Small generators, especially those powered by renewable sources, are an essential part of Maryland's energy supply needs. Examples of Small Generator Interconnection equipment include:
- Wind turbines
- Photo voltaics (PV)
- Micro-turbines
- Small gas-turbine generators
- Fuel cells
- Solar panels
- Small internal combustion-engine generators (ICE)
- Small steam turbine units (cogeneration)
More and more customers are supplementing their power supply with small generator equipment. Some residential customers simply want to have back-up power in the event of an outage. Others (mostly industrial and commercial customers) want to ensure power reliability or sell the power they generate to others on the power grid.
Small Generator Interconnection is a general name for the process of registering and connecting small-scale power generation equipment to BGE's electric utility distribution system.
Effective June 9, 2008, the Maryland Public Service Commission (MD PSC) requires that all Small Generator Interconnection equipment that is/will be connected to BGE's electric utility distribution system be approved by BGE pursuant to the requirements of Section 20.50.09 of the Code of Maryland Regulations. Review the Maryland Standard Small Generator Interconnection Rule .
The regulations ensure that all persons or entities in the State of Maryland who want to install generators up to 10,000 kW (which will be connected for normal operation to an electric utility distribution system in Maryland) now have a consistent way of applying to BGE for interconnection using standard application forms, fees and processes.
The regulations apply to:
All types of residential, industrial and commercial small generation resources which include, but are not limited to, generation technologies connected to an electric utility distribution system (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).
The regulations do not apply to:
Residential or small-scale back-up emergency generators which only start when power is lost (and are never connected to an electric utility distribution system) or if the generator operates in such a way that it is never connected to an electric utility distribution system for more than 100 milliseconds.
Generally speaking, customers with residential small generator equipment that is not connected to the power grid are not required to apply to BGE for approval to interconnect. Similarly, customers with back-up generators only used during outages (for 100 milliseconds or less) do not need to apply.
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