- What is BGE’s Small Generator Interconnection process?
- The purpose of the Small Generator Interconnection Process is to secure approval from BGE to interconnect a new small generator facility, or to increase the capacity or operating characteristics of an existing small generator facility that is interconnected with the electric distribution system.
- Does BGE sell renewable energy equipment such as solar panels and wind turbines?
- BGE does not sell renewable energy equipment.
- What is the scoping meeting associated with Level 4 generator interconnections?
- Level 4 small generators are more complex and can have significant electric system impacts that could affect other BGE customers. Therefore, Level 4 small generator applications cannot be streamlined as is the case with Level 1, 2 or 3 small generator applications. There is a requirement for scoping meetings and there may be requirements for interconnection feasibility studies, interconnection impact studies and interconnection facilities studies unless any of these studies are waived by BGE. During a scoping meeting, BGE will discuss with you and your representatives the scope of your interconnection request, including alternative interconnection options and determining the potential feasible points of interconnection. BGE will also exchange information, including any electric distribution system data and earlier study evaluations that reasonably would be expected to impact interconnection options. BGE will offer to hold this meeting within 10 days after a completed interconnection request is received.
- What are possible studies associated with Level 4 generator interconnection applications?
- There are three possible studies involved with Level 4 generator interconnection applications:
An interconnection feasibility study includes any necessary analyses for the purpose of identifying a potential adverse system impact to the utility's electric distribution system that would result from the interconnection.
A distribution interconnection system impact study must be performed when a potential distribution system adverse impact is identified in the interconnection feasibility study.
An interconnection facilities study is a study of the construction requirements needed to interconnect.
BGE will provide an outline of the scope of any studies required to evaluate your Level 4 interconnection application and provide a nonbinding, good faith estimate of the cost to perform each study at the appropriate phase of each project. You have 30 days to return the signed Study Agreements in each phase along with payment, or your interconnection request will be withdrawn. Upon completion of the interconnection facilities study, and with your agreement to pay for the interconnection facilities and distribution upgrades identified in the interconnection facilities study, BGE will provide you with a standard small generator interconnection agreement within 5 business days.
- Who should I contact if I have questions about BGE’s Small Generators Interconnection Process?
- You can submit questions regarding to the Small Generators Interconnection Process by emailing generator-questions@bge.com
- Who needs to be involved in the interconnection process?
- You, BGE, and any contractors involved in installing your system should be involved in the interconnection process.
- Why do I need to go through BGE’s Small Generator Interconnection Process?
- On March 25, 2008, the Maryland Public Service Commission adopted new regulations covering Maryland’s Small Generator Interconnection Standards. Effective June 9, 2008 all persons or entities in the State of Maryland who want to install generators up to 10,000 kW that will be connected for normal operation to an electric utility distribution system in Maryland have a consistent way of applying to BGE for interconnection using standard application forms, fees and processes that are the same for all MD utilities.
- How do I know whether my system is considered a small generator under the Maryland regulations?
- The regulations apply to all types of residential, commercial and industrial small generation resources which include but are not limited to generation technologies such as internal combustion engine generators, cogeneration steam turbines, gas turbines, wind turbines, solar cells, fuel cells, micro-turbines and combined heat and power systems. These regulations do not apply to persons or entities that desire to pursue back-up emergency generators that start only when power is lost (and are never connected to an electric utility distribution system) or if the generator operates such that it is never connected to an electric utility distribution system for more than 100 milliseconds. These regulations do not apply to generators the sell their power output into the PJM Interconnection wholesale market.
- What is the PJM Interconnection and the PJM Interconnection wholesale market?
- The PJM Interconnection is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM serves approximately 51 million people. PJM is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the regional power grid and for managing changes and additions to the grid to accommodate new generating plants, substations and transmission lines. PJM analyzes and forecasts the future electricity needs of the region and ensures that the growth of the electric system takes place efficiently, in an orderly, planned fashion, and that reliability is maintained. Wholesale sales of energy and/or capacity into the PJM markets from a generating facility that is connected to a local distribution facility or sub-transmission facility but that is not subject to FERC jurisdiction must follow the PJM small generator interconnection process, not the Maryland Small Generator Interconnection process.
- What is BGE’s Net Energy Metering Program?
- Net energy metering is a program available to customers with qualifying small generation systems. These systems include biomass, solar and wind electric generating facilities. Net energy metering enables customers to use their own power generation to offset their power consumption over a billing period. Many small generator sites can be equipped with special bi-directional meters that have the capability both to receive power in, or send power out, when electric power is generated in excess of power consumed.
Net energy metering can also include micro-turbines up to 30kW when used in combined heat and power energy installations.
- What if the meter runs backward more than it runs forward?
- If the energy generated by the customer-generator exceeds the energy supplied by the utility during the month, the customer-generator shall be required to pay only the Customer Charge for that billing month, as required by the Rate Schedule under which the customer-generator is receiving service. The utility will carry forward a negative kilowatt-hour reading until the customer-generator’s consumption of electricity from the grid eliminates the credit or the 12 month generation credit accrual period expires. Any remaining accrued generation credit at the expiration of the 12 month accrual period shall revert to the utility and may not be recovered by the eligible customer-generator.
- When do I need to start the Interconnection Process?
- Since many generator characteristics are required in the interconnection application, you may not be able to start the application process until after your system has been designed. It is important to begin the application process before you begin construction. This will allow BGE to review your application before your generator is constructed, which may help you avoid unnecessary construction costs should your design fail to meet the interconnection requirements.
- What if I already installed a generator that is connected to the distribution system but do not have the interconnection documents?
- If you have an existing small generator that requires an interconnection application under the Maryland Small Generator Interconnection rules but have never applied for interconnection, you will need to contact BGE and submit an application for interconnection unless (1) you already have net metering covered by BGE’s tariff or (2) if you are not net metered but have signed an operating and maintenance agreement with BGE.
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