Seattle City Light Interconnection Agreement: A Guide for Businesses
The Seattle City Light Interconnection Agreement is a crucial document for businesses in the Seattle area that plan to install or modify power generation systems. This agreement outlines the technical and administrative requirements necessary to connect a generator to the utility grid. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Seattle City Light Interconnection Agreement and what it means for businesses.
Background on Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light is a publicly-owned utility that serves over 460,000 customers in the Seattle area. It generates and distributes electricity to homes, businesses, and government facilities within its service area. Seattle City Light is committed to providing reliable and affordable energy, while also protecting the environment and supporting local communities.
Interconnection Agreement Overview
The Seattle City Light Interconnection Agreement is a binding contract between Seattle City Light and a customer who wishes to generate electricity for their own use and/or sell excess power back to the utility. This agreement ensures that the customer’s generator is installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with safety and reliability standards.
The interconnection process involves several steps, including:
1. Pre-application: The customer submits a pre-application to Seattle City Light, providing information about the proposed generator and its expected output.
2. Feasibility Study: Seattle City Light conducts a feasibility study to determine if the proposed generator can be safely and reliably interconnected with the utility grid.
3. Interconnection Application: If the feasibility study is positive, the customer submits an interconnection application, which includes technical specifications and a one-line diagram of the proposed generator.
4. Interconnection Agreement: Once the application is approved, Seattle City Light and the customer sign an interconnection agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both parties.
5. Construction: The customer constructs the generator according to the agreed-upon specifications and schedules an inspection by Seattle City Light.
6. Commissioning: Seattle City Light tests the generator to ensure that it meets safety and reliability standards.
7. Interconnection: Seattle City Light connects the generator to the utility grid.
Key Terms and Requirements
The Seattle City Light Interconnection Agreement includes several key terms and requirements that businesses need to be aware of before installing a generator. These include:
1. Safety and Reliability Standards: The generator must meet all local, state, and federal safety and reliability standards.
2. Insurance: The customer must maintain liability insurance for the generator and provide proof of coverage to Seattle City Light.
3. Metering: The customer must install a meter that can accurately measure the generator’s output and provide data to Seattle City Light.
4. Fees: The customer is responsible for paying fees associated with the interconnection process, including application fees and study costs.
Conclusion
The Seattle City Light Interconnection Agreement is a critical document for businesses in the Seattle area that plan to install or modify power generation systems. This agreement ensures that the generator is installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with safety and reliability standards. Understanding the requirements and key terms of this agreement is essential for businesses to successfully connect to the utility grid and generate their own power.