{"id":98815,"date":"2022-06-07T14:51:48","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T18:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/?p=98815"},"modified":"2022-06-07T14:53:28","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T18:53:28","slug":"illinois-rule-changes-will-simplify-solar-storage-interconnection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarpowerworldonline.com\/2022\/06\/illinois-rule-changes-will-simplify-solar-storage-interconnection\/","title":{"rendered":"Illinois rule changes will simplify solar + storage interconnection"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Wednesday, May 25, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) made several changes to the state\u2019s rules governing how distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar panels and energy storage systems, connect to the state\u2019s electric distribution grid. The revisions to Illinois\u2019 interconnection rules include a number of positive developments that will streamline the interconnection process and reduce the time and cost to connect clean energy to the grid. They will also make it easier to utilize energy storage and provide increased transparency about interconnection review results.<\/p>\n

The changes reflect current best practices established through a collaborative research and policy project by utilities and clean energy advocates that resulted in a toolkit of solutions<\/a> for improving the interconnection of energy storage projects (\u201cthe BATRIES Toolkit\u201d). As one of the first states to incorporate these energy storage interconnection best practices, Illinois continues its role as a leader in climate change solutions. These changes build upon the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Illinois passed last year, one of the nation\u2019s most comprehensive state climate and energy laws.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese interconnection governance changes are necessary for the future of our energy grid and set the stage for groundbreaking programs promised by CEJA,\u201d said Will Kenworthy, regulatory director at Vote Solar. \u201cThe ICC\u2019s changes enable the renewable energy projects from CEJA to easily integrate into the grid and provide clean, reliable energy for all.\u201d<\/p>\n

These improvements resulted from the engagement of several public interest groups including the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC), Vote Solar, and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).<\/p>\n

\u201cThese cutting-edge updates to the interconnection process in Illinois will make it possible to add more renewable energy to the state\u2019s grid and offer a model for other states that want to lead the way to a clean energy future,\u201d said IREC regulatory VP Radina Valova.<\/p>\n

One of the key changes establishes protocols for utilizing some of the unique characteristics of energy storage that will make it possible for the state\u2019s grid to accommodate higher levels of renewable energy. That\u2019s because, when paired with energy storage, DER projects can limit the amount of energy they send onto the grid (\u201cnon-export\u201d and \u201climited-export\u201d projects). The amount of electricity a project will send to the grid is a key factor in whether it can interconnect without the need for lengthy study or costly equipment upgrades to ensure grid safety and reliability. Projects that export less or no electricity to the grid are less likely to cause issues.<\/p>\n

Because energy storage is a newer technology, most interconnection rules do not yet recognize the possibility of limiting export or have guidelines for handling such projects. The revised Illinois interconnection rules now recognize limited- and non-export projects and establish different review approaches that reflect a project’s limited export amount, where appropriate, when assessing potential grid impacts.<\/p>\n

There are several other noteworthy developments in the revised interconnection rules, including:<\/p>\n