Distribution Planning and Interconnection Process

October 10, 2019

© 2015 San Diego Gas & Electric Company. All copyright and trademark rights reserved.

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Jose Lopez – Distribution Planning ManagerKen Parks - Customer Generation Manager

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Customer Energy Management

Substation Energy Storage 

DistributedEnergy Storage 

Distributed Energy Resources

HomeEnergy 

Resources

Advanced Distribution Management System

Feeder Automation System Technology

• Leveraging prior innovations: Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Weather Network, SCADA

• Implementing and advancing tools and systems to plan, monitor, and control the distribution system: advanced distribution management, distributed energy resource (DER) management

• Enhancing consumer engagementin support of a more innovative and efficient energy system

Evolving Distribution System

DER Growth

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944  3,629 6,819  10,810  16,070 

26,982 42,708 

69,909 

100,301 

119,273 143,376 

166,660 

‐20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 

100,000 120,000 140,000 160,000 180,000 

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Net Energy Metering Cumulative Authorizations by Year

15.04 31.43 57.01 91.62 128.98 196.13301.08

469.8

667.99810.41

995.791,147 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Net Energy Metering Cumulative Megawatts by Year

Making Things Easy for Our Customers

• Distribution interconnection portal

• Distribution Interconnection Information System (DIIS) – Transparency and efficiency

• FastTrack interconnection process– Environmentally Conscious – Quickest in the state

• Automated online payments– Flexibility– Convenience

• Automated jurisdictional (AHJ) electrical release process4

Integration Capacity Analysis (ICA)

• Distribution capacity information to help enable DER interconnection safely and reliably

• Information most relevant to larger DER projects

• ICA analysis produces DER hosting capacity information at millions of locations across the distribution system

• Calculating ICA Values

• Assesses current system capabilities

• Uses dynamic methods – hourly load and resource profiles

Thermal Protection Power Quality Safety Standard of existing equipment 

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Interconnection Portal

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Distribution Interconnection System

Issued US Patent - April 2017

Features• DIIS was launched 2013

• Keys: service and transparency

• Empowers customers/ contractors to manage their own business through self-service tools and monitor every milestone within the utility’s control

Benefits• Over 140,000 applications

processed

• ~87,000 through Fast Track process (60%)

• Average approval time is three days

• 500,000 avoided vehicle miles due to Fast Track

DIIS Features and Benefits

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• GoSolar website reader for inverters/modules

• Reverse Power Flow Detection• Remote Meter Configuration (RMC) • GIS integration release (mapping)• Transformer Loading • NEM paired with storage • Automated approvals • Tariff changes• PayPal/Braintree integration• AHJ Inspector (City inspection releases)• Standard Rule 21 application automated • Backup generator tracking

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Continuous Improvement

Automated Application Process

1) Create MyPartners Account

2) Submit  Application in DIIS

3) Sign & Submit Interconnection Agreement

4) City / County Inspection

5) SDG&E Inspection 

6) Permission to Operate (PTO) Issued

SDG&E’s automated process has eliminated many of the administrative type application deficiencies that existed prior to its

implementation

Customer Responsibility

Six Easy Steps

Average Authorization3 Calendar Days

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Fast Track

525,000 Avoided Miles

 ‐

 5,000

 10,000

 15,000

 20,000

 25,000

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1,192 3,920 

13,669 

21,222 

14,190 18,598 

14,836 

Fast Track Projects

 ‐

 50,000

 100,000

 150,000

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

7,152 23,538 

82,044 

127,416 

85,170 111,588 

89,016 

525,000 Avoided Driving Miles

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• Easy – Convenient – Flexible • Available 24/7 everyday• Processed 74,729 payments

Automated Online Payment

175 62 69 80 94 231805

2376

4963

7542

84898070

69867258

80787472

5285

2400

1118815 729 757 552 321

 ‐

 1,000

 2,000

 3,000

 4,000

 5,000

 6,000

 7,000

 8,000

12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

NEM Payments by Hour

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Search for Address

Select Release type(s)

Submit Release 

Search for Meter #

When user is typing in address or electric meter number, the system auto-completes to assist with data entry

Ability to concurrently submit multiple electrical releases at the same location (solar, battery, meter set, etc.)

Automated Electrical Release Process

More efficient way of sending electrical releases for generation (no need for double entry)

Thank You!

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