Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-45.7

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 199-45.7 - Determining the review level

A utility shall determine whether an interconnection request should be processed under the Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 procedures by using the following screens.

(1) A utility shall use Level 1 procedures to evaluate all interconnection requests to connect a distributed generation facility when:

a. The applicant has filed a Level 1 application; and

b. The distributed generation facility has a nameplate capacity rating of 20 kVA or less; and

c. The distributed generation facility is inverter-based; and

d. The customer interconnection equipment proposed for the distributed generation facility is lab-certified; and

e. No construction of facilities by the utility shall be required to accommodate the distributed generation facility.

(2) A utility shall use Level 2 procedures for evaluating interconnection requests when:

a. The applicant has filed a Level 2 application; and

b. The nameplate capacity rating is 2 MVA or less for non-inverter-based systems. The Level 2 eligibility for inverter-based systems can be based on the following table.

Line Voltage	Level 2 Eligibility Regardless of Location	Level 2 Eligibility on a Mainline and < 2.5 Electrical Circuit Miles from Substation
< 5 kV	< 500 kVA	< 500 kVA
> 5kV and < 15kV	< 2MVA	< 3 MVA
> 15kV and < 30kV	< 3 MVA	< 4 MVA
> 30 kV and < 69 kV	< 4MVA	< 5 MVA

For purposes of this table, a mainline is the three-phase backbone of a circuit; and

c. The interconnection equipment proposed for the distributed generation facility is lab-certified; and

d. The proposed interconnection is to a radial distribution circuit or a spot network limited to serving one customer; and

e. No construction of facilities by the utility shall be required to accommodate the distributed generation facility, other than minor modifications provided for in subrule 45.9(6).

(3) A utility shall use Level 3 review procedures for evaluating interconnection requests to area networks and radial distribution circuits where power will not be exported based on the following criteria.

a. For interconnection requests to the load side of an area network, the following criteria shall be satisfied to qualify for a Level 3 expedited review:

(1) The applicant has filed a Level 3 application; and

(2) The nameplate capacity rating of the distributed generation facility is 50 kVA or less; and

(3) The proposed distributed generation facility uses a lab-certified inverter-based equipment package; and

(4) The distributed generation facility will use reverse power relays or other protection functions that prevent the export of power into the area network; and

(5) The aggregate of all generation on the area network does not exceed the lower of 5 percent of an area network's maximum load or 50 kVA; and

(6) No construction of facilities by the utility shall be required to accommodate the distributed generation facility.

b. For interconnection requests to a radial distribution circuit, the following criteria shall be satisfied to qualify for a Level 3 expedited review:

(1) The applicant has filed a Level 3 application; and

(2) The aggregated total of the nameplate capacity ratings of all of the generators on the circuit, including the proposed distributed generation facility, is 10 MVA or less; and

(3) The distributed generation facility will use reverse power relays or other protection functions that prevent power flow onto the electric distribution system; and

(4) The distributed generation facility is not served by a shared transformer; and

(5) No construction of facilities by the utility on its own system shall be required to accommodate the distributed generation facility.

(4) A utility shall use the Level 4 study review procedures for evaluating interconnection requests when:

a. The applicant has filed a Level 4 application; and

b. The nameplate capacity rating of the small generation facility is 10 MVA or less; and

c. Not all of the interconnection equipment or distributed generation facilities being used for the application are lab-certified.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-45.7

ARC 8859B, lAB 6/16/10, effective 7/21/10

Amended by IAB January 18, 2017/Volume XXXIX, Number 15, effective 2/22/2017