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  • YVEA COVID-19 Relief Fund Update YVEA has remaining funds available from our relief fund that was approved by the YVEA Board of Directors
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  • Be Alert and Watch Out for Scammers

    As always, members should be on the lookout for suspicious emails, phone calls, or persons impersonating business employees or charitable organizations. If you get a call from someone claiming to represent YVEA, and they make threats or demand immediate payment, hang up and call us at (970) 879-1160. To learn more about how YVEA collects payment visit https://www.yvea.com/payment-options.

    Read more »

  • YVEA Board Meeting 2/23/2021

    DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AND COMMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO REMOTE PARTICIPATION. 

    TO ACCESS THE FEBRUARY 23, 2021 BOARD MEETING PLEASE DIAL 1-720-735-7789 AND WHEN PROMPTED DIAL 26014898#.  VIDEO CONFERENCING IS NOT AVAILABLE. LISTENERS WILL BE ABLE TO COMMENT DURING PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE MEETING THAT BEGINS AT 12:00 P.M.

    *Please note the number has changed from prior months. 

    Read more »

  • February 19: Server Maintenance 6-8 p.m.

    As part of our continued commitment to security and reliability we have our scheduled monthly server maintenance tonight, Friday 2/19/2021 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. During this maintenance window there will be interruptions to SmartHub, Pay-by-phone, and website outage map.  Please call 970-879-1160 if you have any questions. 

    #YVEA #PowerOnTogether 

    Read more »

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Distributed Generation Interconnection

Distributed Generation Interconnection

Distributed Generation Interconnection:

For all new generator interconnections where generators will be parallel to the YVEA system please call Emma Mortenson at 970-871-2242 for information.

  • For existing construction in the YVEA system please have your service order number available.
  • All new interconnections require the following documentation prior to an engineer being assigned to an applicant’s project:

Interconnection Application   


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Distributed Generation Interconnection Policy:

YVEA’s generation interconnection policy is based on IEEE-1547.  Updates to this standard have recently been changed and are currently being reviewed by YVEA for implementation into our future policy.  Members should be aware that this policy can be changed at any time and should be referenced for all new installations to see the revision history of the document and the changes applied.

The current policy can be found at the link below:

YVEA Generator Interconnection Policy


Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement:

In order for a renewable generator to connect to the YVEA system an interconnection agreement must be signed and submitted to YVEA.  These agreements will be provided to the member once their system is approved.  The below documents are provided for reference only and are based on the type of interconnection that is approved.  The Generator Interconnect Policy:

Renewable Energy Interconnection Agreement

 

 

Distributed Generation FAQ's

What steps do I take to interconnect a Distributed Generation (DG) facility?
  • Review the new Distributed Generation Interconnection policy and forms that can be found on our website, www.yvea.com
  • Fill out the Interconnection Application and return to YVEA Engineering to begin the process
  • Provide information about the location, components of the system, system one-line, and any other relevant documents as specified in the application
  • Submit documents to YVEA separately from county approval process and preferably before you begin county process
  • Begin construction once YVEA Engineering approval is granted, as well as county approval if necessary
  • After construction is complete, submit Interconnection Agreement and contact YVEA Engineering for system inspection/test/meter exchange
  • Net metering begins once the test is completed and meter exchanged
What is a Qualifying Facility Energy System?

As defined in the interconnection agreement:
The member’s eligible Qualifying Facility Energy System (system) is a self-contained electric generation system that must comprise: a generating device, direct current disconnect apparatus (if applicable), inverter for the conversion of direct current to alternating current (if applicable), alternating current disconnect with lockout (exterior mounted in close proximity (within 10 feet or at YVEA discretion) to YVEA revenue meter, over-current protective device, and all other related electrical equipment upstream of the over-current protective device. YVEA will supply the recording kWh meter, and is the property of YVEA.

What determines the size of the Qualifying Facility Energy System?

The system size limits are set by the type of service the member now has or would qualify for with new construction:

  • A small service is allowed a system that is capable of producing up to 120% of the member's annual usage or 25 kW, whichever is less
  • A medium or large service is allowed a system that is capable of producing up to 120% of the member's annual usage or 150 kW, whichever is less

Facilities larger than those that are specified above would fall outside of our Level 1 or Level 2 fast tracking process and will require an interconnection study to be completed in order to interconnect with the YVEA system. There are other conditions that may preclude an installation from fast track processing and these conditions are specified in the YVEA interconnection policy.

What is net-metering?

Net-metering is the process whereby energy usage and generation is resolved. This is an automated process through YVEA's revenue meters. For any generation above a given month's usage, the Producer will retain a credit and this credit will be applied to their next months bill. At the end of the calendar year, the Producer will be paid at the current rate for any generation above their usage of the previous year.

What rates are available for a DG system?

Rate 50 is $0.033 per generated kWh above that which was used during a calendar year. The Member will retain ownership of the renewable energy certificates (RECs). Currently, Rate 50 is the only rate available for new DG systems requesting interconnection. Previous rates specified in established interconnection agreements will continue to be honored.

Does YVEA offer rebates or any other incentive for DG interconnection?

In order to keep from raising rates to fund such programs, YVEA's board has elected not to offer rebates or incentives for member-owned DG systems.

Where could I get more information on Renewable Energy Systems (including rebates, installers in the area, etc.)?

The Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (www.yvsc.org) will be able to provide you with more information on Renewable Energy Systems.

What are renewable energy certificates (RECs)?

RECs, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, “[are] market-based instrument[s] that represent the property rights of the environmental, social and other non-power attributes of electrical generation.  RECs are issued when one mega-watt hour (MWh) of electricity is generated and delivered to the electrical grid from an eligible renewable energy source.” (epa.gov) In the United States, RECs can be traded as a commodity.

How does YVEA account for energy generation on my bill?

The energy that your system generates is subtracted from the energy that you use and you are billed for the Net kWh.  If you produce more energy than you use during a  billing period, you will not be billed an energy charge and the excess will be stored in your virtual "bank" for future use. Your banked energy is printed on the monthly bill. If you use more energy than you generate, the difference will be deducted from your banked usage (if available), otherwise, you will be charged the difference.

What are renewable energy fuels?

Some examples of renewable energy fuels would be sunlight, water, wind, biofuels (fallen bark beetle trees, used cooking oil, etc.), and fossil fuel by-products of certain industrial processes (such as natural gas flaring at a gas compression station).  See epa.gov for a complete listing in their Renewable Fuel Standard Program.

What is "islanding"?

Under an outage condition, a DG system that is still producing and is still connected to the grid can create an electric “island”, supplying power to a single or multiple services within proximity of the facility. This can be a significant safety hazard to line crews troubleshooting outages and restoring power.  YVEA requires that a Qualifying Facility have anti-islanding capability and a lockable AC disconnect, in order to maintain complete control of the grid during such events.  In the case of an inverter, this capability is part of the control software for the device. The data sheet should specify whether the device has such capability.

What are the governing codes and standards for a DG system?

While not a complete list that covers all circumstances, here are the main codes and standards: National Electric Code (especially Articles 690 and 705), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1741; IEEE standards 1547 and some parts of 519.  Be aware that while a particular device may have a UL 1741 listing, it does not mean that this approval for one application can be applied to another application.  For example, an inverter may be UL listed for a single-phase application, but not necessarily for a three-phase application. Check the specifics of the UL testing before using the device for  an application for which it was not designed. It is the member’s responsibility that they or anyone acting on their behalf is aware of and in compliance with all applicable codes and standards.

What is involved in the inspection process?

Once the DG facility installation is complete, the member or an agent acting on the member’s behalf will contact YVEA Engineering and let us know that the system is ready for inspection. A member-signed (electronic or manual signature) Interconnection Agreement will be sent to YVEA for signature.  The YVEA Approving Authority will coordinate a time and date to test the system to verify anti-islanding capability, the AC disconnect location and operation, the power production of the system, and any voltage rise on the system.  As well, there will be a meter exchange with the installation of a net meter, measuring power production as well as consumption. A copy of the completed Interconnection Agreement will be provided to the member or the member’s agent.

What is voltage rise?

Voltage rise is the condition whereby an inverter-based system will raise the voltage at the inverter in order to compensate for voltage drop due to loading of the conductors. Often this compensation has the consequence of raising voltage at the point of interconnection. YVEA requires voltage rise calculations for all systems with an inverter located greater than 50 feet from the revenue meter. Voltage rise can be compensated with power factor correction, which is a feature of UL1741 SA tested inverters. According to IEEE 1547, this voltage rise may also be used to maintain voltage levels on the primary distribution system. 

What is the difference between Level 1, 2 and 3 Processing?
  • Level 1 Processing is for certified inverter-based systems that do not exceed 25kW. Even when the proposed facility meets this criteria, there are other aspects of the system that may preclude it from Level 1 processing. Please see Section II of YVEA's Interconnection Policy for a description of such criteria. This is a fast-track process.
  • Level 2 (Fast-Track) Processing is for certified noninverter-based systems that do not exceed 25kW or that cannot be precluded from Level 2 processing due to the factors specified in Section III of YVEA's Interconnection Policy.
  • Level 3 Processing is for systems that do not meet the criteria specified for Level 1 or 2. A system study is required for all facilities processed under Level 3, with the cost born by the Producer. See Section IV of YVEA's Interconnection Policy for more information about Level 3 Processing.
Is there a fee associated with each level of processing?

The fee of $250 will be assessed for Level 1 and 2 to cover Engineering Analysis and Test of the system. The system study called for in Level 3 Processing is $25,000. There may be additional fees for this level of processing depending on the complexity of the system and the time required for Engineering Analysis and Test.

Interconnection Diagram

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2211 Elk River Road

Steamboat Springs, CO 80487


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3715 East US Highway 40

Craig, CO 81625

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