Adverse System Impact
A negative effect, due to technical or operational limits on conductors or equipment being exceeded, that may compromise the safety or reliability of the electric distribution system.
Affected System
A utility distribution system that is affected by the interconnection of a small generator to another company's distribution system without impacting a transmission system regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Applicant
A person who has submitted an interconnection request to interconnect a small generator facility to a utility's electric distribution system.
Area Network
A type of electric distribution system served by multiple transformers interconnected in an electrical network circuit, often used in large, densely populated metropolitan areas.
Certificate of Completion
A certificate on a form approved by the Commission containing information about the interconnection equipment to be used, its installation, and local inspections.
Certificate of Inspection
A document provided by the local municipality where the interconnection is to be made. The document certifies that all equipment has been properly installed in accordance with state and local codes. The certificate of inspection must be received by BGE in order for the Certificate of Completion to be accepted.
Commissioning Test
One of several tests applied to a small generator facility by the applicant after construction is completed to verify that the facility does not create adverse system impacts, including the test specified in Section 5.4 of IEEE Standard 1547.
Distributed Generation
Any electric generation facility connected to a distribution system through the point of common coupling (PCC). The term is synonymous with other commonly used phrases such as self-generation, on-site generation, co-generation, and "inside the fence generation."
Distribution Upgrade
A required addition or modification to the utility electric distribution system, excluding the interconnection facilities, necessary to accommodate the interconnection of a small generator facility.
Draw-Out Type Circuit Breaker
A molded case switching device that:
a. Can be inserted into or removed from its enclosure during no-load conditions; and,
b. Is capable of making, carrying, and breaking currents under normal and abnormal circuit conditions.
Electric Distribution System
a. The facilities and equipment used to transmit electricity generally at less than 69 kV to ultimate usage points such as homes and industries from interchanges with higher voltage transmission networks that transport bulk power over longer distances.
b. Has the same meaning as the term Area EPS as defined in Section 3.1.6.1 of IEEE Standard 1547.
Energy Star®
A government-backed product labeling program that identifies energy-efficient products that can be purchased by consumers and businesses. Energy Star® is not related to interconnection or renewable energy procedures. Please see the Maryland Energy Star® Program Web site for more information.
Fault Current
The electrical current that flows through a circuit during an electrical fault condition, such as when one or more electrical conductors contact ground or each other.
Green Power
Energy from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind.
IEEE Standard 1547
The standard incorporated by reference in COMAR 20.50.02.02.
IEEE Standard 1547.1
The standard incorporated by reference in COMAR 20.50.02.02.
Interconnection Customer
An entity that proposes to interconnect a small generator facility to an electric distribution system.
Interconnection Equipment
a. A group of components or integrated system connecting an electric generator with a local electric power system, or an electric distribution system.
b. All interface equipment including switchgear, protective devices, inverters, or other interface devices.
c. Includes equipment installed as part of an integrated equipment package that includes a generator or other electric source.
Interconnection Facilities:
a. Facilities and equipment required by the utility to accommodate the interconnection of a small generator facility.
b. Includes all facilities and equipment between the small generator facility and the point of interconnection and modifications, additions, or upgrades that are necessary to physically and electrically interconnect the small generator facility to the electric distribution system.
c. Includes any utility distribution system upgrade.
Interconnection Process
The process of getting approval from your utility 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 utility's electric distribution system. Requests for interconnection of distributed generation fall into one of two categories:
a. PJM Interconnection Process: Customers who wants to participate in PJM's Wholesale Market by selling energy or capacity into it shall submit a Generation Interconnection Request to PJM.
b. BGE Interconnection Request: Customers who want to parallel their generation to the BGE electrical system to supply a portion of their load, but do not want to participate in PJM's Wholesale Energy Market, shall submit a Generation Interconnection Request to BGE.
Interconnection Request
An applicant's request on a form approved by the Commission for the interconnection of a new small generator facility, or to increase the capacity or operating characteristics of an existing small generator facility that is interconnected with the utility's electric distribution system.
Interconnection Study
An interconnection feasibility study, interconnection system impact study, or interconnection facilities study. Note: 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 shall be performed when a potential distribution system adverse system impact is identified in the interconnection feasibility study. An Interconnection Facilities Study is a study of the construction requirements needed to interconnect.
Line section
That portion of a utility electric distribution system connected to an interconnection customer, bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices, or the end of the distribution line.
Local Electric Power System
a. Those facilities that deliver electric power to a load that are contained entirely within a single premises or group of premises.
b. Has the same meaning as the term local electric power system as defined in Section 3.1.6.2 of IEEE Standard 1547.
Megawatt
1,000 kilowatts; a metric conversion for power generation. Note: 1000 watts equals 1 kilowatt.
Minor Equipment Modification
A change to the proposed small generator facility that does not have a significant impact on the safety or reliability of the electric distribution system.
Nameplate Capacity
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 listed on a nameplate physically attached to the power production equipment.
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
A qualified private organization recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to perform independent safety testing and product certification.
Net Energy Metering
An incentive program available to consumers with qualifying distributed generation systems. Qualifying small generation 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. Distributed generation facilities are equipped with special meters that have the capability to turn backwards when electric power is generated in excess of power consumed.
Parallel Operation
The sustained state of operation over 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.
Point of Interconnection
a. The point where the small generator facility is electrically connected to the electric distribution system.
b. Has the same meaning as the term "point of common coupling," as defined in Section 3.1.13 of IEEE Standard 1547.
Primary Line
A distribution line rated at greater than 600 volts.
Queue Position
The order of a completed interconnection request, relative to all other pending completed interconnection requests, that is established based upon the date and time of receipt of the completed interconnection request by the utility.
Radial Distribution Circuit
A circuit configuration in which independent feeders branch out radially from a common source of supply.
Scoping Meeting
A meeting between the applicant and utility 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
A service line subsequent to the primary line that is rated for 600 volts or less, also referred to as the customer's service line.
Shared Transformer
A transformer that supplies secondary source voltage to more than one customer.
Small Generator Facility
a. The equipment used to generate or store electricity that operates in parallel with the electric distribution system with a nameplate capacity equal to or less than 10 MW.
b. An electric generator, a prime mover, and the interconnection equipment required to safely interconnect with the electric distribution system or local electric power system.
Spot Network
a. A type of electric distribution system that uses two or more inter-tied transformers to supply an electrical network circuit.
b. Generally used to supply power to a single customer or a small group of customers.
c. Has the same meaning as the term is defined in 4.1.4 of IEEE Standard 1547.
Standard Small Generator Interconnection Agreement
Set of standard forms approved by the Commission of interconnection agreements which are applicable to interconnection requests pertaining to small generating facilities.
UL Standard 1741
The Underwriters Laboratories' standard titled "Inverters, Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems," November 7, 2005 edition.
Witness Test
For lab-certified or field-approved equipment, verification either by an on-site observation or review of documents by the utility that the interconnection installation evaluation required by Section 5.3 of IEEE Standard 1547 and the commissioning test required by Section 5.4 of IEEE Standard 1547 have been adequately performed.
