ISO-NE Interconnection Module Package

Stage 1: Cluster Request Window and Customer Engagement Window

• Support you through the Cluster Request Window and the Customer Engagement Window, including preparation for the Scoping Meeting, evaluation of alternative Points of Interconnection and configurations, and the technical content of the Interconnection Request (Appendix 1 with Attachments A and A-1 of Schedule 22 or Schedule 23).
• Develop plant-level PSS/E power flow models (aggregated/equivalent and detailed *.RAW files) and positive-sequence dynamics models (*.DYR) from the standard PSS/E library models listed in Appendix 1 Table 1 and required by PP5-6 Appendix B, representing all voltage and reactive power control modes, frequency response, ride-through characteristics, plant controller functions and storage charging mode.
• Check that the PSS/E models initialize correctly, and run the flat-start and ring-down tests PP5-6 Appendix B sets for any user-written model.
• Assemble the plant-level PSCAD electromagnetic transient (EMT) model from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment-level models, collector system, transformers, gen-tie and reactive devices, and complete the PP5-6 Appendix C-1 EMT model checklists.
• Coordinate with inverter, turbine and plant-level controller manufacturers to obtain site-specific EMT models built from actual hardware code, site settings and each OEM's equipment Model Quality Attestation (e-MQA), and prepare the plant-level Model Quality Attestation (p-MQA) for your signature.
• Perform the eighteen model acceptance tests of PP5-6 Appendix C-2 in PSS/E and PSCAD on the single machine infinite bus test system at each required short circuit ratio, in both charging and discharging mode for storage, using our Automated Compliance Workflow for ISO-NE model quality tests (MQT).
• Benchmark the PSS/E and PSCAD results of each test against each other and prepare the benchmarking report in the structure PP5-6 Appendix C-2 Section 5 requires.
• Perform the collector system, generator step-up transformer tap setting and voltage control strategy calculations and the reactive capability (power factor) evaluation described in PP5-6 Section 6.1 and Appendix D, and prepare the collection system/transformer tap-setting design calculations Attachment A-1 requires.
• Review the plant design against the IEEE 2800-2022 clauses adopted in PP5-6 Appendix F and prepare the Appendix F-1 attestation package for your review and signature.
• Develop the ASPEN OneLiner short-circuit model of the generating units, transformers, collector system and gen-tie that the Interconnection Request requires, with impedances and winding configurations that match the PSS/E and PSCAD models.

Stage 2: Cluster Study, Cluster Restudy and Interconnection Facilities Study

• Prepare your responses to the ISO's technical data requests and deficiency notices for you to submit within the cure periods of Schedule 22 Section 7.2 or the matching Schedule 23 provisions.
• Review the Cluster Study Report and any Cluster Restudy Report, including the short circuit, stability, power flow, EMT, protection, voltage control, frequency response, ride-through and IEEE 2800 evaluations, and support you at the report meetings.
• Provide modeling support to resolve plant performance issues identified in the stability and EMT analyses, including control tuning with the OEMs and reactive device sizing, and review the mitigation and upgrade options the reports identify.
• Screen proposed design changes against the Material Modification screening criteria of PP5-6 Appendix E before you ask the ISO for a determination, and update the models that any permitted modification requires under Schedule 22 Section 4.4.
• Support the decision point after the Cluster Study Report Meeting (Schedule 22 Section 7.5) with technical input on any MW decrease, the updated modeling and data a decrease requires, and your election to pursue or waive the Interconnection Facilities Study.
• Prepare the as-studied model data the ISO requires after the Cluster Study, in the format the ISO specifies during the interconnection process, for its Dynamics Data Management System (DDMS) and Short Circuit Data Management System (SDMS) (PP5-6 Section 2.6).
• Prepare the technical data you deliver with the executed Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement, and prepare responses to Interconnection Facilities Study questions on the interconnection configuration.
• Prepare the models and data you provide to the ISO for its Proposed Plan Application review under Tariff Section I.3.9 (Planning Procedure 5-1), which requires model submission and approval.

Stage 3: Interconnection Agreement and As-Purchased Data

• Provide technical input on the Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) appendices or Small Generator Interconnection Agreement (SGIA) attachments, including any output-limiting control technologies and protection systems recorded in LGIA Appendix C.
• Update the PSS/E and PSCAD models to the as-purchased equipment, firmware and settings, rerun the model acceptance tests and benchmarking, and refresh the Appendix C-1 checklists, e-MQA, p-MQA and Appendix F-1 attestation.
• Prepare the updated Appendix 1 data submission, including manufacturer information, due no later than 180 Calendar Days before the Initial Synchronization Date (LGIA Article 24.3; PP5-6 Appendix E).
• Screen changes made during detailed design and procurement against PP5-6 Appendix E, and support the studies the ISO runs on changed data, which must finish before Trial Operation begins.
• Prepare the as-purchased dynamics model data for your entry into DDMS under Operating Procedure 14 (OP-14).
• Respond to ISO data requests for the operational analysis the ISO performs close to the Synchronization Date (Schedule 22 Section 7.6).

Stage 4: Initial Synchronization, Trial Operation and Commercial Operation

• Update the plant models with as-built design parameters and as-tested settings, and prepare the as-built and as-tested information that LGIA Article 24.4 and PP5-6 Appendix E require before the Commercial Operation Date.
• Support the pre-Commercial Operation Date testing of LGIA Article 6.1 and the tests of LGIA Article 24.4, or SGIA Article 2.1 for a Schedule 23 project, and compare recorded unit and plant responses with model simulations.
• Rerun the model acceptance tests and benchmarking with the as-built models and update the e-MQA and p-MQA for the as-built submission (PP5-6 Appendix C-1).
• Prepare the as-built dynamics model data for your entry into DDMS, and the PSCAD models the ISO requests under OP-14.

Stage 5: Post-Commercial Operation

• Prepare your responses to the ISO's annual model recertification requests through DDMS (OP-14; Compliance Bulletin MOD-032).
• Update the models before any change to inverter control settings, plant controller settings or equipment, prepare them for you to submit to the ISO through DDMS before the change (OP-14), and screen the change against PP5-6 Appendix E, including its PSCAD screening criteria, and the modification provisions of LGIA Article 5.19 or SGIA Article 3.4.5.
• Support model verification under North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) MOD-026-2, including comparison of test recordings with model simulations (OP-14).
• Respond to technical concerns the ISO raises on your dynamic models and update the models as needed (OP-14).
• Support the new Interconnection Request that an output increase or a change from Network Resource (NR) to Capacity Network Resource (CNR) Interconnection Service requires (Schedule 22 Section 4.4; PP5-6 Appendix E).