The energy landscape in the USA is evolving rapidly, driven by the urgent need to transition to cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable sources of power. In this pursuit, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is taking steps to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the national electricity grid. Joining forces with FERC in this transformative journey is Tesla, Inc., a trailblazer in energy solutions. 

Order No. 2023: Effective 11/6/2023

It’s important to note that the changes discussed in this article stem from Order No. 2023, published in the Federal Register and set to take effect on November 6, 2023. This landmark order marks a significant turning point in the quest for a more efficient and accessible energy grid [link below].

Tailoring Project Controls for Efficiency

Tesla’s involvement in these reforms goes beyond advocacy—it’s about driving actionable change. Tesla recognizes that not all energy projects are created equal, especially when it comes to non-synchronous generating facilities. In a bid to enhance efficiency and enable smarter decision-making, Tesla has requested crucial information from developers. This data includes intricate details about the number of generating facilities, power control devices, and technical specifications specific to each project. Armed with this information, developers can tailor their project controls, reducing costs and optimizing performance.

Collaboration for Knowledge Sharing

Tesla, in collaboration with American Electric Power (AEP) and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), has initiated a groundbreaking collaborative initiative. They’ve called on FERC to launch a comprehensive proceeding and host a technical conference, gathering industry experts and stakeholders. The primary objective is to identify valuable information tools, establish consistent and transparent study assumptions, share best practices, and provide guidance to less experienced interconnection customers. This collaborative effort aims to empower all players in the clean energy sector, fostering knowledge sharing and driving progress.

Batteries as Virtual Transmission

Tesla’s innovative thinking extends to considering batteries as virtual transmission resources. This visionary concept unlocks a multitude of benefits, such as providing:

• emergency capacity for congested transmission lines, 
• efficient management of surplus energy generation, and 
• valuable contributions to grid stability

By embracing this concept, the energy industry can optimize existing infrastructure and bolster grid reliability, all thanks to Tesla’s forward-thinking approach.

Advanced Modeling for Precision

In collaboration with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Tesla advocates for the widespread adoption of user-defined library RMS (root mean square current/voltage) positive sequence dynamics models. These models offer a significantly more accurate representation of the technology used by energy resources, resulting in enhanced modeling precision. This advancement is pivotal in supporting the increased adoption of renewable resources. Tesla further encourages FERC to gather comprehensive information from transmission providers about the software tools and resources required to effectively integrate user-defined RMS modeling.

A Novel Approach to Validation

Tesla introduces a pioneering approach to validation for non-synchronous generating facilities. In place of relying solely on attestations or test data, Tesla suggests a more comprehensive “model-to-model” and “product-to-model” benchmarking data submission process. This innovative method promises to streamline the validation process, ensuring greater efficiency and accuracy for both interconnection customers and regulators.

Conclusion

FERC and Tesla, Inc., are at the forefront of a clean energy revolution. Their collaborative efforts transcend advocacy, driving tangible change that benefits both the energy industry and the environment. As they continue to work hand in hand and champion cleaner energy solutions, the possibilities for a greener, more sustainable energy landscape are limitless. Order No. 2023 marks a significant leap towards a brighter, greener energy future, ushering in a new era of accessibility and efficiency in the energy sector.

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Article by Gail Alfar, please credit accordingly. Reference: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/09/06/2023-16628/improvements-to-generator-interconnection-procedures-and-agreements

Thanks to @ArushiSF @teslaenergy @ClementsFERC @FERC