Beyond FERC Order 2023: Considerations on Deep Interconnection Reform

In late July 2023, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released its much-anticipated rule on interconnection reform, Order 2023. This policy brief explores a deeper reform option known as connect and manage. This less restrictive interconnection approach could speed the deployment of resources in a way that can be managed after their integration with the grid, leading to a larger volume of interconnected generation capacity without sacrificing reliability.

The brief:

• summarizes connect and manage in relationship to existing interconnection procedures and reviews foundational issues with current processes not addressed by Order 2023,
• identifies opportunities to improve energy-only interconnection procedures and potential solutions to manage attendant complications with curtailment risk and hybrid resources, and
• discusses linkages of interconnection, transmission planning, and competitive procurement in alignment with a connect and manage approach, particularly in jurisdictions not governed by independent system operator/regional transmission organizations (ISO/RTOs).

Beyond FERC Order 2023 in the news:

• "A New Surge in Power Use Is Threatening U.S. Climate Goals," The New York Times, March 14, 2024
• "Can ERCOT show the way to faster and cheaper grid interconnection?," Utility Dive, November 27, 2023
• "Fixing interconnection," Catalyst w/ Shayle Kann, September 21, 2023
• "Bringing ERCOT’s speedy interconnection process to the rest of the U.S.," PV Magazine, September 5, 2023
• "A fast interconnection process like that used in Texas is widely supported," PV Magazine, November 19, 2024.

For media inquiries, contact the Nicholas Institute communications team at ni-comm@duke.edu.