20:10:36:53.  Tier 4 interconnection feasibility study. Upon receipt of the appropriately executed agreement and deposit, the public utility shall commence the tier 4 interconnection feasibility study. The study shall be completed within the timeline agreed to between the parties at the scoping meeting. The study shall evaluate the effects of the proposed small generator facility on the existing public utility and look for possible adverse system impacts. Feasibility study results may include:

          (1)  Initial identification of any circuit breaker short circuit capability limits exceeded as a result of the interconnection;

          (2)  Initial identification of any thermal overload or voltage limit violations resulting from the interconnection;

          (3)  Initial review of grounding requirements and system protection; and

          (4)  Description and estimated cost of interconnection facilities and system upgrades required to interconnect the small generator facility to the public utility in a safe and reliable manner.

          If the applicant asks that the interconnection feasibility study evaluate multiple potential points of interconnection, the public utility shall perform the additional evaluations at the applicant's expense.

          At a minimum, the interconnection feasibility study report shall:

          (1)  State the underlying assumptions of the study;

          (2)  Show the results of the analyses; and

          (3)  Identify any possible adverse system impacts or other potential impacts.

          If the interconnection feasibility study identifies possible adverse system impacts caused by the small generator facility, an interconnection system impact study is required.

          The public utility shall contact the applicant to schedule an optional interconnection feasibility study results meeting to review the feasibility study report and discuss the identified possible adverse system impacts along with any other potential impacts. The parties may also mutually agree to adjust the study timeline determined at the scoping meeting based upon the interconnection feasibility study results.

          Source: 35 SDR 305, effective July 1, 2009.

          General Authority: SDCL 49-34A-27, 49-34A-93.

          Law Implemented: SDCL 49-34A-27, 49-34A-93.