Fundamentals of Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection

May 29, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

0524-der-interconnection

Optimized distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide valuable grid services that contribute to greater grid efficiency, reliability, and reduced costs. In order to realize these benefits, state public service commissions and utilities must adopt well-designed DER interconnection procedures that support the rapid, efficient, cost-effective, and safe and reliable integration of DERs with the grid.

This introductory course will cover the key procedural elements of interconnection but will focus especially on the technical aspects of interconnection. Our expert instructors will  provide a comprehensive overview of:

• the essential elements of state DER interconnection regulations
• key challenges with DER interconnection today
• best practices for addressing challenges
• procedural considerations (the application process, timelines, queue management)
• engineering issues (technical standards, the interconnection review process)

Register now for this in-depth training session and take advantage of our discounts for teams of 5 or more, starting at 20% off!

Learning Outcomes

• Discover which states have adopted statewide interconnection tariffs, and why statewide rules are important
• Review the essential elements of DER interconnection regulations
• Explore the interconnection process, from application to permission to operate
• Review the interconnection screening and study process
• Review the applicable technical standards that should be included in interconnection regulations
• Explore challenges and solutions specific to energy storage interconnection, including enabling scheduled operations

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 : Central Time

9:00 – 9:05 a.m. :: Overview and Instructions

9:05 – 9:30 a.m. :: Course Introduction

• About You
• About IREC

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. :: Essential Elements of DER Interconnection Procedures

• The steps of the interconnection process, from application submission to permission to operate
• Key technical and procedural challenges with and solutions for the current process

10:30 – 10:40 a.m. :: Morning Break

10:40 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. :: Introduction to the Interconnection Screening and Study Process

• Overview of the interconnection screening and study process
• Walk-through of best practices for streamlining the screening and study process while ensuring continued safe and reliable interconnection

12:10 – 1:10 p.m. :: Lunch Break

1:10 – 2:10 p.m. :: Introduction to Technical Standards

• Overview of key technical standards applicable to DER interconnection
• Walk-through of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1547-2018 standard

2:10 – 3:10 p.m. :: Introduction to Energy Storage Interconnection

• Key barriers to enabling energy storage to operate in export-controlled mode
• Key solutions to enable scheduled operations of storage systems

3:10 – 3:25 p.m. :: Afternoon Break

3:25 – 4:25 p.m. :: Looking Ahead: Flexible Interconnection and V2G

• What is flexible interconnection and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) integration, and what are their benefits
• Emerging solutions to implement flexible interconnection and V2G

4:25 – 4:30 p.m. :: Course Adjournment

Radina Valova, Regulatory Vice President, Interstate Renewable Energy Council

As Vice President of IREC’s Regulatory Program, Radina Valova provides strategic direction and oversight of IREC’s regulatory team. Radina has ten years of experience in energy and climate law and policy, with a focus on the electric and gas utility sectors, utility transformation, and a just transition to a decarbonized economy for underserved and disadvantaged communities. Prior to joining IREC, Radina served as a Senior Staff Attorney for the Pace Energy and Climate Center in White Plains, New York, where she led the Center’s engagement in New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision, developed policy solutions for decarbonizing the buildings sector, and pushed for clean and affordable energy for low- and moderate-income communities. Radine is a graduate of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, with JD Certificates in Environmental and International Law, and an LL.M. in Land Use and Sustainable Development.

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Brian Lydic, Chief Regulatory Engineer, Interstate Renewable Energy Council

Brian Lydic, Chief Regulatory Engineer for IREC, has been active in renewable energy since 2005. He started out designing and installing residential and small commercial PV, solar thermal, and wind energy systems for a company based in Ann Arbor, MI. In 2007, he joined Fronius as an Applications Engineer for solar electronics, supporting customers with design and field issues as well as leading numerous trainings for installers, designers, and salespeople. In his role as Sr. Standards & Technology Engineer, Brian tracked standards and regulatory, technology, and market issues as they related to product development for Fronius. As Regulatory Engineer for IREC, he continues to work with regulatory stakeholders to further the organization’s mission to increase access to sustainable energy and energy efficiency. He is a member of UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 working groups, helping to improve the grid integration of PV systems. Brian is a founding member and chair of the Forum on Inverter Grid Integration Issues (FIGII), an ad-hoc consortium of PV experts which seeks to address emerging high penetration issues through research and standardization. Working with utilities, manufacturers, and experts, Brian helps to craft and revise technical requirements for grid interconnection in California, Hawaii, and elsewhere. Brian holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

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Midhat Mafazy, Regulatory Program Engineer, Interstate Renewable Energy Council

Midhat Mafazy, Regulatory Program Engineer for IREC, holds a BS in Physics from Illinois State University (Normal, IL) and a Master of Engineering from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI). Midhat joined IREC with six years of experience in the utility industry. He began as an Intern for a Fortune 500 utility in 2014. There he performed cost-benefit analysis of energy storage systems used as investment deferrals at utility substations (NWA solutions). Midhat joined the utility full-time in 2015 and transitioned to primarily Distributed Energy Resources (DER) roles. For two years, he worked at the utility microgrid facility (Champaign, IL) where he was involved in numerous tests, facility upkeep, as well as providing public tours of the world-renowned utility-scale microgrid. Midhat continued to expand his portfolio and began to oversee DER Integration, Standards, Policies & Strategies, DER pilots, and the grid of the future projects. In his role as a DER Integration Engineer, Midhat was instrumental in specifying the Illinois Smart Inverter rebate, offering incentives to non-residential customers with Smart Inverters in the state. He maintained and updated the company’s DER policies and standards, and quite often, served as a link between DER-related research and the company’s DER pilot engagements. Midhat has partnered with peer utilities around the country and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on projects related to DER interconnection best practices and smart inverter field deployment. Before joining IREC, Midhat served as a technical lead in Illinois grid interconnection proceedings, responding to comments and data requests.

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Fundamentals of Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection

May 29, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before April 26, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.6 CEUs for this event.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in for the entirety of the event to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Case studies and PowerPoint presentations will be used in this program.

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 7.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

Anyone who is interested in learning more about DER interconnection, and especially how DER projects are reviewed in order to ensure safe and reliable grid integration while supporting the rapid and cost-efficient deployment of clean energy resources. This includes policy, engineering, and regulatory staff from utilities, public service commission, DER developers, manufacturers, and others.