DISTRIBUTED GENERATION RULES & REGULATIONS

The Cooperative will allow distributed generation (DG) in accordance with applicable state and federal rules and regulations.

Member’s desiring to operate generators in parallel with the Cooperative’s system will be permitted to do so in accordance with this policy and all other applicable Cooperative policies and procedures.

  1. The member must contact the Cooperative for a copy of the DG application form and associated documents and will be required to complete and return the application and associated documents to the Cooperative.
  2. Prior to processing the member’s application, the member must submit a non-refundable DG Application Fee and Engineering/Inspection Fee. Specific sizes of DG installations may require a non-refundable Distribution System Study Fee.
  3. The member will be required to enter into a written agreement covering the installation and operation of the member’s generator system in parallel with the Cooperative’s system.
  4. The member shall provide the Cooperative with plans of their proposed installation including detailed electrical diagrams and other necessary data on the proposed generator system, including the interconnection device, for the Cooperative’s review and approval prior to installation. This approval process will include a review by the Cooperative of the effect of the proposed generation on the Cooperative’s distribution system, including its protective scheme. The member requesting interconnection may be required to pay the cost of this review. No installation will be permitted that reduces reliability to other members or causes voltage conditions on the system to be outside of the limits of ANSI C84.1 Range A. No installation will be permitted that is expected to produce objectionable harmonics on the system. Any mitigation required to resolve harmonic problems created by a member-owned generation shall be completed and paid for by the member.
  5. The control system shall provide for automatic separation, in two (2) seconds or less as per IEEE 1547, of the distributed generator from the Cooperative’s system in the event of a loss of power from the Cooperative’s electric system. The DG controls must wait five (5) minutes after the return of normal Cooperative system voltage and frequency before closing the breaker or switch which interconnects the DG to the Cooperative’s system.
  6. A LOCKABLE disconnecting device with a visible break suitable for use as a hold tag location shall be installed just beyond the meter and ahead of the generator input into the Cooperative’s system.
  7. The completed installation will be subject to a final inspection and test by the Cooperative before commencement of parallel operation is permitted. Also, the member shall agree to obtain approval from the Cooperative prior to making any revisions to the member’s energy source, its control systems or the interconnection between the two power systems after the initial installation.
  8. The member will receive and pay for the electric service to be furnished by the Cooperative on the appropriate rate schedule. The Cooperative’s meters shall be equipped with detents to avoid net metering for any power or energy fed back into the Cooperative’s system for generators that are above 20 KW. Excess energy will be purchased by the Cooperative at the Cooperative’s unbundled energy rate.
  9. The Cooperative may at any time install special meters or other apparatus as may be desired to monitor the operation of the two systems in parallel or to protect the safety of its employees or accuracy of its meters.
  10. The member will be responsible for the cost of any alterations to the Cooperative’s distribution system to interconnect the proposed generation to the Cooperative’s distribution system, including upgrade of conductor size or installation of transformers to accommodate the output of the unit.
  11. The installation shall meet the requirements of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1547 “Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems,” requirements of the National Electrical Code (ANSI/NFPA 70) latest edition, requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code (IEEE C2) latest edition, requirements of the State of Wisconsin, requirements of the local municipality and all Cooperative requirements, including, but not limited to, the engineering requirements of the Cooperative. The member shall certify that these requirements have been met and shall provide an electrical inspection by a certified inspector.
  12. The member making the installation shall indemnify and hold harmless the Cooperative and its agents, employees, officers, and directors from any and all claims, actions, damages, suits, liabilities, property damage, injury to persons, and losses resulting from the operation, non-operation or interconnection of member-owned generation equipment. In addition, the member shall carry liability insurance in an amount acceptable to the Cooperative, but no less than $300,000.00, to cover potential claims and the Cooperative named as an additional insured. A certificate of insurance shall be submitted to the Cooperative and the member shall notify the Cooperative if the insurance is ever discontinued or changed for any reason.
  13. The member shall sign with the Cooperative the necessary agreement for transmission service when the member wishes the Cooperative to transmit the output of its generator to another party. In addition, if the Cooperative is to supply standby service or synchronization service, the member shall pay to the Cooperative monthly fees to cover the costs to reserve capacity or provide an alternating current signal.
  14. Should the parallel operation of a generator cause interference with the Cooperative’s system or other members’ services, the member shall discontinue parallel operation until the condition has been corrected to the satisfaction of the Cooperative. Whether the Cooperative fixes or assists in fixing any such interference is within the complete discretion of the Cooperative and any costs associated with fixing any such interference shall be the responsibility of the member, in accordance with subjection (j) above.
  15. For generators that exceed the capacity of the Cooperative’s distribution system, the member must obtain an agreement with an appropriate energy marketer to purchase the output of the generator. The member must also make the necessary agreements for transmitting the power with the American Transmission Company (ATC) and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
  16. CWEC reserves the right to deny application approval for applicants that fail to adhere to all requirements set out in this section of the Cooperative’s Distributed Generation Rules and Regulations and/or fails to comply with Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC Chapter 119.

Commercial or industrial members proposing to install any type of distributed generation will be considered on an individual basis.

DISTRIBUTED GENERATION METERING

The Cooperative will furnish, install and maintain watt-hour meter(s) equipped to measure energy flow in and out of the member’s distributed generation location. Such metering will have the ability to record the energy generated by the member that is supplied to the Cooperative’s distribution system if the member generates excess energy. Excess energy
supplied to the Cooperative’s distribution system will be purchased by the Cooperative at the Cooperative’s unbundled energy rate. The Cooperative reserves the right to charge the member for metering costs above the standard for the rate class of the service.

The member shall furnish, install and maintain all additional wiring and equipment required for the installation of the member’s generating system. All wiring must be done in a manner acceptable to the Cooperative.