MINNESOTA POWER UTILITY GENERATOR
However, an example of a generator modification process is modifying Eaton Power Xpert Solar 1670 kW inverters with Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation (TMEIC) PVL-L1833GRQ-EG 1666 kW inverters. An example of a generator replacement is replacing a retiring coal unit with solar. MISO’s generator replacement process should not be confused with the generator modification process because the latter is solely for generators modifying a technology that has no impact on the nameplate capacity. However, utilities must start a new interconnection application if adverse impacts are found. If no adverse impacts are found in both studies, which could take six months, things proceed quickly for an interconnection agreement. MISO conducts two studies when they receive a replacement request (designated with “R” in the queue) – replacement impact study and reliability assessment study for a $60,000 study deposit. MISO’s generator replacement process is not a slam dunk for utilities either. While retiring old units and replacing them with new and efficient units is rewarding both to the utility investors and the customers, it is coming at the expense of distributed solar.
MINNESOTA POWER UTILITY MANUAL
Minnesota utilities are utilizing Generator Replacement Process (MISO Business Practices Manual BPM-015 Section 6.7.2) to hold on to their current transmission reservations at locations where fossil fuel units are generating.
As a result, distributed energy resources can access existing energy efficiency incentives since they provide efficiencies by reducing utility-scale solar curtailment risk and transmission charges for the customers while providing grid benefits. Even though each investor-owned utility is different, if all utilities move in this direction, distributed solar would be at a disadvantage to access energy market benefits outlined in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 2222 because of delays in the MISO generator interconnection queue.Īn alternative for state and federal energy policymakers is to insist that utilities bring distributed solar and storage under the energy efficiency definition. But that diminishes distributed scale solar prospects. The strategy is to keep their existing MISO interconnection rights at the retiring unit locations. The next frontier goes beyond the shift from fossil fuels to renewables and moves toward different power resources working together.ĭue to interconnection delays, Minnesota utilities plan to replace their fossil fuel generators with utility-scale solar in Integrated Resource Plans.