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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 011423-6.G - DER PolicyRESOLUTION NO. ()128 2.3 - �. C-1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, AMENDING THE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCE (DER) INSTALLATION AND INTERCONNECTION POLICY; REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown's ("City") Electric Power Distribution Utility's primary object is to maintain the safety, reliability, and power quality of the electric power distribution system; and WHEREAS, on June 22, 2021 through Resolution No. 062221-V, the City previously adopted the DER Installation and Interconnection Policy ("DER Policy") to establish the DER application and inspection fees, provide for the safe interconnection of a customer -owned DER installation, and ensure the parallel operation of the City's electric power distribution system; and WHEREAS, it is the City's policy to recover all costs associated with DER installations and upgrades, and throughout 2022, the City determined that actual costs associated with DER installations and inspections were higher than anticipated; and WHEREAS, the City finds it necessary to amend the DER Policy to clarify system and application requirements and to update the fee schedule to ensure the City recovers costs associated with DER application and inspection. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN TEXAS: Section 1. The meeting at which this resolution was approved was conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this resolution are hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. Section 3. The DER Policy is hereby updated as shown in Exhibit A. Section 4. The City Manager or designee is further authorized to execute Interconnection Agreements pursuant to the DER Policy. Section 5. All resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are hereby repealed, and all other resolutions of the City not in conflict with the provisions of this resolution shall remain in full force and effect. Section 6. If any provision of this resolution, or application thereof, to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or Resolution No. Page 1 of 2 Subject: Updated DER Policy Date Approved'L3 application thereof, of this resolution, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared to be severable. Section 7. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this resolution and the City Secretary to attest. This resolution shall become effective and be in full force and effect immediately in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter of the City of Georgetown. PASSED AND APPROVED on the ; day of , 2023. ATTEST: CITY OF GF40RGETOWN, By: Robyn Den ore, City Secretary Josh APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sky asso , City Attorney Resolution No. ❑1. ALA r to. C4 Page 2 of 2 Subject: Updated DER Policy Date Approved�� CrV(.✓ Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Installation and Interconnection Policy The primary objective of the City of Georgetown's Electric Power Distribution Utility (Utility) is to maintain the safety, reliability, and power quality of the electric power distribution system. The purpose of the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Installation and Interconnection Policy is to ensure the safe interconnection of a customer -owned DER installation and the parallel operation to the City of Georgetown's Electric Power Distribution system. It is the Utility's policy to fully recover all the costs associated with the DER interconnection application review and inspection process. The Utility currently authorizes Residential and Small Commercial Customer -owned installation and interconnection of DER systems up to 10 kW -DC. Therefore, the Net Energy Metering rate is available to the DER installations that meet these requirements. The interconnection and parallel operation of a customer -owned DER System is governed by the City of Georgetown's fully executed Agreement for Interconnection (IC)and Parallel Operation Of Distributed Energy Resource (DER). This Policy shall apply to the entire City of Georgetown electric service territory as defined by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN). The Utility's DER interconnection application review and inspection process and the related fees outlined in this policy DO NOT replace the City of Georgetown's existing electric and construction permitting processes. This policy identifies the DER installation requirements, application submission and processing guidelines, installation inspection requirements, and the associated fees. All the outlined fees are non- refundable unless specified otherwise. The fees are reviewed atleast annually and presented to the City of Georgetown City Council for approval. The customer (applicant) requesting the DER interconnection is responsible for the DER system design, installation, compliance with the Utility's requirements, and payment of fees and costs associated with the DER interconnection application review and inspection process. The proposed DER installation and interconnection shall follow DER installation and interconnection requirements, the electric utility's engineering and construction standards, the Unified Development Code of the City of Georgetown, and the latest edition of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and National Electric Code (NEC). Any non-compliance with the electric utility requirements will result in the delay and/or denial of the DER interconnection request. DER Installation and Interconnection Application Submission and Processing DER systems up to 10 kW -DC The DER installation and interconnection application is accepted only through the Utility's authorized online submission portal. Once the DER installation and interconnection request is received the Utility will review the application for compliance with the Utility's requirements and notify the customer/installer/applicant of any objections, perform system impact review, followed by installation inspection, preparation, and approval of Interconnection Agreement. Step 1: Application Submission Installer/customer/applicant registers as an installer on to the Utility's authorized online submission portal by filling out the Installer Registration Form. If there are not any duplicate entries found or corrections needed for registration; the registration is approved by the Utility. Once registered, the installer/customer/applicant submits the DER installation and interconnection application along with the following items: • Specifications and Installation drawings and any related information requested. o Specifications and Installation one -line drawings must match photos submitted for pre - inspection. Any discrepancies will result in additional application review and inspection costs. ■ Non -Refundable DER installation and interconnection Application Fee Step 2: Application Review 1. The Utility will perform an internal review of the complete submitted application. An application is considered complete only when all the required information is submitted. upon receipt of items included in the application step. The application review entails the following: a. The applicant is a residential or small general customer (net metering is currently only applicable to these classes) b. The proposed system size is 1 OkW or less c. Proposed installation and equipment are consistent with specifications and U/L requirements including automatic disconnect. d. System Impact Evaluation to determine if any Electric Distribution Infrastructure Modifications/upgrades are required to accommodate the proposed interconnection. Any required infrastructure modifications/upgrades will be governed by the Electric Line Extension and Electric Meter Connect Policy. 2. If the City of Georgetown permitting requirements are met, and the submitted application complies with Utility standards and requirements, the DER installation and interconnection application is approved, and the customer is notified. 3. If the proposed DER interconnection requires Electric Distribution Infrastructure modifications or upgrades the applicant is notified of the need for modifications or upgrades and a Facilities Study is recommended. a. The detailed costs of any Electric Distribution Infrastructure Modifications/upgrades necessary to interconnect the Applicant's proposed DER facility will be identified in a Facilities Study to be completed by the Utility. The modifications/upgrades identified in the facilities study will be governed by the Line Extension Policy. b. A nonrefundable facilities study fee is required to be paid in full if the customer/applicant wishes to continue through the interconnection process. Please note that the facilities study fee is for DER systems up to 10 kW -DC by Residential and Small Commercial Customers. c. The modifications and/or upgrades identified by the facilities study shall be completed before the DER application is approved. Step 3: Installation- Preliminary Inspection Upon approval of the DER application, the applicant must pay a nonrefundable DER Installation and Inspection Fee. Once installation and inspection fees are paid in full, the Utility issues the DER Installation Authorization to the applicant. Once the authorization is issued, the applicant is authorized to begin the installation of the DER system at the approved site. The installer must follow the labeling, wiring, and clearance instructions of the approved installation equipment throughout this process. Any disconnect/re-connect required will be scheduled by the installer with COG during this installation step 2. The applicant can request a preliminary installation inspection to be performed by the Utility by submitting all the Utility required installation information. The information to be submitted must comply with the specifications outlined by the Utility. The Utility shall conduct the preliminary inspection only after the required installation information is submitted. 3. After receiving the required installation information, the Utility shall conduct the preliminary inspection of the installation to ensure conformity to the interconnection requirements and guidelines. 4. If the DER installation meets all the interconnection requirements and guidelines, the installation is approved by the Utility, and the Interconnection Agreement (IC) is generated Specifications and Installation one -line drawings must match photos submitted for pre -inspection. Any discrepancies will result in additional application review and inspection costs. Step 4: Installation - Final Inspection and Meter Installation 1. Once the Interconnection Agreement is executed by the customer/applicant, the Utility conducts a final site installation by the meter technician. The primary objective of the final inspection is to verify the installation information and to test the auto -disconnect relay. Once all the requirements are met, the installation passes the final inspection and the bi-directional meter is installed. If issues, updates, or repairs are identified by the meter technician, the Utility will notify the customer/ installer of a failed inspection, and the meter will not be installed. In this instance, the applicant is required to address the issues identified and request a second inspection. The second inspection and any additional inspections require the payment of a nonrefundable Additional Inspection Fee per inspection instance. 3. After successful inspection and installation, the Interconnection Agreement is fully executed, and the customer/installer is notified with permission to operate. The approved and installed DER system information is updated in the Utility's GIS and billing systems. Fee Schedule Fee Description* Amount DER Interconnection Application Fee $340 Facilities Study* * $1,150 DER Installation and Inspection Fee $605 Additional Inspection Fee** $165 Disconnect -Reconnect Fees $95 *All fees identified as non-refundable **As needed. Version History: 1. Original Version: 6/22/2021 2. Update#1:01/24/2023