New resource implementation

Getting started

1) 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.

2) Review New Resource Implementation Guide

Follow the New Resource Implementation Guide to ensure a smooth transition from build to bid in the ISO markets.

3) Review New Resource Implementation Checklist

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

4) Review Resource Owners/Operators Desk Reference Guide

Use this Interactive desk reference guide that provides links to training, knowledge articles, process documents, checklist, etc. regarding effective interactions with your SCs and the ISO.

If you have questions, please submit either through the CIDI application or Contact us. 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.

Bucket 2 – Regulatory contracts and model testing information

Project owners must prepare and submit appropriate contracts for interconnection. Contact RegulatoryContracts@caiso.com for assistance with contract type selection and execution.

Please refer to the Contracts and Agreements webpage for related contracts.

Please refer to the Metering and Telemetry webpage for metering documentation guidelines.

Bucket 3 – Market preparation (30 days before sync)

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 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.

• PIRP resources must complete the Letter of Intent (LOI) to become a Participating Intermittent Resource, in addition to the standard Participating Generator certification agreements.
   
• CEC pre-certification
  This is an optional deliverable. If you choose not to submit, please contact nri@caiso.com to remove the requirement.
   
• Resource entity management
  The scheduling coordinator must review and submit the final version of the Generator Resource Data Template (GRDT) on behalf of the legal owner/developer. Use the Sample Template for GRDT Explanation - 22GEN1234 GRDT Explanation Ver1 as a reference. 

• Control and protection
  The Control and Protection documentation falls into two separate categories for upload into RIMS: 
• ControlProtection should be used for relay settings.
• ControlProtectionInverter should be used for the submittal of the Generating Facility Data - Attachment A to Appendix 1.

• Scheduling coordinator selection and acceptance
  The scheduling coordinator association cannot be completed until Bucket 1 and 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. Learn more about scheduling coordinators.  
• The scheduling coordinator that will no longer schedule for a resource must submit the Relinquishing Scheduling Coordinator Relinquishing of Resource - Letter Template.
• The scheduling coordinator that will take on the responsibility of a new resource must submit the New Scheduling Coordinator Acceptance of Resource - Letter Template.
• The resource owner must submit the Resource Owner Scheduling Coordinator Selection - Letter Template to identify which company is relinquishing SC services and which company is going to be performing SC services. This information must match both the New SC and Relinquishing SC letters.

• 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 with the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) file to CertificateRequests@caiso.com. Please allow 10 business days for review and approvals. Learn more about metering and telemetry.

Bucket 4 – Trial operations approval (10 days before sync)

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.

Bucket 5 – Trial operations (1 day before sync)

The interconnection customer’s scheduling coordinator must contact ISO outage management 24 hrs. in advance of initial synchronization and again immediately before synchronization.

The scheduling coordinator must also contact the ISO real time generation scheduling desk for initial and all subsequent synchronization and testing. The Real-Time desk can fully or partially curtail trial operations at any time. 

The New Scheduling Coordinator and Resource Owner Reference Guide contains helpful information, links and resources to enable users to find what they need to successfully work with the California ISO to interconnect their resources to the grid and participate in the wholesale power market.

Bucket 6 – Commercial Operation Date (COD)

The ISO will issue a signed Certificate of Compliance (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 buckets 1 through 5 and a Metering Site Verification Sheet (MSVS) must be received and accepted in order for the interconnection customer (IC) to request Commercial Operation Date (COD) or Commercial Operations for Market (COM). This request can take up to five business days to complete. The ISO will issue an email response containing the date the interconnection customer has completed 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.