CA SMALL NEW ENERGY TO CONNECT

California ISO To Take New Perspective On Small-Generator Interconnection
10 September 2010 (Renew Grid)

"The California Independent System Operator Corp. (California ISO) says it is implementing a plan aimed at improving how it assesses the grid impact of small power-generation projects.

"The California ISO says small wind, solar and geothermal projects, taken collectively, affect the grid just as a single large generator does. In turn, the grid operator intends to…[examine] interconnection requests in clusters…[to move] projects through the study process…[and] minimize overbuilding and undue costs associated with transmission expansion…"

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Keith Casey, vice president of market and infrastructure development, California ISO:] "The current serial study process was designed when we were receiving 15 or 20 interconnection requests a year. That has increased to 150 small generator projects in the past two years…"

"The organization's board of governors has approved the plans, which will now move to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for consideration and approval…"