D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 15, r. 15-4099
When used in this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the following meaning:
"Adverse System Impact" - means a negative effect, due to technical or operational limits on conductors or equipment being exceeded, that compromises the safety and reliability of the Electric Distribution System.
"Affected System" - means an electric system not owned or operated by the Electric Distribution Company reviewing the Interconnection Request that may suffer an Adverse System Impact from the proposed interconnection.
"Advanced Inverter" - means inverter(s) with a digital architecture, bidirectional communications, and software that enables functionalities providing autonomous grid support and enhance system reliability, along with the capability to adjust their operational set points in response to the changing characteristics of the grid through dedicated communications protocols and standards. The advanced inverter must enable, at the minimum, the following functionalities, as defined in IEEE Standard 1547 - 2018: dynamic and real power support, voltage ride - through, frequency ride - through, voltage support, frequency support, and ramp rates.
"Area Network" - means a type of Electric Distribution System served by multiple transformers interconnected in an electrical network circuit, which is generally used in large metropolitan areas that are densely populated. Area networks are also known as grid networks. Area network has the same meaning as the term distribution secondary grid networks in Section 9.2 of IEEE Standard 1547.
"Approval to Install" - means written notification that the Small Generator Facility is conditionally approved for installation contingent upon the terms and conditions of the Interconnection Request, and the EDC may provide such conditional approval by furnishing to Interconnection Customer an EDC - executed copy of the Interconnection Agreement.
"Authorization to Operate" - means written notification that the Small Generator Facility is approved for operation under the terms and conditions of the District of Columbia Small Generator Interconnection Rules.
"Certificate of Completion" - means a certificate in a completed form approved by the Commission containing information about how the Interconnection Equipment is to be used, its installation, and local inspections.
"Commission" - means the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia.
"Commissioning Test" - means the tests applied to a Small Generator Facility by the Interconnection Customer after construction is completed to verify that the facility does not create Adverse System Impacts. The scope of the Commissioning Tests performed shall include the Commissioning Test specified IEEE Standard 1547 Section 11.2.5 "Commissioning tests".
"Community Renewable Energy Facility"or "CREF" - means an energy facility with a capacity no greater than five (5) megawatts that:
"Distribution System Upgrade" - means a required addition or modification to the EDC's Electric Distribution System at or beyond the Point of Common Coupling to accommodate the interconnection of a Small Generator Facility. Distribution upgrades do not include interconnection facilities.
"District of Columbia Small Generator Interconnection Rule (DCSGIR)" - means the most current version of the procedures for interconnecting Small Generator Facilities adopted by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia.
"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. For the purposes of these regulations, the draw - out circuit breaker shall be capable of being locked in the open, draw - out position.
"Electric Distribution Company" or "EDC" - means an electric utility entity that distributes electricity to customers and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.
"Electric Distribution System" or "EDS" - means 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 sixty - nine (69) kilovolts of electricity. Electric distribution system has the same meaning as the term Area EPS, as defined in IEEE Standard 1547.
"Energy Storage" - means a resource capable of absorbing electric energy from the grid, from a behind - the - meter generator, or other DER, storing it for a period of time and thereafter dispatching the energy for use on - site or back to the grid, regardless of where the resource is located on the electric distribution system. These resources include all types of energy storage technologies, regardless of their size, storage medium (e.g., batteries, flywheels, electric vehicles, compressed air), or operational purpose.
"Facilities Study" - means 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 such modifications as necessary to accommodate an Interconnection Request.
"Fault Current" - means the electrical current that flows through a circuit during an electrical fault condition. A fault condition occurs when one (1) 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. Fault current is several times larger in magnitude than the current that normally flows through a circuit.
"Generation Meter" - means the meter used to capture the level of customer generated electricity at an Interconnection Customer's premise. The Generation Meter shall be owned, operated, and maintained as distribution plant by EDC, unless the Interconnection Customer is a CREF (see "Production Meter").
"Good Utility Practice" - means any of the practices, methods and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the electric utility industry during the relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods and acts which, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result of the lowest reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety and expedition. Good Utility Practice is not intended to be limited to the optimum practice, method or act to the exclusion of all others, but rather to be acceptable practices, methods, or acts generally accepted in the region.
"Governmental Authority" - means any federal, State, local or other governmental regulatory or administrative agency, court, commission, department, board, or other governmental subdivision, legislature, rulemaking board, tribunal, or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Interconnection Customer and EDC, respective facilities, or services provided, and exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, police, or taxing authority or power; provided, however, that such term does not include the Interconnection Customer, EDC or any affiliate thereof.
"IEEE Standard 1547" - refers to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Standard 1547 (2018) "Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces," as amended and supplemented at the time the Interconnection Request is submitted.
"IEEE Standard 1547.1" - refers to the IEEE Standard 1547.1 (2015) "Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems," as amended and supplemented at the time the Interconnection Request is submitted.
"Interconnection Customer" - means a person or entity that has submitted either an Interconnection Request to interconnect a Small Generator Facility to the EDC's Electric Distribution System or a Pre-Application report to get information about EDC's electrical distribution system at a proposed Point of Common Coupling.
"Interconnection Equipment" - means a group of equipment, 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" - means facilities and equipment required by the EDC to accommodate the interconnection of a Small Generator Facility. Collectively, Interconnection Facilities include all facilities and equipment between the Small Generator Facility and the Point of Common Coupling, including modifications, additions, or upgrades that are necessary to physically and electrically interconnect the Small Generator Facility to the Electric Distribution System. Interconnection Facilities are sole use facilities and do not include Distribution System Upgrades, Generation Meter(s), or Usage Meter(s).
"Interconnection Request" - means an Interconnection Customer's application and interconnection agreement, in a form approved by the Commission, requesting to interconnect a new Small Generator Facility, or to increase the capacity or modify operating characteristics of an existing approved Small Generator Facility that is interconnected with the EDC's Electric Distribution System.
"Interconnection System Impact Study" - means a study performed by the EDC which evaluates the impacts of the proposed interconnection on both the safety and reliability of the EDC's Electric Distribution System. The study seeks to identify and detail the Adverse System Impacts that result when a Small Generator Facility is interconnected without project modifications or Distribution System Upgrades, focusing on EDC-identified or potential Adverse System Impacts.
"Line Section" - means that portion of the EDC's Electric Distribution System connected to an Interconnection Customer, bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices or the end of the distribution line.
"Local Electric Power System" or "Local EPS" - means facilities that deliver electric power to a load that are contained entirely within a single premises or group of premises. Local electric power system has the same meaning as the term Local Electric Power System defined in IEEE Standard 1547.
"Microgrid" - means a collection of interconnected loads, generation assets, and advanced control equipment, installed across a limited geographic area and within a defined electrical boundary that is capable of disconnecting from the larger Electric Distribution System. A Microgrid may serve a single customer with several structures or serve multiple customers. A Microgrid can connect and disconnect from the distribution system to enable it to operate in both interconnected or island mode.
"Modified Level 1 or Level 2 Scoping Meeting" - means a meeting between representatives of the Interconnection Customer and EDC conducted for the purpose of reviewing the Interconnection Request, existing studies relevant to the Interconnection Request, the conditions at the proposed location, and the results of the Level 1 or Level 2 Adverse System Impact screening criteria, and a technical explanation in which the EDC describes the need for Interconnection Facilities and/or a Distribution System Upgrade to accommodate the Interconnection Request.
"Nameplate Capacity" - means the maximum rated output of a generator, prime mover, or other electric power production equipment under specific conditions designated by the manufacturer and is 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. NRTLs perform independent safety testing and product certification. Each NRTL shall meet the requirements as set forth by OSHA in the NRTL program.
"Parallel Operation" or "Parallel" - means the sustained state of operation over one hundred (100) milliseconds, which occurs when a Small Generator Facility is connected electrically to the Electric Distribution System and thus has the ability for electricity to flow from the Small Generator Facility to the Electric Distribution System.
"PJM Interconnection" - means the regional transmission organization that is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and functionally controls the transmission system for the region that includes the District of Columbia.
"Point of Common Coupling" - means the point where the Small Generator Facility is electrically connected to the Electric Distribution System. Point of common coupling has the same meaning as defined in IEEE Standard 1547.
"Primary Line" - means a distribution line rated at greater than six hundred (600) volts.
"Production Meter" - means the Generation Meter used to capture the level of customer-generated electricity at an Interconnection Customer's premise, when the Interconnection Customer is a CREF. In accordance with D.C. Official Code § 34-1518, the Production Meter shall be owned by the CREF and read by the EDC.8
"Production Test" - is defined in IEEE Standard 1547.
"Queue Position" - means the order of a valid Interconnection Request, relative to all other pending valid Interconnection Requests, that is established based upon the date and time of receipt of the complete Interconnection Request by the EDC.
"Radial Distribution Circuit" - means a circuit configuration where independent feeders branch out radially from a common source of supply. From the standpoint of a utility system, the area described is between the generating source or intervening substations and the customer's entrance equipment. A radial distribution system is the most common type of connection between a utility and load in which power flows in one direction from the utility to the load.
"Scoping Meeting" - means a meeting between representatives of the Interconnection Customer and EDC conducted for the purpose of discussing alternative interconnection options, exchanging information including any Electric Distribution System data and earlier study evaluations that would be reasonably expected to impact interconnection options, analyzing information, and determining the potential feasible points of interconnection.
"Secondary Line" - means a service line subsequent to the Primary Line that is rated for six hundred (600) volts or less, also referred to as the customer's service line.
"Shared Transformer" - means a transformer that supplies secondary source voltage to more than one customer.
"Small Generator Facility" - means the equipment used by an Interconnection Customer to generate or store electricity that operates in parallel with the Electric Distribution System and, for the purposes of this standard, is rated at twenty (20) MW or less. A Small Generator Facility typically includes an electric generator, Energy Storage, prime mover, and the Interconnection Equipment required to safely interconnect with the Electric Distribution System or Local Electric Power System as mutually agreed between the Interconnection Customer and EDC of the Interconnection Request.
"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 distribution secondary Spot Networks defined in Section 9.3 of IEEE Standard 1547.
"Standard Agreement for Interconnection of Small Generator Facilities", "Interconnection Agreement", or "Agreement" - means a set of standard forms of Interconnection Agreements approved by the Commission which are applicable to Interconnection Requests pertaining to small generating facilities. The agreement between the Interconnection Customer and the EDC, which governs the connection of the Small Generator Facility to the EDC's Electric Distribution System, as well as the ongoing operation of the Small Generator Facility after it is connected to the EDC's Electric Distribution System.
"UL Standard 1741" - means Underwriters Laboratories' standard titled "Inverters Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems," as amended and supplemented at the time the Interconnection Request is submitted.
"Usage Meter" - means the meter furnished by the EDC used to capture the level of electricity consumption at an Interconnection Customer's premise. The Usage Meter shall be owned, operated, and maintained as a distribution plant by the EDC.
"Witness Test" - means verification (either by an on - site observation or review of documents) by the EDC that the installation evaluation required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 11.2.4 and the Commissioning Test required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 11.2.5 have been adequately performed. For Interconnection Equipment that has not been certified, the Witness Test shall also include the verification by the EDC of the on - site design tests as required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 11.2.4 and verification by the EDC of Production Tests required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 11.2.3. All tests verified by the EDC are to be performed in accordance with the applicable test procedures specified by IEEE Standard 1547.1.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 15, r. 15-4099