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The North Carolina Solar Center: Programs of Interest to LMOP. Landfill Methane Outreach Program 6 th Annual Conference & Project Expo January 7, 2003 Stephen S. Kalland NC Solar Center - NC State University (919) 513-1896 Steve_Kalland@ncsu.edu. The North Carolina Solar Center.
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The North Carolina Solar Center:Programs of Interest to LMOP Landfill Methane Outreach Program 6th Annual Conference & Project Expo January 7, 2003 Stephen S. Kalland NC Solar Center - NC State University (919) 513-1896 Steve_Kalland@ncsu.edu
The North Carolina Solar Center • Created in 1988 as a “spin-off” of Solar House that was constructed in 1981 - became university center in 1992 • NCSU College of Engineering • Mission: to help integrate renewable energy into state energy policy and portfolio for homes, schools, institutions, businesses, vehicles • Partners: NCSU College of Engineering, NC State Energy Office, NC Dept of Natural Resources, USDOE, NREL, DUKE Solar, IREC, NAIMA, BP, other corporations
Relevant Programs • NC GreenPower • Industrial Extension Programs • DSIRE Project • National Interconnection Project • Net Metering and Simplified Interconnection (States and FERC)
NC GreenPower • NC Solar Center has seat on program Advisory Board and Strongly Supports LFG Technologies in the Program • Statewide Green Power Program • Demand Driven – 100 kWh Blocks Sold • Separate “Premium” and “Bulk Purchase” Products • Projected LFG Premium 3.3 ¢ – 2.5¢
Industrial Extension Programs • NCSU and the Solar Center • NCSC RE Industrial Assessment Program • Industrial Extension Service (IES) • Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) • Industries of the Future (IOF) • Wood products, Chemicals, Agriculture, Mining
EnergyXchange formed to develop the Yancey/Mitchell County landfill project. “North Carolina is a national pioneer in developing landfill gas utilization projects for small landfills. At the small Yancey/Mitchell County landfill a unique partnership of public, private, nonprofit, economic and educational consortiums worked together to implement a unique plan. A second project at Avery County has secured funding and the gas collection system will be installed in the fall of 2000.” -- From EPA 430-R-00-010, A Primer on Developing North Carolina’s Landfill Gas Utilization Potential
DSIRE Project • Current & Accurate Information on Incentives, Programs & Policies • Access to Documentation & Legislation • Links to Program Websites • Contact Information • Search Capabilities • Summary Tables and Maps
DSIRE Project Modules • State Financial Incentives • State Regulatory Policies & Programs • Utility Programs & Incentives • Schools Going Solar • Local Gov’t & Community Programs & Incentives • Federal Incentives
FinancialIncentives • Grants, Rebates & Loans • Personal Tax Incentives • Corporate Tax Incentives • Sales Tax Incentives • Property Tax Incentives • Industry Recruitment • Leasing & Sales Programs • Production Incentives
Rules, Regulations & Policies • Public Benefits Funds • Generation Disclosure • Renewables Portfolio Standards • Net Metering & Interconnection • Line Extension Analysis • Solar & Wind Access Laws • Construction & Design Policies • Contractor Licensing • Equipment Certification • Installer Certification/Accreditation • Required Green Power Programs
Investment & Awareness • Education & Assistance Programs • Outreach & Research Centers • Demonstration Projects • Green Aggregation • Green Pricing Programs
National Interconnection Project • Sponsored by IREC and US DOE • www.irecusa.org/connect • Technical Assistance to States and Utilities for Developing Interconnection Rules • Interconnection Workshops • Direct Q&A Response • Project Serves As an Information Clearinghouse on Interconnection Issues • Interconnection Newsletter • “Connecting to the Grid” Website - www.irecusa.org/connect
Interconnection Cost • This issue is seen as greatest barrier to DG by customer, DOE and EPA LMOP • Line study and upgrade cost need to be determined by CP&L in a timely fashion • Will require 100kVa 3 Ø transformer bank • Can charge upgrade against Schedule CSP-20B at 1% per month • Metering requirements need to be determined by CP&L, but should be less than $500
What Is Net Metering? • Allows customers to spin their meter backward, using excess renewable generation to offset utility-purchased electricity on a periodic basis (usually a monthly billing period, sometimes an annual period); • Effectively values all renewable generation (up to parity) at retail rates; any excess generation is sold at the lower ‘avoided cost’ rate, or is uncompensated; • Most meters used in residential and small commercial applications are bi-directional, making net metering easy to implement without meter replacement.
Status of Net Metering • ~39 States have at least some areas with net metering available • Latest News: • The Good - WY, DC, FL? • The Bad (but not too bad) - OH • The Ugly - CO, MO • Others - KS, IN, UT, KY, WV
Net Metering Programs:Not All Are Created Equal ~39 states have “something”
Net Metering Programs:Not All Are Created Equal • 7 States Limit by Class (i.e. Residential, Commercial, Industrial) • 12 States Do Not Include All Types of Electricity Providers (i.e. IOUs, Munis, and Coops) Net Metering For All Consumers
Net Metering Programs:Not All Are Created Equal The Next Step Is To Identify Which States Have Simple Procedures for Technical Interconnection and Contractual Agreements Simple Net Metering For All Consumers Interconnection Issues -No Simple Standard Agreement Form -Interconnection Not Addressed or Requires More Than IEEE, UL and NEC only
Interconnection: Technical Issues • The Problem: • Utilities are responsible for maintaining the safety and reliability of the grid, and have legitimate concerns about the interconnection of equipment to the network. • BUT, utilities face a conflict of interest because they have an incentive to discourage self-generation by customers. • The Solution: • Uniform adherence to codes and standards developed by nationally-recognized independent authorities, such as IEEE, UL, and NEC.
Technical Standards Adoption • Twenty-two states have adopted interconnection standards for net metering based on UL/IEEE • A number of additional states are addressing interconnection standards • States have started addressing interconnection standards outside of the net metering context -- very important for larger RE applications not eligible for net metering
Adoption of Technical Standards Solid - rules process complete Striped - rules process in progress
Adoption Is Not Implementation • Streamlining interconnection involves three essential steps: • Development of standards => (almost) DONE! • Adoption of standards => IN PROGRESS . . . • Implementation of standards => STILL TO COME . . . • Example -- California: Implementation required nearly five years, and required the repeated intervention of the legislature, the PUC, the CEC, CalSEIA and other stakeholders
FERC Interconnection – Small Generators • Would standardize interconnection for all generator interconnections • FERC has expedited procedures for small generators under 20 MW • Small Generator representatives detailed the 20 MW exemption for: • 2 to 20 MW | below 2 MW
Application Process Overview Generator Application >20MW? • Scope of process shrinks considerably when expedited • ANOPR defines a series of criteria depending on size threshold Yes >2MW? Full Application Process Yes Meets Criteria? Expedited Application Process Yes Super Expedited Application Process Interconnect Agreement
Size Threshold Categories • Less than 2 MW (Attachment A) • certified equipment • de minimis grid impact • no transmission • Load response only? • 2-20MW (Attachment B) • check for transmission impacts • could follow Att. A
When will all of this be over? • Consensus document filed Nov. 14 • Comments due on ANOPR – Dec 20 • FERC “Queing” Technical Conference – Jan 21 • FERC to issue proposed Rule ~ Feb/Mar • New rule in place ~ May/June 2003
For More Information Interconnection & Green Power Issues Steve Kalland Associate Director, Policy and Development NC Solar Center at NC State University 919-513-1896 steve_kalland@ncsu.edu DSIRE Project Sue Gouchoe Manager, Policy Analysis NC Solar Center at NC State University 919-513-3078 sue_gouchoe@ncsu.edu