PJM and its members are advancing several initiatives to streamline the interconnection of new resources onto the grid to maintain grid reliability in the near term.
These initiatives are in addition to the already intensive efforts of PJM to streamline its interconnection queue and process more than 200,000 MW of new projects in the next three years. All of the initiatives work in combination to try and address PJM’s continued warnings about maintaining adequate resources on the grid amid generator retirements and growing electricity demand.
Capacity Interconnection Rights Transfer
PJM members have endorsed a plan to enable retiring generators to more efficiently transfer their grid connection to new resources in the same area as a way to get much-needed replacement generation up and running faster. The Capacity Interconnection Rights (CIR) proposal is the product of an issue charge (PDF) introduced by East Kentucky Power Cooperative and Elevate Renewable Energy and endorsed by the Planning Committee in June 2023.
The Markets and Reliability Committee and the Members Committee endorsed the CIR proposal (PDF) Nov. 21. The new process would operate outside of the existing interconnection process, be available to all technology resources and take about 10 months. PJM expects to make that filing with FERC in February.
Reliability Resource Initiative
In addition to the members’ CIR initiative, PJM is proposing a one-time interconnection queue “on-ramp” called the Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI) (PDF). This initiative would allow for new generation that can be developed more expeditiously to join the projects already being studied through PJM’s reformed interconnection process. Priority would be given to those resources that have a greater chance of contributing to reliability. At the Nov. 21 Members Committee, a number of stakeholders presented their positions on the RRI initiative.
Surplus Interconnection Service
PJM also presented a proposal to reform its Surplus Interconnection Service (SIS) process. These reforms would make it easier for new generation to combine with resources that do not run continuously during the operating day or year-round to provide an alternate generation source when the primary generator is not producing electricity. This would likely allow for more expeditious and greater integration of battery storage projects in the near term. All proposals have been shaped by stakeholder feedback, and PJM is continuing to accept comments from interested parties through 5 p.m. on Nov. 27. Comments can be emailed to the Stakeholder Affairs Team.