Innovations and Efficiencies in Generator Interconnection Workshop (Day 2 of 2)

Docket No. AD24-9-000 | Event Registration

Take notice that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) will convene a staff-led workshop in the above-referenced proceeding. The purpose of this workshop is to provide a public forum for the presentation and discussion of opportunities for further innovation and increased efficiency in the generator interconnection process.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 and Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The workshop will be held in Hearing Room 1 at Commission headquarters, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.

The workshop will be open to the public to attend virtually or in person and there is no fee for attendance.

The conference will be held in-person. The tentative topics and panels for the workshop appear below. A detailed agenda with the final list of topics and panels, selected speakers, presentation dates, and times for the selected speakers will be published on the Commission’s website[1] and in eLibrary at a later date.

This conference will bring together experts from diverse backgrounds including project developers, transmission owners and providers, government, research centers, and academia. The conference will bring these experts together for the purposes of identifying and discussing potential innovations and efficiencies related to generator interconnection.

Request for Comments

On September 20, 2024, Advanced Energy United, the American Clean Power Association, the American Council on Renewable Energy, the Edison Electric Institute, and the Solar Energy Industries Association (collectively the “Energy Industry Associations”) filed a motion for a 30-day extension of time, from October 15, 2024 to November 14, 2024, to submit comments in response to the staff-led workshop held on September 10 and 11, 2024 in this proceeding.

The Energy Industry Associations assert that reviewing the voluminous record and material necessary to prepare comments creates time and resource pressures in addition to their ongoing work to participate in other Commission dockets. In particular, Energy Industry Associations point to the October 15, 2024 deadline to submit initial comments on the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Implementation of Dynamic Line Ratings in Docket No. RM24-6-000. The Energy Industry Associations also note that on October 11, 2024, responses are due to the regional transmission owner/independent system owner filings submitted in response to the Commission’s June 13, 2024 order to show cause on the practice of unilateral election of transmission owner initial funding.[1]

Upon consideration, notice is hereby given that the deadline to submit comments in response to the staff-led workshop in this proceeding is extended 30 days, from October 15, 2024, to and including November 14, 2024.

Topics

The Day 1 Innovations Panels will discuss enhancements to current generator interconnection processes that may build upon the reforms in Order No. 2023.[1]

(Inn.1) Innovations Panel 1, integrated transmission planning and generator interconnection, will explore the extent to which transmission planning and generator interconnection processes may be further integrated beyond the reforms adopted in Order No. 1920.[2] This panel will explore ideas to more efficiently and proactively plan for and interconnect new generation with increased cost certainty.

(Inn.2) Innovations Panel 2, further changes, will examine the viability and utility of different approaches to organizing, processing, and studying generator interconnection requests, such as an ERIS-focused (or “connect and manage”) process, the use of competitive mechanisms (e.g., an auction process to allocate scarce capacity or to resolve competition for the same point of interconnection), or other potential approaches.

(Inn.3) Innovations Panel 3, prioritizing generator interconnection requests, will examine whether proposed generating facilities may be prioritized in the interconnection queue beyond the use of first-ready, first-served cluster window deadlines and readiness milestones as adopted by Order No. 2023 without undue discrimination.

The Day 2 Efficiencies Panels will discuss incremental changes to current generator interconnection processes that may build upon the reforms in Order No. 2023.

(Eff.1) Efficiencies Panel 1, the generator interconnection process, will evaluate the potential for increased efficiency throughout the generator interconnection process (excluding topics covered in Efficiencies Panels 2 and 3), such as, for example, providing additional pre-application data to interconnection customers or establishing fast-tracking processes for interconnection requests at points of interconnection with fewer system constraints.

(Eff.2) Efficiencies Panel 2, automation, will assess opportunities for greater efficiency in the processing and study of interconnection requests by automating different steps in the process and using advanced computing technologies such as artificial intelligence to shorten the timeline from interconnection request to interconnection agreement.[3]

(Eff.3) Efficiencies Panel 3, post-generator interconnection agreement construction phase, will discuss opportunities for greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the design, construction, and operation of interconnection facilities and network upgrades.

[1] Improvements to Generator Interconnection Procs. & Agreements, Order No. 2023, 184 FERC ¶ 61,054, order on reh’g, 185 FERC ¶ 61,063 (2023), order on reh’g, Order No. 2023-A, 186 FERC ¶ 61,199 (2024).

[2] Building for the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation, Order No. 1920, 187 FERC ¶ 61,068 (2024).

[3] Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad term for a spectrum of tools ranging from data validation on the simple side, to machine learning and statistical modeling in the middle, to deep learning and generative AI on the complex side of the spectrum.

[1] Midcontinent Indep. Sys. Operator, Inc., 187 FERC ¶ 61,170 (2024), order dismissing reh’g, 188 FERC ¶ 61,211 (2024).

Attendee Registration

Attendees are requested to register through the Commission’s website on or before August 26, 2024 by filling out the following SurveyMonkey form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DBQ2GRB. Registration will help ensure that Commission staff can provide sufficient physical and virtual facilities and to communicate with attendees in the case of unanticipated emergencies or other changes to the conference schedule or location. Access to the conference (virtual or in-person) may not be available to those who do not register by August 26.

Foreign Nationals Participating or Attending in Person

Any foreign nationals participating as a panelist or attending in-person as an audience member must email ian.reichardt@ferc.gov by August 26 with the following information:

Full first and last name (i.e., given name and surname/family name)
Passport number
Country of Origin
Date of Birth

This information will only be used for a security screening required by federal policy. Foreign nationals attending virtually do not need to submit this information or take any additional action.

Participation

Individuals interested in participating as panelists should submit a self-nomination email no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on July 12, 2024, to Panelist_InterconnectionWorkshop@ferc.gov. The self-nominations should have “Panelist Self-Nomination” in the subject line and include the panelist’s name, contact information, organizational affiliation, one-paragraph biography, the panel the self-nominated panelist proposes to speak on, and a description of what they would like to discuss. Speakers are encouraged to build on existing developments in generator interconnection. Presentations that center on pending contested proceedings or pending requests for variations submitted in compliance with Order No. 2023 are discouraged.

Accessibility

FERC conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations please send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov or call toll free (866) 208-3372 (voice) or (202) 502-8659 (TTY), or send a fax to (202) 208-2106 with the required accommodations.

The workshop will be transcribed and webcast. Transcripts will be available for a fee from Ace Reporting (202-347-3700). A link to the webcast of this event will be available in the Commission Calendar of Events at www.ferc.gov. The Commission provides technical support for the free webcasts. Please call 202-502-8680 or email customer@ferc.gov if you have any questions.

Contact

For further information about this workshop, please contact:

Michael G. Henry (Technical Information)

Office of Energy Policy and Innovation

202-502-8583

Michael.Henry@ferc.gov

Lewis Taylor (Legal Information)

Office of General Counsel

202-502-8624

Lewis.Taylor@ferc.gov

[1] https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events/innovations-and-efficiencies-generator-interconnection-workshop-docket-no-ad24-9

September 11 Agenda

Time	Details
9:00 am – 9:15 am:	Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15 am – 11:45 am:	Efficiencies Panel 1: Further Efficiencies in the Generator Interconnection Process This panel will evaluate the potential for increased efficiency throughout the generator interconnection process as revised in the Commission’s Order No. 2023[1] (excluding topics covered in Efficiencies Panels 2 and 3), such as providing additional pre-application data to interconnection customers to allow for more efficient decision-making or establishing fast-track processes for interconnection requests at points of interconnection with fewer transmission system constraints. Questions: What specific types of additional pre-application data provided to interconnection customers would facilitate greater efficiencies in the application phase and the rest of the generator interconnection process? How would these types of data be helpful to interconnection customers? Are there inefficiencies or complications associated with providing these types of additional pre-application data? Regarding potential fast-track processes: Of the existing fast-track processes, such as California ISO’s independent study process, which work well? What about them could be improved or emulated to achieve greater efficiencies? For interconnection requests that have little or minimal impact on existing transmission capacity, should there be a fast-track process or other prioritization method? What types of remedial or mitigation mechanisms could address instances where inadvertent oversights or technical difficulties result in milestone failures, and interconnection customers do not learn of these issues in time to file a waiver request? In such instances, where good faith and a significant consequence to not meeting the particular milestone are also present, how may transmission providers modify their tariffs to reach a balanced resolution that enhances the stability of the interconnection process while also ensuring that only viable generating facilities remain in the queue? What other opportunities exist to increase the efficiency of the existing generator interconnection procedures and agreements? Panelists: Chris Barker – Managing Director, Transmission & Grid Integration, Clearway Energy Group Donnie Bielak – Director, Interconnection Planning, PJM Interconnection, LLC Jonathan E. Canis – General Counsel, Oceti Sakowin Power Authority Brian Fitzsimons – CEO, GridUnity, Inc. Caitlin Marquis – Managing Director, Advanced Energy United Joe Rand – Energy Policy Researcher, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Martin Wyspianski – Vice President of Electric Engineering, Electric Asset Management, Pacific Gas and Electric Company [1] Improvements to Generator Interconnection Procs. & Agreements, Order No. 2023, 184 FERC ¶ 61,054, order on reh’g, 185 FERC ¶ 61,063 (2023), order on reh’g, Order No. 2023-A, 186 FERC ¶ 61,199 (2024).
11:45 pm – 1:00 pm:	Lunch
12:45 pm – 2:30 pm:	Efficiencies Panel 2: Automation and Advanced Computing Technologies This panel will assess opportunities for greater efficiency in the processing and study of interconnection requests by automating different steps in the process and using advanced computing technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to shorten the timeline from interconnection request to generator interconnection agreement.[1] Questions: Please describe the different steps in the generator interconnection process that may be automated and your experience automating these steps, including data entry, base case model building, running power flow studies, and identifying solutions. How can automation reduce errors, improve study repeatability and transparency, or address workforce needs? Are you using AI tools in your generator interconnection processes? Are these AI tools part of or separate from your work on automation? What have been the advantages and disadvantages of adopting these AI tools? Looking across the electric power industry, how common is the use of AI tools? Looking across the electric power industry, how common is automation in the different steps of the generator interconnection process (e.g., model building) today? What do you think are the main challenges to broader adoption of automation? Do the Commission’s existing regulatory frameworks and/or utility processes present any impediments in these areas? If so, what are the impediments? What role can the Commission play in supporting the adoption of automation in the generator interconnection process? What reforms, if any, would you recommend that the Commission consider pursuing to facilitate greater automation in the processing and study of interconnection requests? Recognizing that a lack of standardized data inputs and outputs can create challenges, how can automation reduce variability between studies done by a given transmission provider or reduce variability of studies between transmission providers? In developing the base case model, what role can automation play to address rapidly changing load forecasts or to improve the coordination of generator interconnection and transmission planning? Panelists: Clayton Barrows – Senior Researcher and Manager of the Grid Operations Planning Group, National Renewable Energy Laboratory David Bromberg – Co-Founder and CEO, Pearl Street Technologies Cody Doll – Sr. Manager of Transmission Business Management, at NextEra Energy Resources Andrew Martin – Co-Founder and Transmission Lead, Nira Energy Anton Ptak – Director of Transmission and Interconnection, EDF Renewables Jennifer Swierczek – Manager Generator Interconnection, Southwest Power Pool [1] Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad term for a spectrum of tools ranging from simple data validation to more sophisticated machine learning and statistical modeling, to advanced deep learning and generative AI.
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm:	Break
2:45 pm – 4:30 pm:	Efficiencies Panel 3: Post-Generator Interconnection Agreement Construction Phase This panel will focus on the time period after execution of a generator interconnection agreement (GIA), or its filing unexecuted, through the commercial operation date (COD). Topics include opportunities for greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability in cost and time estimates for interconnection facilities and network upgrades, as well as identifying other problems that contribute to delays, such as supply chain issues, which may benefit from organized cooperation among stakeholders. Questions: What are the primary cost and timing concerns arising during the period between execution, or unexecuted filing, of a GIA and the COD? To the extent that cost increases and delays for interconnection facilities and network upgrades are becoming more frequent, what are the primary drivers of those issues? Are there productive ways to increase transparency around construction plans and progress of interconnection facilities and network upgrades, such as CAISO’s quarterly forum to track the status of network upgrades, SPP’s quarterly transmission project tracking report, or California’s newly instated metrics for tracking distribution-level interconnection timeframes? What construction metrics for interconnection facilities and network upgrades would be most informative? How much documentation is reasonable and not unduly burdensome? Are there new approaches to sourcing equipment for interconnection facilities and network upgrades that could be more efficient? What safeguards would need to be in place for engineering, procurement, and construction work for such facilities to begin earlier? Is there a way to pool equipment purchasing or risk? Are there efficiencies that may be achieved by standardizing engineering, procurement, or construction of interconnection facilities and network upgrades? Would pooling procurement of equipment provide manufacturers with the certainty needed to increase their manufacturing capacity thereby reducing lead times? Are there efficiencies that may be gained by enhancing internal transmission owner or RTO/ISO procedure, increasing staffing, or by opening up interconnection facility studies and/or interconnection facility construction work to contractors? How can the interconnection study process be better aligned with interconnection customer-initiated processes, such as permitting for the generating facility and generator equipment procurement? Panelists: Lionel Chailleux – Senior VP, Market Development North America, Hitachi Energy. Matthew Crosby – Senior Director, Grid Integration, Cypress Creek Renewables Neil Millar – Vice President of Infrastructure and Operations Planning Organization, California ISO Jing Shi – Managing Director of Renewable Integration, Duke Energy Carrie Zalewski – Vice President of Transmission and Electricity Markets, American Clean Power Association
4:30 pm – 4:45 pm:	Closing Remarks

Event Details

Date and Time

Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 , 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT
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Location

Hearing Room 1 at Commission headquarters, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426

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