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New Resource Implementation process and requirements

This webpage contains the guidelines, deliverables and activities needed during the final days of interconnection projects to successfully complete resource implementation to the ISO grid.​


Getting started​


 Determine how to start a project at the ISO.
         Using the resource list below, determine how you will submit your project request to the ISO.

​Resource project types to be created through NRI:

- Distributed Energy Resource (DERP)
- SCME WEIM onboarding
- SCME WEIM updates
- Existing resources converting from ISOME to SCME

Use:

New Resource Implementation Quick Start Guide

Project Details Form


All other project types to be created through RIMS:

Use:

RIMS Quick Start Guide

RIMS Project Details Form

Create RIMS Project
 Review New Resource Implementation Guide

Follow the guide to ensure a smooth transition from build to bid in the ISO markets


Review New Resource Implementation Checklist
The checklist provides requirements based on project type.

If you have questions, please submit them either through the CIDI application or using the Contact Us form. If you have a project code, please include it (i.e. 19GEN1234) in the Subject field in CIDI. If submitting your question(s) through Contact Us, please select “Other” from the subject drop down and include the project code, if you have one, in the Comment field.


Bucket system​

The ISO "Bucket" system is derived from the Full Network Model Database Release schedule, and a generation project's estimated sync date or Qualifying Facility conversion date and specifies interconnection deliverable acceptance deadline dates. ISO review and approval requires 10 days from the time a generator owner  submits a deliverable. If a deadline date is not met, document processing stops and a new implementation date must be established.

 Planning

  • Bucket 1 – Full network model and forecast preparation
    The following deliverables are required to create an ISO market Resource ID and to be modeled in the Full Network Model (FNM). These documents are essential for participation in ISO markets, plus documents to forecast and model the resource in ISO real-time and market systems. This is also the time to submit the necessary information for ISO forecasting (Eligible Intermittent Resources only). These bucket items must be submitted in advance of the bucket acceptance due dates.
    • Initial meter and telemetry document templates
    • Forecasting information - solar site
    • Forecasting information - wind site
    • Connected entity service guides

 Implementation

 Validation - 30 days before sync

  • Bucket 3 – Market preparation
    These items are the most critical to reach the desired implementation date with the ISO. The Bucket 3 deliverables need careful consideration and planning. All the bucket 3 items are required and need to be accepted 30 days in advance of estimated Implementation date of the resource. Please refer to the New Resource Implementation Guide for further details on each specific document required.
    • Letter of Intent (LOI) to become a Participating Intermittent Resource
      PIRP resources must complete the Letter of Intent in addition to the standard Participating Generator certification agreements.
    • Resource entity management - generator resource data template (GRDT)
      The Scheduling Coordinator must review and submit the final version of the Generator Resource Data Template (GRDT) on behalf of the legal owner/developer.
    • Scheduling Coordinator selection and acceptance
      The Scheduling Coordinator association cannot be completed until Bucket 1-2 requirements are fulfilled, the Resource ID is in the Full Network Model (FNM) production build, and the final Generator Resource Data Template has been accepted.
    • Metering and telemetry
    • RIG engineering
      Agreements and certificate requests must be submitted to the ISO before starting telemetry testing. Project owners must submit a Device Certificate Request Form (ARRF) with the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) file to Certificate Requests. Please allow 10 business days for review and approvals.

 Trial operations approval - 10 days before sync

  • Bucket 4 – Trial operations approval
    Trial operations testing includes preliminary validation of meter data. Buckets 1 through 4 deliverables must be completed and accepted in order to request to synchronize to the grid. This Request can take up to 10 business days to complete. Metering and telemetry Point to Point testing must also be successfully completed. Final validation of metering and telemetry data will be conducted after synchronization using actual generation data.

 Trial operations - 1 day before sync

  • Bucket 5 – Trial operations
    The interconnection customer’s scheduling coordinator must contact ISO outage management 24 hrs. in advance of initial synchronization and again immediately before synchronization at the following numbers:
    Ops Planning North: 916-351-2206
    Ops Planning South: 916-351-2215
    The SC must also contact the ISO real time generation desk for initial and all subsequent synchronization and testing per Operating Procedure 5320 Resource Trial Operations and Test Energy Process. The real time generation desk can fully or partially curtail trial operations at any time.

 Commercial operation

  • Bucket 6 – Commercial Operation Date (COD)
    The ISO will issue a signed COC following metering and telemetry validation with live test generation data and approval of all required documentation. This certificate must be issued before declaring a commercial operation date.
    All Bucket 1 through 5 and MSVS must be received and accepted in order for the IC can request COD or COM. This Request can take up to 5 business days to complete. The ISO will issue an email response containing the date the interconnection customer is complete with the NRI process. Once this email is received, then the IC will need to complete the COD Declaration or COM Declaration and upload into RIMS with an effective date. Please review the NRI Guide for more detailed information on the COM/COD process.
    • Commercial operation letter templates
 You have reached the end of the new resource interconnection process.