ISO and Utility Interconnection Queues

Interconnection queues are publicly available datasets that describe the various projects seeking to be connected to and energized on a grid within an ISO or utility footprint. In a previous article on interconnection, we discussed interconnection processes, including the manner in which projects are studied according to their position in an ISO or utility’s queue, i.e., serially or in project clusters. The queue typically includes the following:

• Information pertaining to the order in which projects are studied;
  • Data can include the project’s entry/submission by a developer or similar entity into the ISO/utility process
• Variety of data associated with generation and storage projects seeking interconnection, either actively or in the past
  • Projects awaiting initial study, projects awaiting results, withdrawn projects, in-service projects
  • Data might include the project’s size (in megawatts) and resource type (e.g., solar, wind, battery), the transmission owner where the project is located, study status with links to relevant study reports about the project, and potentially other data unique to the ISO/utility (e.g., MISO service type)
  • Data does not include sensitive information which could present a security threat

Interconnection queues make available useful information about recent and upcoming projects across the United States, and this data is useful in a variety of ways to a number of entities. A generation developer might leverage the queue in the context of a prospecting analysis to evaluate a potential project’s economic viability prior to submission into an interconnection queue; an engineer at an ISO or utility might utilize the queue of their ISO to gauge complexity of future interconnection studies; a policy analyst could use the queue to understand the extent of renewable energy development across the United States over time. These examples highlight not only a few examples of the range of applications of publicly available queues, but also their importance to society as more renewable energy is deployed in the energy transition.

Below are links to access each of the queues for the seven ISOs in the United States. Vertically-integrated utilities also have publicly available interconnection queues, and they can be easily found via an Internet search.

• CAISO
• ERCOT
• ISO-NE
• MISO
• NYISO
• PJM
• SPP

At Pearl Street, we’re always looking for new ways to support our customers with their work, especially as it relates to generator interconnection. We’re excited about some of the things we have in the works, especially as it relates to access and usage of data in interconnection queues. If you’re looking for more resources on interconnection queues, contact us to become a preview user of our web platform!

If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about some of the things we’re working on at Pearl Street, reach out to us at hello@pearlstreettechnologies.com. Thanks for reading!