BPA Interconnection Module Package

Stage 1: Interconnection Request and Phase One Cluster Study

• Prepare the technical content of your Interconnection Request for a Cluster Request Window: the Appendix 1 technical information; the steady-state model of the Large Generating Facility (equivalent plant-level model, equivalent collector system, step-up transformers and generation tie line) in GE PSLF or PowerWorld format; and the GE PSLF .epc and .dyd generator model (not a full base case) that the Large Generator Interconnection Business Practice asks for with the request. You submit the request.
• For a wind plant that files its Interconnection Request with a single equivalent generator under LGIP Appendix 8, prepare the detailed electrical design specifications and collector system layout data due by the Appendix 8 deadline.
• Review the plant design and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) selection with you before you sign the Generation Model and Performance Attestation (Attachment A to Appendix 1), against the Technical Requirements Revision 13 requirements that drive equipment choice: the IEEE Std 2800-2022 clauses BPA applies to inverter-based resources, grid-forming control for battery energy storage, reactive power capability at the Point of Interconnection (POI) and the system strength (short-circuit ratio) requirement in Section 6.3.
• Support you at the Cluster Scoping Meeting held during the Customer Engagement Window and, if you request one after the Cluster Request Window closes, an Individual Scoping Meeting, including questions on the general feasibility of a requested POI.
• Review the Phase One Cluster Study Report (short circuit analysis, power flow analysis and preliminary Interconnection Facilities and Network Upgrades, performed with BPA's generic performance models) and support you at the Cluster Study Report Meeting.
• Evaluate the modifications LGIP Section 4.4.1 permits during the first Customer Review Period (output reduction, technology and step-up transformer parameters, interconnection configuration) and update the models for any modification you elect.
• Develop the validated detailed models BPA requires before the close of the first Customer Review Period (LGIP Section 6.6.2) to the Interconnection Model Requirements checklists: positive-sequence power flow model in GE PSLF (.epc) or PowerWorld (.aux) format with reactive capability curves; positive-sequence transient model in GE PSLF (.dyd) format built from models approved by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), including grid-forming inverter models where storage operates in grid-forming mode, with plant-level control other than REPC_B and with relay models for ride-through settings; full-sequence short-circuit model in ASPEN OneLiner version 15 or later; plant-specific EMT model in PSCAD version 5.0.2 or later.
• Coordinate with inverter, turbine and plant-controller manufacturers to obtain models, parameters and documentation, map field settings to model settings, and collect the manufacturer certification and real-code or hardware-test validation evidence the Interconnection Model Requirements require for EMT models.
• Run BPA's Interconnection Model Acceptance Tool (PSLF or PowerWorld version) on the positive-sequence models, built in BPA's generator interconnection bus numbering scheme. The tool runs a flat run, voltage sag stability tests, voltage step, reactive limit and frequency step tests that mirror BPA's Required Voltage and Frequency Control Performance Commissioning Tests (STD-N-000001-01), and voltage and frequency ride-through tests. Prepare the optional tool report and input files for your submittal.
• Benchmark the GE PSLF positive-sequence dynamic model against the PSCAD EMT model for the same voltage, frequency and fault disturbances and document any differences.
• Prepare the Interconnection Model Requirements facility data package (one-line diagram, transformer data, inverter and turbine data, plant-level voltage and frequency control description, energy storage data, station service).

Stage 2: Phase Two Cluster Study and Interconnection Facilities Study

• Review the Phase Two Cluster Study Report (stability, short circuit, Network Resource Interconnection Service where requested, and Contingent Facility analysis) and support you at the Cluster Study Report Meeting.
• Provide modeling support to resolve plant instability or inadequately damped response identified in the Phase Two Cluster Study, including control tuning with the OEMs and updated PSLF and PSCAD models.
• Prepare the technical data you provide before the close of the Phase Two Customer Review Period (LGIP Section 7.5.2) and evaluate the modifications LGIP Section 4.4.2 permits during that period.
• Prepare technological advancement requests under LGIP Section 4.4.6 before you return the executed Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement: updated Appendix 1 data, updated PSLF or PowerWorld models, and analysis showing equal or better electrical performance and no reliability concerns.
• Prepare the technical data form you provide with the Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement (Attachment A to Appendix 4) and draft your written comments on the draft Interconnection Facilities Study report.
• Prepare your responses to BPA requests for additional technical information during the Phase Two Cluster Study and Interconnection Facilities Study.

Stage 3: LGIA and Construction

• Review the technical description of the Generating Facility and Interconnection Facilities in the draft LGIA appendices against the study results and the current design.
• Develop a detailed collector system power flow model and perform a reactive power capability study that evaluates the plant against the reactive power requirements at the POI in the Technical Requirements and identifies any additional reactive compensation needed.
• Update the models as detailed design advances (final equipment, collector design, transformer test reports, protection settings) and prepare the updated information submission due before Trial Operation under LGIA Article 24.3, with stability models compatible with BPA's standard models.
• Prepare modification requests under Section I of the Large Generator Interconnection Business Practice for proposed equipment or setting changes. Each request carries the updated Appendix 1, analysis showing equal or better electrical performance, no increase in Interconnection Service and no reliability concerns, and the model package BPA requires: GE PSLF (.epc, .dyd) or PowerWorld (.aux), ASPEN OneLiner (.olr) and PSCAD (.out, .psout).

Stage 4: In-Service (Backfeed), Initial Synchronization and Trial Operation

• Prepare the Technical Plant Data BPA requires before the In-Service (Backfeed) milestone (BPA standard STD-N-000001-02): maximum output, reactive capability, line impedances and ratings, final plant one-line, machine and control parameters, protective relay settings.
• Update the plant models with as-built design parameters, field settings and test reports, and prepare the as-built and as-tested information that supplements the LGIA Article 24 submissions before the Operation Date.
• Perform EMT studies in PSCAD with the as-built models that assess the plant against the disturbance ride-through requirements in the Technical Requirements, and document the results for the evidence you provide under the Generation Model and Performance Attestation before authorization for Commercial Operation.
• Prepare test procedures for the Required Voltage and Frequency Control Performance Commissioning Tests (T1 voltage reference step, T2a to T2c voltage control at low active power, T3a and T3b frequency control) and format the test recordings into the .xlsx submission BPA requires.
• Review the test recordings against BPA's requirements R1 to R3 (voltage control, reactive capability at low active power, primary frequency response) and support follow-up testing if BPA does not approve the results.
• Validate the positive-sequence and EMT models against the commissioning test recordings and update model parameters where the response differs.
• Support your responses to BPA's MOD-032 and FAC-008 data request forms, which the Technical Requirements require before release for Commercial Operation.

Stage 5: Post-Commercial Operation

• Deliver as-built power flow, dynamic and EMT models validated to represent the Generating Facility, as the Generation Model and Performance Attestation requires after Commercial Operation, and as-built ASPEN OneLiner short-circuit models per the Interconnection Model Requirements.
• Screen planned changes to inverters, plant controller settings or firmware, transformers, protection settings or storage capacity against BPA's Qualified Change definition (Technical Requirements Section 14), and update, re-validate and resubmit models when a change alters the equipment response.
• Prepare the information changes LGIA Article 24.4 requires after equipment replacement, repair or adjustment.
• Support your responses to BPA's annual MOD-032 data request and to BPA's generator model data and testing requests under North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) MOD-026-2 and BPA's Generator Owner (GO) Model Data Submission Process.
• Support Generating Facility Repower, Replacement and Surplus Interconnection Service requests with the model data BPA requires: PowerWorld (.aux) or GE PSLF (.epc and .dyd) for Surplus Interconnection Service, GE PSLF (.epc or .dyd) for a Replacement, and the available technical and modeling data for a Repower.