As the capacity of solar PV systems in the US continues to grow, and more regions reach high levels of renewable energy penetration, grid congestion has become a critical issue for large-scale projects. For project stakeholders who lack experience or fail to conduct thorough due diligence upfront, unexpected grid interconnection challenges—such as power limitations or stability concerns—can lead to costly delays and setbacks.
At Pure Power, we serve as both an owner’s engineer and an independent engineer, helping EPCs and developers identify, analyze, and quantify the impacts of grid congestion on their projects. In this post, I’ll share how we support fast and predictable project development, even when facing constrained or potentially constrained grids, through proper planning and expert insights.
### Interconnection Technical Studies
At the beginning of a large-scale project, developers typically engage with regional grid operators or transmission system owners to initiate site-specific studies that assess the impact of new generation capacity. These studies help determine what upgrades are needed before interconnection can occur. However, without proper planning, especially during site selection, developers may end up acquiring a location that is unsuitable for solar PV installation before the study is complete.
Interconnection studies generally evaluate:
- **Power capacity limitations**: Existing transmission systems may be near or at full capacity, making it expensive or unfeasible to connect new solar assets. Developers often bear the cost of necessary upgrades, which can affect the project's financial viability.
- **Grid stability considerations**: Older or overburdened grids may struggle with the variability of renewables like solar and wind. With proper planning, however, these issues can be mitigated using advanced equipment and on-site energy storage solutions.
To avoid costly missteps, early due diligence into grid capacity and site characteristics is essential. Without it, project timelines can become compressed, leading to rushed decisions and potential delays.
*Courtesy: National Association of Home Builders*
### Utility-to-Utility Experience and Perspective
The level of experience utilities have with large-scale renewable integration varies significantly across the US. Some utilities, particularly in states like California, Florida, and New England, have well-established interconnection processes and are experienced in handling renewable projects. They understand the impact of variable generation sources and dedicate internal resources to review and manage interconnection applications.
In contrast, utilities in areas with limited renewable experience may lack the infrastructure or understanding to properly handle interconnection requests. This can lead to gaps in requirements, leaving developers vulnerable to late-stage surprises.
### Looking Toward the Future
As the energy transition accelerates, future-proofing your project portfolio is more important than ever. Developers are increasingly considering the role of solar PV and on-site energy storage in their 3- to 5-year plans. With higher renewable penetration, traditional power electronics alone may not be enough to ensure grid stability.
**Leverage the benefits of energy storage**: While not all projects require energy storage today, including it can improve the chances of getting utility approval, especially in constrained areas. Energy storage is essential for managing frequency fluctuations, which inverters alone cannot address.
**Don’t overlook scale**: Currently, interconnection requirements are seen as relevant only for MW-scale projects. But as distributed energy resources grow, similar standards will likely apply to smaller systems too. From a utility perspective, small, distributed assets can behave like larger ones when aggregated and controlled effectively.
By proactively addressing grid constraints and leveraging smart technologies, developers can navigate today’s challenges and position themselves for long-term success.
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