Utility Interconnection
Aerostar strives to insure that its turbines and control systems are safe and efficient and designed to be easily connected to the utility grid. Althouth by no means universal, many utility companies are using IEEE 1547 as a basis for their interconnection policy. IEEE 1547 consists of a set of standards designed to govern the interconnection of distributed power generation facilities such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaic systems, etc.
IEEE 1547 contains standards for voltage limits, frequency limits, disconnection devices, faulting and other issues which can impact the installation of a small wind turbine. The Aerostar 6 Meter and the turbine control system has been designed with IEEE 1547 in mind. For example, over/under frequency and voltage relays are available. These relays are not standard equipment because they are not required by some utility companies for interconnection. Some utility companies have imposed standards that go far beyond IEEE 1547 and will only accept certain brand name relays or relays conforming to special requirements.
Many utility companies understand the importance of distributed power generation (DG) and take an active role in supporting small wind and PV systems. These companies understand that properly designed small wind and PV sytems typically installed by homeowners and small business have little or no real or potential deleterious effect on the grid. These companies streamline their interconnection policies to facilitate distributed power generation. These companies understand that interconnection review charges, time delays, requirements for expensive and largely unecessary interconnection "safety" equipment have a chilling effect on the widespread installation and use of small DG systems.
BECAUSE INDUCTION GENERATORS MUST HAVE UTILITY POWER AVAILABLE BEFORE THEY CAN PRODUCE POWER, THEY ARE INHERENTLY SAFE AND CANNOT ENERGIZE THE GRID WHEN UTILITY POWER FAILS
Unfortunately, some utility companies are less freindly to small DG systems. The companies impose burdensome regulations which cost homeowners and small businesses time and money. Oftentimes these companies advertise that they support renewables but, in reality, their policies act as impediments to those people wo understand the importance of distributed power generation and want to do their part in reducing our dependance on non-renewable sources of energy. In some cases excessively prohibitive regulations are justified by claiming that the utility company has a duty to protect utility customers and utility workers from wind systems that they percieve to be a threat. The outcome of these burdensome requirements is that they penalize the very people who are doing the most to benefit our society.
As an example, Masachusetts, the home state of Aerostar, has one of the most unfiendly and unsupportive tariffs for small induction wind turbines. According to NSTAR ELectric, requirements include, special "utility grade" relays, submission of electrical schematics stamped by electrical engineers licensed in the state, substantial application fees and other impedliments. Small, 10 KW induction turbines are treated the same as megawatt sized turbines. As of the date of this writing, NSTAR, one of the utility companies servicing the area has, so far, refused to waive or relax these requirements. The tariff and NSTAR's interpretation of tariff provisions are so burdensome that it can cost $5,000 to $8,000 just to interconnect a small induction wind turbine. This is roughly 1/3 the cost of the turbine! This makes Massachusetts one of the most unfriendly states for small induction wind turbines. This is unfortunate because it denies consumers choice and makes it extremely difficult for those who support distributed power generation to do their part by installing one of our turbines.
Because of the general lack of uniformity regarding utility company requirements, it is not possible to design one IEEE 1547 protection scheme that is capable of satisfying all utility companies. That said, Aerostar and/or your local dealer can almost always supply equipment that will satisfy the requirements of a particular utility company. Sometimes, the over/under voltage and/or frequency relays will be in an external enclosure, separate from the standard Aerostar control box. Aerostar is comitted to seeing distributed generation succeed and it will try to help its customers and dealers comply with reasonable requirements.
However, because of the lack of uniform interconnection requirements which presently exists in the U.S., and the fact that Aerostar has no control over these requirements, Aerostar specifically disclaims that its turbines or control systems are compatible with the requirements of any particular utility company and it makes no warranty that any utility company will allow interconnection.