.

 

2.  Alternative Points of interconnection and configurations to be studied.

 

Note: 1 and 2 are to be completed by the interconnection customer. Any additional assumptions (explained below) may be provided by either the interconnection customer or the EDC.

 

Section 466.APPENDIX G   Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement

 

Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement

 

This agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into this

day of

by and between

("interconnection customer"), as an

individual person, or as a

organized and existing under the

laws of the State of

, and

("Electric Distribution

Company" (EDC)), a

existing under the laws of the

State of Illinois.  Interconnection customer and EDC each may be referred to as a "Party", or collectively as the "Parties".

 

Recitals:

 

Whereas, interconnection customer is proposing to develop a distributed generation facility or modifying an existing distributed generation facility consistent with the interconnection request

application form completed by interconnection customer on

(Date)

; and

 

Whereas, interconnection customer desires to interconnect the distributed generation facility with EDC's electric distribution system; and

 

Whereas, EDC has completed an interconnection system impact study and provided the results of said study to interconnection customer (unless proceeding directly from Level 1, 2 or 3 review); and

 

Whereas, interconnection customer has requested EDC to perform an interconnection facilities study to specify and estimate the cost of the equipment, engineering, procurement and construction work needed to interconnect the distributed generation facility;

 

Now, therefore, in consideration of and subject to the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.         All terms defined in Section 466.30 of the Illinois Distributed Generation Interconnection Standard shall have the meanings indicated in that Section when used in this Agreement.

 

2.         Interconnection customer elects and EDC shall cause an interconnection facilities study consistent with Section 466.120 of the Illinois Distributed Generation Interconnection Standard.

 

3.         The scope of the interconnection facilities study shall be determined by the information provided in Attachment A to this Agreement.

 

4.         An interconnection facilities study report (1) shall provide a description, estimated cost of distribution upgrades, and a schedule for required facilities to interconnect the distributed generation facility to EDC's electric distribution system; and (2) shall address all issues identified in the interconnection system impact study (or identified in this study if the system impact study is combined herein).

 

5.         Interconnection customer shall provide a study deposit of 100% of the estimated non-binding study costs at least 20 business days prior to the date upon which the study commences.

 

6.         In cases where no distribution upgrades are required, the interconnection facilities study shall be completed and the results shall be transmitted to interconnection customer within 15 business days after this Agreement is signed by the Parties. In cases where distribution upgrades are required, the interconnection facilities study shall be completed and the results shall be transmitted to interconnection customer within 30 business days after this Agreement is signed by the Parties.

 

7.         Study fees shall be based on actual costs and will be invoiced to interconnection customer after the study is transmitted to interconnection customer. The invoice shall include an itemized listing of employee time and costs expended on the study.

 

8.         Interconnection customer shall pay any actual study costs that exceed the deposit within 30 calendar days on receipt of the invoice. EDC shall refund any excess deposit amount within 30 calendar days after the invoice.

 

In witness whereof, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers or agents on the day and year first above written.

 

 

[Insert name of interconnection customer]

 

Signed:
Name (Printed):			Title:

 

 

[Insert name of EDC]

 

Signed:
Name (Printed):			Title:

Attachment A to Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement

 

Minimum Information That Interconnection Customer Must Provide With the Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement.

 

Provide location plan and simplified one-line diagram of the distributed generation facilities.

 

For staged projects, please indicate size and location of planned additional future generation.

On the one-line diagram, indicate the generation capacity attached at each metering location. (Maximum load on CT/PT).

 

On the one-line diagram, indicate the location of auxiliary power. (Minimum load on CT/PT) Amps.

 

One set of metering is required for each generation connection to the EDC's electric distribution system.

 

Number of generation connections:

 

Will an alternate source of auxiliary power be available during CT/PT maintenance?

 

Yes

No

 

Will a transfer bus on the generation side of the metering require that each meter set be designed for the total distributed generation capacity?

 

Yes

No

(Please indicate on the one-line diagram).

 

What type of control system or PLC will be located at the distributed generation facility?
What protocol does the control system or PLC use?

 

Please provide a scale drawing of the site. Indicate the point of common coupling, distribution line, and property lines.

 

Number of third party easements required for EDC's interconnection facilities:

 

 

To be completed in coordination with EDC. 

 

Is the distributed generation facility located in EDC's service area?

 

		Yes	No
If No, please provide name of local provider:

 

 

Please provide the following proposed schedule dates:

 

Begin construction date:
Generator step-up transformers receive back feed power date:
Generation testing date:
Commercial operation date:

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 862, effective January 20, 2017)