The Ontario Energy Board recently announced an accelerated process for reviewing the rules that apply to connection of DERs (Distributed Energy Resources) to local distribution grids. In a pair of letters released November 18 and November 26, the OEB notified stakeholders that it would be gearing up work on its “Distributed Energy Resources Connections Review Initiative” denoted as EB-2019-0207.
The Board explained that the review will “focus on the technical requirements, process and cost related aspects of connecting new storage and generation to distribution systems, both in front of and behind the meter.” The Board summarized comments received from stakeholders during an earlier round of consultation, noting the following in particular:
• The need for standardization and clarity of definitions, terminology and regulatory rules in respect to DERs
• The need for clear rules regarding cost responsibility for connection of DERs to ensure fairness to DER customers and all other customers of the distributor
• More detailed and comprehensive timelines for the connection process to ensure the timelines are well understood
• Appropriate standardization of technical requirements for connections
Additional issues proposed by stakeholders for consideration were the following:
• Establish appropriate incentives such as performance metrics on the Distributor scorecard with respect to facilitating DER connections.
• Include safety considerations as part of process and technical requirements.
The Board said that its working group will review the issues with the objective of developing a set of recommendations for the OEB’s consideration. The first meeting of the Working Group was held on December 4. During that meeting Board staff outlined plans for two subgroups, the first focusing on the process for making DER connections and related cost issues, and the second focused on technical standards and the related cost issues. The desired outcome of the effort will be to “Recommend solutions for streamlining process, enhancing consistency of process application amongst distributors and improving clarity around process timelines, technical requirements and cost.”
An ambitious pace for the subgroup meetings was established with a series of four meetings scheduled in the four months ahead. At the December 4 meeting a set of definitions was proposed, along with a “New Connection Paradigm” distinguishing between Injecting and Non-injecting DERs, in series and in parallel. Definitions were proposed for Point of Connection, Point of Common Coupling (PCC), Point of Supply (the DSC equivalent to PCC), Connection, Connection Assets, Ownership demarcation point, embedded generation and other terms.
Questions about the DER Connections Review initiative should be directed to Catherine Ethier at
See the related stories “OEB launches three proceedings on DERs” and “OEB hosts conference on DERs” in IPPSO FACTO, November 2019.