Proposed amendments aim to make requirements and processes more comprehensive and standardized
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is proposing to amend the Distribution System Code in relation to the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems and is inviting those interested to provide their feedback by Sept. 16.
The Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code aims to encourage innovation, to improve connection timelines, to clarify the process for connecting a generation or storage DER, to improve economic efficiency and to reduce cost in generating and distributing electricity and to enable customers to take better advantage of DERs as a way to manage energy costs.
The proposed amendments seek to do the following:
The OEB developed these amendments with the help of recommendations from its DER Connections Review Working Group regarding updating timelines, standardizing information requirements and improving connection assessment procedures. The OEB’s work was also informed by the efforts of the Ontario Energy Association and of the Electricity Distributors Association, which have suggested opportunities for improvements in the processes for connecting DERs to licensed electricity distributors’ systems.
Back in August 2019, the OEB began a policy consultation to address the following needs: