INFORMATION ON GENERATION FACILITIES INTERCONNECTION TO LONDON HYDRO INC.

What is new in Ontario’s electricity sector?

One of the recent goals of the Provincial Government is to create more opportunities and encourage the connection of renewable energy generation facilities to the electrical distribution grid. As a result, under the direction of the Ministry of Energy, new programs are being offered to any Ontario electricity consumer who can generate electricity from renewable resources:

1) The Net Metering Program

2) The Feed-In Tariff (FIT) and microFIT Programs

These programs allow customers to generate some or all of their electric load requirements (referred to as load displacement), and also export the excess power onto the local distribution electrical grid (referred to as an embedded generator). The process is governed by regulated financial settlements with the Local Distribution Company (LDC) in accordance with the Retail Settlement Code (RSC). A generator customer can enter into a contract directly with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) for sale of renewable energy.

What do you need to know about embedded generation?

Embedded generation is considered any generation facility which is not directly connected to the transmission grid but instead is connected to a distribution system (i.e., London Hydro Inc.)

London Hydro Inc. supports the incorporation of embedded generation facilities within the electrical distribution system in the City of London. The process is guided by the latest revision of the Distribution System Code (DSC) issued by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). The Code sets out the minimum obligations that a licensed electricity distributor (such as an LDC) must meet in carrying out its obligations. The latest revision of the Code can be found on the official web site of the OEB under Industry Relations / Rules, Codes, Guidelines and Codes.

Generators of electricity are divided into different sizes in accordance with the DSC.

Generator Classification	Generator Size	Available Programs
Micro	<=10 kW	Net Metering / microFIT
Small	>=10 kW and <= 1 MW	Net Metering up to 500 kW /Feed-in Tariff
Mid-Sized	>=500 kW and <=10 MW	Feed-in Tariff
Large	> 10 MW

London Hydro Inc. will apply its Conditions of Service for any generation interconnection to its distribution system. Generators are financially responsible for all the connections costs and /or any metering changes that London Hydro Inc. deems necessary to allow for settlement purposes under a specific program.

To find out about the requirements for the connection process of a micro-generation facility and how to apply,click here.

To connect a generation facility larger than 10 kW, there is a multi-step process and a different type of application has to be submitted. Click here for a simplified description of the application process.

If you are interested in installing a large generation facility and connect it to the electrical distribution grid, please contact the Operations Department at London Hydro.

To view a map of the available generation capacities for small, medium, and large generators within London Hydro’s service territory, please click here. Please note, this map does not apply to micro generators.

The process of generation interconnection to a distribution grid at a macro level follows this schematic. London Hydro reserves the right to modify it accordingly from case to case.

STEP ONE

Generator contacts the utility to request basic information on generation interconnection.

STEP TWO

Utility provides information regarding the interconnection process and the external parties involved.

STEP THREE

Generator acquires information about Government Agencies and Regulations compliance.

STEP FOUR

Generator decides to proceed with the project and makes an application to the utility.

STEP FIVE

Utility performs Impact Assessment and provides an Offer to Connect.

STEP SIX

Utility and Generator enter into an Agreement (Contract)

STEP SEVEN

Generator submits drawings to the utility for approval.

STEP EIGHT

Generator installs facility according to the Agreement.

STEP NINE

Generator provides the utility with an Authorization to Connect from the Electrical Safety Authority.

STEP TEN

Utility connects the Generation Facility to the Distribution System.

Contact Information

For further inquiries on embedded generation interconnection to London Hydro’s system or on applications to interconnect a generation facility to London Hydro’s distribution system, please contact:

Cristina Terek at 519-661-5800, or by email at admin@londonhydro.com