The evolution of the power grid has resulted in new standards to manage DERs as grid assets. One of these standards, IEEE 1547-2018 (IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of DERs with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces) focuses on the technical specifications for and testing of the interconnection between the DER and the Bulk Power System (BPS) and provides requirements for the performance, operation, testing, safety considerations, and maintenance of the interconnection.
IEEE 1547 is sponsored and published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and is cited in federal law (EPACT 2005) for consideration as the technical basis for local interconnection agreements, procedures, and best practices. It is important to note that while all IEEE standards are voluntary, adoption and regulatory action is required by state regulators, local distribution utilities, or other applicable governing bodies to be implemented and made them a part of their serving area interconnection practice.
Two of the more progressive states in the U.S. where IEEE 1547-2018 is adopted and implemented include California and Hawaii. The details of the requirements and adoption are noted in Clause 6.5.2.6 and in a figure on page 11 of the NERC Reliability Guideline Bulk Power System Reliability Perspectives on the Adoption of IEEE 1547-2018. For more information, see www.nerc.com/comm/RSTC_Reliability_Guidelines/Guideline_IEEE_1547-2018_BPS_Perspectives.pdf.