Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review

Case number

EB-2019-0207, EB-2021-0117

Launched

August 13, 2019

Sector

Electricity

Status

Active

Details

Note: As of January 26, 2023, materials related to the DER Connections Review consultation are now located on the OEB’s digital engagement platform. Visit the DER Connections Review project page on Engage With Us

The OEB is commencing an initiative to review its requirements in regard to the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) by licensed electricity distributors. The purpose of this initiative is to identify any barriers to the connection of DERs, and where appropriate to standardize and improve the connection process. The review will be focused on connection of electricity generation, storage and electric vehicle charging facilities connected to the distribution system, either in front of or behind the distributor's meter.

View all documents for EB-2019-0207

View all documents for EB-2021-0117

Updates

Date	Issue / Document
March 7, 2023	The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code regarding the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The amendments are intended to provide further clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a DER. These amendments come into force on June 7, 2023. Notice of Amendments Appendix A — Comparison Version to Existing Code (included in Notice) Appendix B — “Clean” Version (included in Notice)
March 7, 2023	The OEB is making changes to the Reporting and Record-keeping Requirements (RRR) for electricity distributors as part of its ongoing Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Connections Review initiative. These RRR amendments will provide insight into the progress of Ontario’s energy transition. Letter
January 26, 2023	The OEB has received comments from the following stakeholders on the proposed amendments that were issued on January 5, 2023: Advanced Energy Management Alliance Building Owners and Managers Association Electricity Distributors Association Environmental Defence Energy Storage Canada Hydro One Networks Inc. Power Workers’ Union Toronto Hydro-Electric System Ltd
January 5, 2023	The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to amend the Distribution System Code to provide further clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a distributed energy resource to an electricity distributor’s system. Anyone interested in providing written comments on the proposed amendments is invited to submit them by January 26, 2023. Notice of Proposal To Amend the Distribution System Code Appendix A — Proposed Amendments to the Distribution System Code – Comparison Version to Current Code Appendix B — Proposed Amendments to the Distribution System Code – Clean Version Appendix C — Cost Awards (included in Notice)
October 1, 2022	The Distribution System Code (DSC) has been updated with the Amendments that came into force on October 1, 2022. The DSC and Related Documents, including the DER Connection Procedures, are available on the DSC landing page. Distribution System Code (DSC) landing page
June 30, 2022	The OEB has updated the Distribution System Code (DSC) to include code amendments, shown in grey, regarding the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to electricity distribution systems that will come into force October 1, 2022. The DER Connection Procedures (DERCP), along with editable template forms are posted below. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the DSC, DERCP or the forms, please contact IndustryRelations@oeb.ca. Please note that, as of October 1, 2022, these files can now be accessed from the DSC landing page. Distribution System Code (DSC)
March 22, 2022	The OEB has issued the final Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code regarding the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The amendments are intended to improve connection timelines and provide clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a DER. These amendments come into force on October 1, 2022. Notice of Amendments to DSC_DER Connections Review DER Notice - Appendix A - In-line DSC Amendments DER Notice - Appendix B - Clean DSC Text DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked - App C-i - PCIR DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked - App C-ii - Sample PCIR DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked - App C-iii PCR DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked - App C-iv Sample PCR DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked - App C-v CIA Form DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked - App C-vi CIA Instructions DER Notice - Appendix C - DERCP Tracked - App C-vii CIA Form Sample DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-i – PCIR DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-ii - Sample PCIR DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-iii PCR DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-iv Sample PCR DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-v CIA Form DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-vi CIA Instructions DER Notice - Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-vii CIA Form Sample DER Notice - Appendix E - Summary of Stakeholder Comments on DERCP
December 20, 2021	The OEB has issued a Notice of Revised Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code regarding connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The proposed amendments reflect stakeholder comments received on the proposed amendments that were issued on August 6, 2021, and are intended to improve connection timelines and provide clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a DER. Comments are due by January 21, 2022. Notice of Revised Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code Appendix A - Revisions to DSC Amendments Appendix B - Revisions to DSC - Clean Appendix C - DERCP Appendix C - DERCP - App C-i - PCIR_draft Appendix C - DERCP - App C-ii Sample PCIR_draft Appendix C - DERCP - App C-iii PCR_draft Appendix C - DERCP - App C-iv Sample PCR_draft Appendix C - DERCP - App C-v CIA Form Appendix C - DERCP - App C-vi CIA Instructions Appendix C - DERCP - App C-vii CIA Form Sample Appendix D - DERCP Clean Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-i - PCIR_draft Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-ii Sample PCIR_draft Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-iii PCR_draft Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-iv Sample PCR_draft Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-v CIA Form Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-vi CIA Instructions Appendix D - DERCP Clean - App C-vii CIA Form Sample Appendix E - Summary of Stakeholder Comments on DERCP
September 13, 2021	The OEB has issued a letter re: Request for Extension of Deadline for Submissions on Proposed Distribution System Code Amendments. Letter
August 6, 2021	The OEB has issued a Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code regarding connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) to local electricity distribution systems. The proposed amendments, which have been developed based on input from the OEB’s DER Connections Review Working Group, are intended to improve connection timelines and provide clarity and consistency in the process for connecting a generation or storage DER. Comments due September 16, 2021. Notice of Proposal to Amend the Distribution System Code Appendix A - Amendments draft - DER Connections Review_draft Appendix B - Amendments draft - DER Connections Review_draft Appendix C - DERCP Draft - DER Connections Review_draft Appendix C - i Preliminary Consultation Information Request_draft Appendix C - ii Completed Sample - Preliminary Consultation Information Request_draft Appendix C - iii Preliminary Consultation Report_draft Appendix C - iv Completed Sample - Preliminary Consultation Report_draft Appendix C - v CIA Template Form v1_draft Appendix C - vi CIA- Instructions and Guidance Document_draft Appendix C - vii Sample Application Package_draft
November 26, 2020	The OEB has issued two letters providing guidance to distributors to support the efficient and timely connection of customers with Distributed Energy Resources (DER) projects. The letters reflect recommendations and advice from the DER Connections Review Working Group. One of the letters provides clarity on the information that should be exchanged between DER proponents and distributors at the preliminary consultation stage of a DER connection project. This information will assist proponents in determining if it is feasible to proceed to the connection impact assessment stage of their project. The second letter provides information for distributors to aid discussions with prospective DER proponents in relation to a sample protection philosophy for use with connection projects intended for self-supply that use non-exporting, inverter-based technologies. Letter re: Information and Template Forms for Preliminary Consultations on DER Connections Attachment B - Preliminary Consultation Application Attachment C - Preliminary Consultation Report Letter re: Guidance - Protection Philosophy for DER Connections
November 26, 2019	The OEB has issued a letter to provide stakeholders with further details about the working group and logistics for the initial meeting. Letter
November 18, 2019	The OEB has issued a letter that provides a summary of stakeholder comments and outlines the next steps in the consultation. Letter
September 17, 2019	The OEB has received the following comments from stakeholders: Advanced Energy Management Alliance Association of Major Power Consumers in Ontario Bruce Power Building Owners and Managers Association of the Greater Toronto Area Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) Canadian Solar lndustries Association CIMA+ Clean Air Council Electricity Distributors Association Electrical Safety Authority Energy Defence Evolugen Hydro One Networks Inc. Independent Electricity System Operator Kingston Hydro London Property Management Association Ontario Energy Association Ontario Home Builders Association Ontario Society of Professional Engineers Pollution Probe QUEST Ontario CHP Consortium Synergy North Corporation Waterloo North Hydro Inc.
August 13, 2019	The OEB is commencing an initiative to review its requirements in regard to the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) by licensed electricity distributors. The OEB has issued a letter with proposed approach and issues to be considered. The OEB is inviting stakeholders to comment. Letter

Working Group

Date	Issue / Document
October 4, 2022	Tranche 4 - Meeting #2 1. Agenda 2. Facilitation Slides 2.3 FEIWG Report Overview 2.4 Process Proposal - Connection Deposit Refund Timelines 3.1 Meeting Notes 3.2 Summary of Recommendations
August 22, 2022	Tranche 4 - Meeting #1 1. Agenda 2. Facilitation Slides 2.4 Hydro One Update on Transfer Trip 2.5.1 Process Proposal on RRR 2.5.2 Process Proposal on Capacity Allocation Exemption 2.5.3 Process Proposal on Capacity Deposits 2.7.1 Technical Proposal on Uni-Directional EV Issues 2.7.1.1 Technical Proposal with EV Small Group Memo 2.8.1 Technical Update on Risk Framework and Draft PCIR and PCR Revisions 3. Meeting Notes
May 2, 2022	Tranche 3 - Meeting #3 Agenda Facilitation Slides Process on RRR Process on Cost Estimating Technical on Risk Framework Technical on Bi-Directional EV Issues Meeting Notes
September 28, 2021	Tranche 3 - Meeting #2 Agenda Meeting Notes Presentation
August 16, 2021	Tranche 3 - Meeting #1: Meeting Notes
February 16, 2021	Tranche 2 - Meeting #3: Agenda Meeting Notes Presentation
December 8, 2020	Tranche 2 - Meeting #2: Agenda Meeting Notes Presentation
May 26, 2020	Tranche 2 - Meeting #1: Agenda Meeting Notes Presentation
March 25, 2020	Tranche 1 - Meeting #3: Agenda Meeting Notes Presentation Recommendation Documents: ESA Equipment Certification Screening Process Sample Protection Philosophy Preliminary Consultation Application Preliminary Consultation Report Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) Application Application Screening Process Checklist Instructions for CIA Application
December 16, 2019	Tranche 1 - Meeting #2: Agenda Meeting Notes Presentation (as is)
December 4, 2019	Tranche 1 - Meeting #1: Agenda Meeting Notes Presentation (as is) EDA Paper OEA Paper Hydro One Networks Inc. TIR Review - Hydro One is currently in the process of reviewing its Technical Interconnection Requirements (TIR)

Cost Award Matters

Date	Issue / Document
June 12, 2023	The OEB has issued a Decision and Order on Cost Awards for this initiative. Decision and Order
April 13, 2023	The OEB has issued a Notice of Hearing for Cost Awards. Notice of Hearing for Cost Awards
February 14, 2022	The OEB has issued a Notice of Hearing for Cost Awards. Notice of Hearing for Cost Awards
September 3, 2021	The OEB has issued a Decision on Cost Eligibility for the Proposed Amendments to the Distribution System Code. Decision on Cost Eligibility
January 13, 2020	The OEB has issued a Supplemental Decision on Cost Eligibility for this initiative. Supplemental Decision on Cost Eligibility
September 23, 2019	The OEB has issued a Supplemental Decision on Cost Eligibility for this initiative. Supplemental Decision on Cost Eligibility
September 13, 2019	The OEB has issued a Supplemental Decision on Cost Eligibility for this initiative. Supplemental Decision on Cost Eligibility
September 10, 2019	The OEB has issued a Decision on Cost Eligibility for this initiative. Decision on Cost Eligibility