Interconnection Evaluation Study. The Interconnection Evaluation Study for a Generator seeking interconnection under this Attachment R may be expedited and completed earlier than the sixty (60) days otherwise required for an Interconnection Evaluation Study hereunder, by examining a limited contingency set that focuses on the impact of the small capacity addition on contingency limits in the vicinity of the capacity resource. Generally, small capacity additions are expected to have very limited and isolated impacts on system facilities in the immediate vicinity. In many cases, the addition of small capacity resources could improve local area performance. However, if local area performances are known to be limited and marginal, the impact of the new resource will be evaluated based on its impact on the contingencies limiting such local area performance. Generation additions will be tested using linear load flow analysis tools. In many cases, small capacity additions will have no adverse impact on generator addition in an area. If violations are observed, more detailed testing using AC load flow analysis tools will be required. Stability analysis generally will not be performed for small capacity additions. If the capacity of an existing generating resource will be increased by twenty (20) MW, or less, stability will be evaluated for critical contingencies only if existing stability margins are small. Stability analysis for new capacity resources of twenty (20) MW, or less, will only be conducted if the new resource is connected at a location where stability margins associated with existing resources are small. Short circuit calculations are performed as part of the Interconnection Evaluation Study for small resource additions, while taking into consideration all elements of the regional plan, to ensure that circuit breaker capabilities will not be exceeded.
