Policy & Regulation

What a cluster! NYISO updates its interconnection process to study groups of requests

,
What a cluster! NYISO updates its interconnection process to study groups of requests
NYISO control center (Credit: NYISO)

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) launched a new interconnection process featuring “significant improvements and enhancements” meant to evaluate large groups of interconnection requests at a time instead of individually. NYISO’s “Cluster Study” process and other modifications were developed in collaboration with stakeholders through the NYISO’s governance process in recent years.

“The launch of our new interconnection study process and the corresponding enhancements reflect our steadfast commitment to delivering the grid of the future,” said Rich Dewey, president and CEO of the New York Independent System Operator. “I want to thank our team of professionals and stakeholders for advancing these important improvements. This collaborative effort will deliver greater efficiencies and transparency in our interconnection process.”

Launched on August 1, NYISO’s new study process is conducted in two phases to evaluate a large group of interconnection requests collectively rather than individually, saving time and lightening the workload for the NYISO, utilities, and energy developers. NYISO said the timeframes set by the process represent a “significant reduction” in its overall interconnection process from its previous procedures. Additionally, the study process limits the number of mid-stream project modifications so that delays for a single project don’t impact the progress of other projects looking to advance through the interconnection process.

NYISO has also tweaked its interconnection portal, the digital platform where developers and utilities submit and gain information on pending interconnection proposals and applications. The changes are intended to enhance the user experience and streamline the process. Specifically, energy developers will have more visibility of their project progress and status, NYISO said.

The need for interconnection reform is hardly limited to NYISO territory. Earlier this year, FERC and the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) Board of Governors approved a suite of changes designed to increase reliability and help keep down costs. CAISO said the changes were needed because it had become “impossible” to process and analyze in a timely and meaningful manner the hundreds of interconnection applications that poured into the ISO each of the past several years.

Reforms approved by CAISO built on requirements established last July by FERC Order No. 2023, which set new standards for interconnection processes around the country.

Tags