4 Colo. Code Regs. § 723-3-3854

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 20, October 25, 2024

Section 4 CCR 723-3-3854 - Level 1 Process (25 kW Inverter Process)

This rule establishes the procedures for evaluating an interconnection request for a certified inverter-based interconnection resource no larger than 25 kW AC which may be paired with a non-exporting energy storage system no larger than 25 kW AC. The application process uses an all-in-one document (application) that includes a simplified interconnection request, simplified procedures, and a brief set of terms and conditions.

(a) General Level 1 procedures.

(I) The IC completes application and submits it to the utility.

(II) The utility acknowledges to the customer receipt of the application within three business days of receipt.

(III) The utility evaluates the application for completeness and notifies the customer within ten business days of receipt that the application is or is not complete and, if not, advises what material is missing.

(IV) Within ten business days, the utility shall verify whether the interconnection resource can be interconnected safely and reliability using the same screens as applied in Level 2 Process as set forth in rule 3855 except for screens (V), (VI), (X) and (XI) which will not be deemed necessary for the Level 1 Process (25 kW AC Inverter Process). If the interconnection fails these screens, the utility shall generally consider this a failure of the Level 2 Process screens in rule 3855. The utility shall continue the interconnection review under the Level 2 Process, starting at paragraph 3855(c), provided that the IC pays the difference in the Level 2 Process application fee and deposit requirements. The utility may also review the application within the ten-business day period to evaluate issues associated with highly seasonal circuits. However, if the proposed interconnection fails the screens, but the utility determines that the small generating facility may nevertheless be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards, the utility shall provide the IC an executable interconnection agreement within five business days after the determination.

(V) Provided all the criteria of this rule 3854 are met, unless the utility determines and demonstrates that the interconnection resource cannot be interconnected safely and reliably and requires upgrades, the utility approves and executes the application and returns it to the customer within ten business days.

(VI) After installation, the customer returns the certificate of completion to the utility. Prior to parallel operation, the utility may inspect the interconnection resource for compliance with standards, which may include a witness test, and may schedule appropriate metering replacement, if necessary. The utilities should define "witness test" in their interconnection tariff.

(VII) The utility shall notify the customer that parallel operation of the interconnection resource is authorized within ten business days of the certificate of completion. If the witness test is not satisfactory, the utility has the right to disconnect the interconnection resource. The customer has no right to operate in parallel until a witness test has been performed, or previously waived on the application. The utility is obligated to complete this witness test within ten business days of the receipt of the certificate of completion.

(b) Level 1 application.

(I) The customer must provide in the application the contact information for the legal applicant (i.e., the interconnection customer). If another entity is responsible for interfacing with the utility, that contact information must be provided on the application.

(II) The application is considered complete when it provides all applicable and correct information as required below. Additional information to evaluate the application may be required.

(III) The application shall include the following information, as applicable:

(A) Processing fee. A fee of ____________ must accompany this application.

(B) Interconnection customer:

Name

Contact Person

Address

City State Zip

Telephone (Day) and (Evening)

Fax Number and E-Mail Address

(C) Engineering firm or Installer (If applicable):

Contact Person

Address

City State Zip

Telephone

Fax and E-Mail Address

(D) Contact (if different from Interconnection Customer):

Name

Address

City State Zip

Telephone (Day) and (Evening)

Fax Number and E-Mail Address

Owner of the facility (include percent ownership by any electric utility)

(E) DER information:

Location (if different from above)

Utility

Account number

DER components

Inverter manufacturer: ___________ Model

Nameplate rating: (kW AC) (kVA) (AC Volts)

Single phase _______ Three phase _______

System design capacity: _________ (kW) _______ (kVA)

Prime mover: Photovoltaic Reciprocating Engine Fuel Cell Turbine Other

Energy source: Solar Wind Hydro Diesel Natural Gas Fuel Oil Other (describe)

Is the equipment UL1741 Listed? Yes ____ No ____

If yes, attach manufacturer's cut-sheet showing UL1741 listing

Estimated installation date: _________ Estimated in-service date:

The 25 kW AC inverter process is available only for inverter-based interconnection resources no larger than 25 kW AC that meet the codes, standards, and certification requirements of specified in certain of these interconnection rules, or the utility has reviewed the design or tested the proposed interconnection resources and is satisfied that it is safe to operate.

(F) List components of the small generating facility equipment package that are currently certified:

Equipment type certifying entity:

(G) Limited-Export / Non-Export / Limited-Import Data:

If multiple export control systems are used, provide for each control system and use additional sheets if needed.

Is export controlled to less than the Total Aggregate Nameplate Rating? Yes: No:

Method of export limitation: Power Control System / Reverse Power Protection / Minimum Power Protection / Other (describe):

Export controls are applied to how many generators? Multiple: One:

If Power Control System is used, open loop response time(s): _______________

Power Control System export capacity: (kW AC) (kVA)

Energy Storage System Power Control System operating mode:

Unrestricted: Export Only: Import Only: No Exchange:

Describe which Generators the export control system controls:

(H) Interconnection customer signature and certification:

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information provided in this Application is true. I agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions for Interconnecting an Inverter-Based interconnection resource No Larger than 25kW and return the Certificate of Completion when the interconnection resource has been installed.

Signed: ___________________________________________________________________

Title: Date:

Contingent approval to interconnect the small generating facility.

(For company use only)

Interconnection of the small generating facility is approved contingent upon the terms and conditions for interconnecting an inverter-based small generating facility no larger than 25 kW and return of the certificate of completion.

Company signature: ________________________________________________

Title: Date:

Application ID number: __________________

Company waives inspection/witness test? Yes ____ No ____

(c) Level 1 terms and conditions.

(I) Construction of the facility. The interconnection customer may proceed to construct the interconnection resource when the utility approves the interconnection request (the application) and returns it to the IC.

(II) Interconnection and operation. The IC may operate the interconnection resource and interconnect with the utility's electric system once all of the following have occurred:

(A) upon completing construction, the interconnection customer will cause the interconnection resource to be inspected or otherwise certified by the appropriate local electrical wiring inspector with jurisdiction;

(B) the customer returns the certificate of completion to the utility; and

(C) the utility has completed its inspection of the interconnection resource. All inspections must be conducted by the utility, at its own expense, within ten business days after receipt of the certificate of completion and shall take place at a time agreeable to the parties. The utility shall provide a written statement that the interconnection resource has passed inspection or shall notify the customer of what steps it must take to pass inspection as soon as practicable after the inspection takes place.

(D) The utility has the right to disconnect the interconnection resource in the event of improper installation or failure to return the certificate of completion.

(III) Safe operations and maintenance. The interconnection customer shall be fully responsible to operate, maintain, and repair the interconnection resource as required to ensure that it complies at all times with the interconnection standards to which it has been certified.

(IV) Access. The utility shall have access to the disconnect switch and metering equipment of the interconnection resource at all times. The utility shall provide reasonable notice to the customer when possible prior to using its right of access.

(V) Disconnection. The utility may temporarily disconnect the interconnection resource as allowed in the interconnection agreement and upon the following conditions:

(A) for scheduled outages per notice requirements in the utility's tariff or Commission rules;

(B) for unscheduled outages or emergency conditions pursuant to the utility's tariff or Commission rules; or

(C) if the interconnection resource does not operate in the manner consistent with these terms and conditions.

(D) The utility shall inform the interconnection customer in advance of any scheduled disconnection, or as is reasonable after an unscheduled disconnection.

(VI) Indemnification. The parties shall at all times indemnify, defend, and save the other party harmless from, any and all damages, losses, claims, including claims and actions relating to injury to or death of any person or damage to property, demand, suits, recoveries, costs and expenses, court costs, attorney fees, and all other obligations by or to third parties, arising out of or resulting from the other party's action or inactions of its obligations under this agreement on behalf of the indemnifying party, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing by the indemnified party.

(VII) The interconnection customer is not required to provide general liability insurance coverage as part of this agreement, or through any other utility requirement.

(VIII) Limitation of liability. Each party's liability to the other party for any loss, cost, claim, injury, liability, or expense, including reasonable attorney's fees, relating to or arising from any act or omission in its performance of the interconnection agreement, shall be limited to the amount of direct damage actually incurred. In no event shall either party be liable to the other party for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind whatsoever, except as allowed under subparagraph (c)(VI) of this rule.

(IX) Termination. The interconnection agreement to operate in parallel may be terminated under the following conditions.

(A) By the customer by providing written notice to the utility.

(B) By the utility if the interconnection resource fails to operate for any consecutive 12-month period or the customer fails to remedy a violation of these terms and conditions.

(C) Permanent disconnection. In the event the interconnection agreement is terminated, the utility shall have the right to disconnect its facilities or direct the customer to disconnect its interconnection resource.

(D) Survival rights. The interconnection agreement shall continue in effect after termination to the extent necessary to allow or require either party to fulfill rights or obligations that arose under the agreement.

(X) Assignment/Transfer of ownership of the facility. The interconnection agreement shall survive the transfer of ownership of the small generating facility to a new owner when the new owner agrees in writing to comply with the terms of the agreement and so notifies the utility.

4 CCR 723-3-3854

38 CR 17, September 10, 2015, effective 9/30/2015

39 CR 06, March 25, 2016, effective 4/14/2016

39 CR 08, April 25, 2016, effective 5/15/2016

40 CR 22, November 25, 2017, effective 12/15/2017

42 CR 03, February 10, 2019, effective 3/2/2019

42 CR 07, April 10, 2019, effective 4/30/2019

42 CR 09, May 10, 2019, effective 5/30/2019

43 CR 08, April 25, 2020, effective 5/15/2020

43 CR 12, June 25, 2020, effective 7/15/2020

43 CR 20, October 25, 2020, effective 11/14/2020

44 CR 13, July 10, 2021, effective 7/30/2021

44 CR 24, December 25, 2021, effective 1/14/2022

45 CR 18, September 25, 2022, effective 10/15/2022

46 CR 02, January 25, 2023, effective 2/14/2023