N.M. Admin. Code § 17.9.568.16

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 23, December 10, 2024

Section 17.9.568.16 - FAST TRACK PROCESS

A.Application: An interconnection customer must submit an interconnection application, pursuant to Subsection B of 17.9.568.13 NMAC, using the standard interconnection application form provided in Appendix 1B, which may be sent electronically to a recipient designated by the utility. The application fee specified in Subsection A of 17.9.568.23 NMAC shall be submitted along with the interconnection application.

B.Fast track screening: The utility shall evaluate the interconnection application using the following fast track initial review screens.

(1)Screen 1: For interconnection of a proposed generating facility to the load side of network protectors, the proposed generating facility must utilize a certified inverter-based equipment package and its nameplate rating, together with the nameplate rating of the aggregated other inverter-based generation, shall not exceed fifty percent of the secondary network's relevant minimum load.

(2)Screen 2: Until December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed generating facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the generating facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed generating facility, may not exceed one hundred percent of the relevant minimum load (or fifteen percent of maximum load if minimum load data is unavailable) normally supplied by the distribution circuit. After December 31, 2023, for interconnection of a proposed generating facility to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate export capacity of the generating facilities connected to the distribution circuit, including the proposed generating facility, may not exceed one hundred percent of the relevant minimum load normally supplied by the distribution circuit.

(3)Screen 3: For interconnection of a proposed generating facility that can introduce inadvertent export, where the nameplate rating minus the export capacity is greater than 250 kW, the following inadvertent export screen limit is required. With a power change equal to the nameplate rating minus the export capacity, the change in voltage at the point on the medium voltage (primary) level nearest the point of interconnection does not exceed three percent. Voltage change will be estimated applying the following formula:

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(4)Screen 4: If the proposed generating facility is to be interconnected on a single-phase shared secondary, the aggregate export capacity on the shared secondary, including the proposed generating facility, shall not exceed sixty-five percent of the transformer nameplate power rating.

(5)Screen 5: If the proposed generating facility is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 120/240 volt service, its addition shall not create an imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service of more than twenty percent of the nameplate rating of the service transformer.

(6)Screen 6: The starting voltage dip shall be less than five percent and the flicker requirements of IEEE 1547TT-2018 must be met. This screen only applies to generating facilities that start by motoring the generator(s).

(7)Screen 7: When measured at the primary side (high side) of a dedicated distribution transformer serving a generating facility, the sum of the short circuit current contribution ratios of all generating facilities connected to utility's distribution system circuit that serves the generating facility must be less than or equal to 0.1.

(8)Screen 8: The generating facility, aggregated with other generation on the distribution circuit, will not cause any distribution protective devices and equipment (including but not limited to substation breakers, fuse cutouts, and line reclosers), or utility customer equipment on the system, to exceed ninety percent of the short circuit interrupting capability; nor is the interconnection proposed for a circuit that already exceeds ninety percent of the short circuit interrupting capability.

(9)Screen 9: The generating facility complies with the applicable type of interconnection, based on the table below. This screen includes a review of the type of electrical service provided to the interconnecting customer, including line configuration and the transformer connection to limit the potential for creating over-voltages on the utility's electric power system due to a loss of ground during the operating time of any anti-islanding function.

Primary Distribution Line Type	Type of Interconnection to Primary Distribution Line	Result/Criteria
Three-phase, three-wire	If ungrounded on primary or any type on secondary	Pass screen
Three-phase, four-wire	Single-phase line-to-neutral	Pass screen
Three-phase, four-wire or mixed three-wire and four-wire	All others	Pass screen for inverter-based generation if the aggregate nameplate rating, including the nameplate rating of the proposed project, is [LESS THAN EQUAL TOO] 100% feeder or line section minimum load, or * if minimum load data is not available: [LESS THAN EQUAL TOO] 30% feeder or line section peak load. Pass screen for rotating generation if the aggregate nameplate rating, including the nameplate rating of the proposed project, is: [LESS THAN EQUAL TOO] 33% of feeder or line section minimum load, or * if minimum load data isn't available: [LESS THAN EQUAL TOO] 10% of feeder or line section peak load.

(10)Screen 10: If the generating facility's point of interconnection is behind a line voltage regulator, the generating facility's export capacity is less than 250 kW.

C.Fast track screening results: Within 15 business days after the utility notifies the applicant that the interconnection application is complete, the utility shall notify the applicant of the initial review results and include with the notification copies of the analysis and data underlying the utility's determinations under the screens. If one or more screens are not passed, the utility shall provide, in writing, the specific screens that the interconnection application failed, including the technical reason for failure. The utility shall provide information and detail about the specific system threshold or limitation causing the interconnection application to fail the screen.

D.Approval: For all interconnection applications that pass initial review and do not require interconnection facilities or distribution upgrades, utility shall provide applicant with an interconnection agreement no later than 15 business days of providing notice of initial review results, except where a utility is required to provide notice to the transmission provider as outlined in Paragraph (1) of Subsection D of 17.9.568.16 NMAC. Despite the failure of one or more screens, the utility, at its sole option, may approve the interconnection provided such approval is consistent with safety and reliability. For interconnection applications that fail initial review but the utility determines the interconnection application can be approved with minor modifications, the utility shall provide the applicant with a non-binding cost estimate of the minor modifications and an interconnection agreement within 5 business days of providing notice of initial review results.

(1) If a utility's transmission service agreement requires that it notify the transmission provider of interconnections (of any size or beyond a specific threshold as specified in the transmission service agreement), the utility shall provide the notice to the transmission provider immediately after it has applied the fast track screens. If the transmission provider determines that it does not need to conduct a further analysis of transmission system impacts, the utility shall provide the interconnection agreement to the customer within three business days of receiving the transmission provider's determination. If the transmission provider does require further analysis, the utility shall coordinate with the interconnection applicant and the transmission provider to ensure such analysis is conducted in a timely manner.

(2) If the transmission provider determines that there are impacts that require upgrades, the utility shall follow the detailed study process in 17.9.568.18 NMAC for providing the customer with an interconnection agreement.

E.Failed screens: For interconnection applications that fail initial review, at the time it provides the screen results, the utility shall provide the applicant the option to either attend a customer options meeting or proceed directly to supplemental review. The applicant must notify the utility of its selection within 10 business days or the interconnection application will be deemed withdrawn.

F. The utility shall use the screens identified above to evaluate the interconnection application and shall not impose arbitrary limitations on interconnection (i.e., limiting interconnection to projects less than fifty percent of the circuit's rated capacity) without a valid technical reason. that is provided to the applicant in writing with an explanation. In providing detail about the specific system threshold or limitation causing the interconnection applicant to fail the screen, the utility shall provide an estimate of the cost of and expected timeline for conducting necessary upgrades to accommodate the interconnection application.

G. Reference point of applicability review:

(1) The following process will occur concurrently with the fast track screening process in Subsection C of 17.9.568.16 NMAC. Within five business days after the utility notifies the applicant that the interconnection application is complete, the utility shall review the reference point of applicability denoted by the applicant and determine if it is appropriate.

(2) If it is determined that the reference point of applicability is appropriate, the utility will notify the applicant when it provides the fast track screen results and proceed according to Subsections C through F of 17.9.568.16.

(3) If the utility determines the reference point of applicability is inappropriate, the utility will notify the applicant in writing, including an explanation as to why it requires correction. Applicant shall provide the utility with a corrected interconnection application with the proper reference point of applicability within five business days of notification. During this time the utility will proceed with applying the fast track screens. The utility shall review the revised interconnection request within five business days of receipt to determine if the revised reference point of applicability has been appropriately denoted. If correct, the utility will proceed according to Subsections C through F of 17.9.568.16 NMAC. If the applicant does not provide the appropriate reference point of applicability or a request for an extension of time within the deadline, the interconnection application will be deemed withdrawn.

H.Customer options meeting: Within 10 business days of the utility's completion of its initial review, the utility shall offer to convene a customer options meeting with the applicant to review possible interconnection customer facility modifications or the screen analysis and related results to determine what further steps are needed to permit the generating facility to be connected safely and reliably. At the time of notification of the utility's determination, or at the customer options meeting, the utility shall:

(1) Offer to perform facility modifications or minor modifications to the utility's electric system (e.g., changing meters, fuses, relay settings) and provide a non-binding good faith estimate of the limited cost to make such modifications to the utility's electric system and offer to continue the screening process; or

(2) Offer to perform a supplemental review if the utility concludes that the supplemental review might determine that the generating facility could continue to qualify for interconnection pursuant to the fast track process, and provide a non-binding good faith estimate of the costs and time of such review; or

(3) Offer to continue evaluating the interconnection application under the full interconnection study process.

N.M. Admin. Code § 17.9.568.16

17.9.568.16 NMAC - N, 10/15/08, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIV, Issue 03, February 14, 2023, eff. 2/14/2023