Texas recently established standardized requirements for interconnection of "distributed generation" facilities. The requirements apply to all generating technologies (including wind energy systems) up to 10 megawatts (MW) in size and connected to the utility system at a voltage less than or equal to 60 kilovolts (kV). The requirements cover both technical issues (discussed here) and non-technical issues (discussed in the next section).

The rules impose specific technical requirements on distributed generating facilities. These requirements include:

• General protection and interconnection requirements: The distributed generating facility must meet all applicable local, state, and national construction and safety codes; must be equipped with protective hardware and software designed to prevent the generating facility from delivering power to a de-energized circuit owned by the utility; and must be equipped with appropriate hardware and software to prevent connection or parallel operation unless the utility system service voltage and frequency are of normal magnitude. See Section 25.212(b)(1) – (b)(3). In addition, the distributed generating facility is responsible for protecting itself against system outages, short circuits, and other utility disturbances. The facility’s protective equipment must not cause unnecessary trips of the utility’s own breakers, such that the utility’s ability to provide reliable service to its other customers is adversely affected. See Section 25.212(b)(5).
• Pre-certified equipment: Equipment that is pre-certified for interconnection by a Commission-approved testing organizations or facilities is eligible for interconnection without further review of the design by the facility. See Section 25.212(b)(4).
• Communications links: For distributed generating facilities over 2 MW, the utility may require a communications link to provide communication between the utility and the customer’s facility. See Section 25.212(b)(6).
• Circuit breakers: Circuit breakers at the point of common coupling (between the facility and the utility) must be capable of interrupting maximum fault current, and facilities over 2 MW must have a redundant circuit breaker installed. See Section 25.212(b)(7).
• Manual disconnect: Facilities must include a manual disconnect device capable of providing a visible load break that is appropriate to the voltage level of the facility and accessible to utility personnel. See Section 25.212(b)(8).
• Prevention of interference: The rules include specific technical requirements for preventing interference with the utility system in terms of voltage, flicker, frequency, harmonics, and fault and line clearing. See Section 25.212(c).
• Additional protective requirements for specific types of facilities: The rules provide further specific requirements for certain categories of facilities, including single-phase facilities sized 50 kW or smaller; and three-phase synchronous generators, induction generators, and inverter-controlled generators. See Section 25.212(d) & (e). There are also different requirements for protective functions that vary with the size of the facility. The size categories are 10 kW or smaller; above 10 kW and not more than 500 kW; above 500 kW and not more than 2 MW; and above 2 MW but not more than 10 MW. See Section 25.212(e)(3).
• Site testing and commissioning: All facilities shall provide the capability of testing the functionality of protective features, including the tripping of the generator and the interconnection point. Testing must also be able to verify all protective set points and relay/breaker trip timing. Facility owners are responsible for their own maintenance, and must maintain logs of maintenance performed. Generators above 500 kW must maintain a log of generator operations. See Section 25.212(i).
• Metering: Utilities provide all necessary meters, but facilities must provide a suitable location for the installation of required metering equipment. See Section 25.212(j).

The Texas rules on distributed generation also address a variety of non-technical issues, including:

• Pre-interconnection studies: As noted above, the rules allow utilities to conduct pre-interconnection studies to address concerns regarding the utility system’s ability to accommodate the distributed generating facility. However, the rules limit the utilities’ ability to pass the costs of these pre-interconnection studies on to the developer of the facility. Specifically, the requirements state that the utility may not charge a customer a fee to conduct a pre-interconnection study for pre-certified distributed generation units up to 500 kW that export no more than 15% of the total load on a single radial feeder and contribute not more than 25% of the maximum potential short circuit current on a single radial feeder. See Section 25.211(g)(1). For facilities that do not meet these limitations, utilities can charge a fee for the interconnection study, but the fee is determined in advance based on a fee schedule submitted as part of the tariff each utility must file with the Commission to implement this provision. See Section 25.211(g)(2). Where pre-interconnection studies are performed, the customer must receive an estimate of the study cost before the study begins, the study must be completed within four weeks, the customer must be provided a copy of the study, and the study must consider both the costs and benefits associated with the distributed generating facility.
• Pre-certification of equipment: The rules set up a process for pre-certification of equipment, and provide that pre-certified equipment shall be interconnected in accordance with an approved interconnection control and protection scheme without further review of their design by the utility. The rules provide that certification is to be done by testing organizations or facilities capable of analyzing the function, control and protective systems of distributed generation units, with the Commission deciding which organizations or facilities shall conduct the certifications. See Section 25.211(k).
• Designation of utility contact persons: Each utility is required to designate a contact person for all matters related to interconnection of distributed generating facilities. Contact information must be provided to the Commission, and posted on the utility’s web site. See Section 25.211(l).
• Time periods for processing interconnection requests: The rules provide specific timelines for processing interconnection requests. For distributed generating facilities using pre-certified equipment, utilities must interconnect the facilities within four weeks of receiving a completed application for interconnection. For other facilities, interconnection must take place within six weeks. If interconnection will require substantial capital upgrades to the utility’s system, then interconnection must take place within two weeks of completion of the upgrades. See Section 25.211(m).
• Dispute Resolution: In the event of disputes regarding the application or interpretation of the interconnection requirements, the rules provide a specific process for resolving disputes. See Section 25.211(o).

The full text of the Texas Substantive Rules is available here as a pdf file. You can also download these documents directly from the Public Utility Commission’s web site at this link.

The State offers a number of incentives for the installation of small wind energy systems including:

Solar and Wind-Powered Energy Systems Exemption - This statute exempts taxpayers from any value added by a qualified renewable energy source for property tax purposes. Qualified equipment includes any active solar equipment and any wind devices, as well as transmission equipment.

Solar Energy Device Franchise Tax Deduction - The franchise tax is Texas’s equivalent to a corporate tax; their primary elements are the same. This statute allows a corporation to deduct the cost of a solar (or wind) energy device in one of two ways: (1) the total cost of the system may be deducted from the company’s taxable capital or (2) 10% of the system’s cost may be deducted from the company’s income. Both taxable capital and a company’s income are taxed under the franchise tax.

For information on these state programs, contact:  

Pam Groce 
State Energy Conservation Office  
Phone: (512) 463-1889

We are unaware of any Texas utilities currently offering additional incentives for wind energy development.

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) maintains extensive information on renewable energy including maps identifying the location of wind monitoring stations in Texas, a wind power map of Texas, and descriptions of topography. The site also contains graphs of average summer afternoon wind speeds at 50 meters above the ground.

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office's Renewable Energy Demonstration Program (REDP) has extensive data on the state’s wind energy resources.

The Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) maintains an index of Texas wind maps, an index of South Texas wind maps, and wind-related GIS maps. 

The US Department of Energy has produced wind resource maps for each state, including maps for East Texas and West Texas. You may also find the definitions of wind power classes for the maps helpful.

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network has also collected wind resource data for Texas.

There is additional information in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created.

You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This site contains extensive information about wind resources in the United States.

The American Wind Energy Association maintains a list of wind turbine manufacturers.

The Texas Public Utilities Commission maintains a list of local renewable energy system suppliers and renewable energy links.

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office's Renewable Energy Demonstration Program (REDP) has a listing of renewable energy consultants, contractors, and utility representatives in Texas. The web site also contains factsheets that were developed to cover major renewable energy topics. Some of the factsheets were designed for the general public and some were designed to serve as a resource for classrooms and teachers.

You can also contact AWEA's list of wind turbine manufacturers for a list of installers of their equipment.

We suggest that you contact your local utility and request information on their interconnection policies.

The Texas Public Utilities Commission maintains a list of electric companies serving Texas including contacts for interconnection of generation.

The Texas Public Utilities Commission is responsible for regulations relating to the state’s electric utility industry. The Commission maintains extensive information on energy regulation and on renewable alternatives to line extension. The Commission is also investigating Distributed Resources in Texas. Information on this process can be found here. An informal e-mail list is maintained to facilitate communication on these and related matters.

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) administers and delivers a variety of energy efficiency and renewable programs and publications.

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office's Renewable Energy Demonstration Program (REDP) has funded a program called InfinitePower.org to help accelerate the acceptance of renewable energy resources and technologies in Texas by increasing public awareness, demonstrating new technologies and developing the infrastructure required to escalate their use in existing state programs. Over the past several years, the REPD has funded solar, wind and biomass demonstration projects throughout Texas, and has cosponsored conferences, workshops and other educational efforts, yielding a positive impact on Texan's familiarity with renewable energy.

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network maintains a list of state contacts.

The Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) is a Statewide non-profit organization of companies and individuals involved in solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric energy products and/or services.

The Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition is a network of over 1,700 individuals, businesses, and organizations advocating the use of renewable resources (wind, solar and biomass) and energy efficiency to meet Texas' electric needs.

The Renewable Energy Association of Central Texas (REACT) is a group of individuals dedicated to the building of a sustainable energy future. Their goal is to encourage the development and use of renewable energy sources and energy conservation methods by sharing information, experience and technical skills, and by educating the public and the local, state and federal governments.

The Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) is a major resource for wind energy information for the State of Texas. AEI’s program includes: wind data collection and analysis of wind characteristics; evaluation of wind turbines; research, development, and design of renewable energy systems; classes, seminars, workshops, training programs, publications, and information dissemination; and consulting for industry, governments, and individuals.

The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is an educational organization formed to promote renewable energy applications. TXSES maintains an email list to provide official announcements from renewable energy and energy conservation groups in Texas.

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office's Renewable Energy Demonstration Program (REDP) maintains a list of state organizations active in renewable energy issues.

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