Distributed renewables- IKEA Renton
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Distributed Renewables

To facilitate PSE’s commitment to a clean energy future, PSE offers the Distributed Renewables program. Working with developers and our commercial customers to develop a cleaner more resilient power grid, we are meeting both our region’s needs and PSE’s renewable energy goals.

Distributed Renewables' aim is to support the development of customer-owned renewable energy projects that generate between 100 kilowatts and 5 megawatts to interconnect to the PSE electrical distribution grid. Current federal and state laws require the interconnection customer to be responsible for all costs related to connecting their system to PSE's power grid. Therefore, PSE wants to work with you to ensure the interconnection process is efficient, while maintaining a grid that is safe and reliable for all customers.

In addition, PSE offers Rate Schedule 91, a standard offer Power Purchase Agreement for Qualified Facilities up to 5 megawatts. (Refer to Resource Links, below.)

For Qualifying Facility Transmission Interconnection Service (QFTIS), PSE offers Schedule 153.

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To begin the process, submit an application to our online portal or contact us below:

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Types of systems

When a generator or energy storage system will operate in parallel with PSE’s distribution system, the interconnection is governed by WA State Jurisdiction, PSE Electric Generation Schedule 152, and in some cases PSE Power Purchase Agreement Schedule 91, which provides for three types of interconnection:

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    1. Export Power Only. A site with no customer load (beyond small draw for equipment operation) where the entire output is metered and connected to the distribution system.
    2. Import and Export Power. A site with a significant load, but less than the output capacity of the generation. Generated power will offset imported power from PSE and generation in excess of the site load will be exported to PSE.
    3. On-site Only Power. A site where generation is less than the lowest existing customer load and there is no intention to export power to PSE. Power export may be limited by PSE specified protection devices in this case.

Qualifying technologies

New and existing business customers looking to take greater control of their electricity usage are encouraged to apply when installing qualifying customer-sited, renewable technology including:

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    • Grid scale solar photovoltaic (PV) including community solar projects
    • Energy Storage/Battery technologies
    • Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects
    • Biogas and Methane: Dairy Digesters and Landfill gas projects
    • Hydroelectric turbine projects
    • Grid scale wind projects
    • Fuel Cell technologies
    • Supercritical CO2 or Hydrogen turbine technologies

    A customer team including project management and engineering professionals with experience in utility grade generator interconnection is required for these types of projects.

Steps to apply for interconnection

The interconnection process, from initial application submittal to final approval to operation, can take up to 24 months to complete, depending on project complexity. In certain scenarios the study and approval process may take less time.


To get started, please review the following steps:

  1. Have the following items prepared:
    • A project site plan
    • An 8760 generation projection
    • An electrical schematic which meets the requirements listed in Section 7 Design Review and Documentation of Technical Specifications for Small Generation Interconnections
  2. Review the following documents (available below):
  3. Visit our online portal to complete and submit a signed interconnection application.
  4. Process an ACH or Wire Transfer application fee.

PSE will review your application for completeness. Once complete, the application will proceed to engineering studies. We look forward to working with you through the steps in the development of your project.

For more information or assistance with the Distributed Renewables interconnection application process, email DistributedRenewables@wkdhy.com.

Resources

Find linked resources below under "Learn more".