Title: Expediting Solar Integrations: Reviewing FERC’s New Transmission Rule
In light of the recent roar in the industry, I feel now is the appropriate time to discuss the implications of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) new transmission rule for green energy projects including solar arrays for homes. As a solar expert, I believe understanding these changes is pivotal in making informed solar decisions.
To begin with, FERC’s recent transmission rule offers incisive insights into how grid-enhancing technologies and advanced conductors could accelerate interconnection of solar panels for your home on the transmission grid. However, Kat Gamache, a partner with a leading law firm, cautions that the rule might not bring immediate benefits for projects currently awaiting interconnection.
FERC Commissioner Allison Clements concurs, saying that while these technologies might not help today’s solar companies or projects immediately, their integration into economic and reliability planning processes could yield substantial improvements. FERC Order 1920 mandates transmission owners to ponder these grid-enhancing technologies when devising their 20-year transmission plans.
Despite recognizing three hindrances—financial, operational, and corporate—to a swift deployment of these technologies, Allison Clements and other solar experts argue that these advancements could be beneficial in making room on the grid now.
This discussion brings me to a crucial point: FERC must improve interconnection, following their Order 2023, to revise transmission providers’ interconnection processes. Clements suggests standardizing interconnection applications and employing machine learning to expedite studies.
Clements further alludes to promising discourses within the grid operator, SPP, about possibly setting a standardized fee per megawatt for interconnecting a generator. I echo her sentiment that regulatory bodies should focus on creating better interconnection efficiencies.
Going forward, we can be optimistic that grid regions who can successfully implement the new transmission rule will see major improvements.
The mention of the midcontinent grid operator MISO’s success story serves as a testament to challenging but possible changes. Just to reminisce, an agreement initiated in 2008 to build new transmission for connecting 300 MW wind projects to the grid took five years to materialize.
But, its success was remarkable! As soon as the transmission lines were energized, interconnections became incredibly fast and inexpensive as per Rob Gramlich, Grid Strategies President.
Finally, before wrapping up, it’s worth noting Commissioner Clements’s reminder that solar, wind, and storage account for more than 90% of the 2.6 terawatts generation in line to connect to the grid.
As a well-informed solar homeowner or a budding solar company, this knowledge can provide the foresight needed to navigate the solar industry. These new regulations might not bring immediate benefits, but their potential to revolutionize how we connect solar arrays for home to the grid is significant.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/06/04/a-new-federal-transmission-rule-wont-help-renewables-projects-anytime-soon/
