What happens to interconnection service when an unit retires?
Renewable developers should know the timelines for studies and rules for suspension of status.
Source - Ameren
Here is a key excerpt from Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Business Practice Manual on Transmission Planning -
“6.2.9 Interconnection Service and Rescission Rights
Generation Resources that are approved to Suspend operation retain interconnection service while the unit is under suspension. The owner of the resource may rescind or modify the dates of the suspension notice at any time. Generator suspension is limited to a maximum of thirty-six (36) Months in a five (5) year period, and failure to return from the generator suspension will result in termination of the interconnection service. Generation Resources that are approved to Retire will lose interconnection service as of the date of the retirement or the end of an SSR Agreement. The owner of the resource may rescind the retirement notice until the time that MISO approves the retirement or terminates the SSR Agreement.”
What happens to interconnection service when a unit is under suspension?
The unit retains the interconnection service if the unit is approved for suspension. That’s the short answer.
What happens to interconnection service when a unit retires?
The unit loses its interconnection service on the date of retirement.
If a unit is needed for reliability, will it get paid?
Yes, these are called Reliability Must Run units in other markets. At MISO, these are called System Support Resources (SSR) units. The grid operators pay variable Operations & Maintenance costs for up to a year to keep these units online until alternative arrangements are made.
How much did MISO pay to keep the Rush Island units 1 and 2 online in 2022?
MISO paid $11.6 Million to keep both SSR units online in 2022.
Where is this information posted?
MISO must file at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) data for Common Metrics report. This SSR cost data is coming from that report.
Source - https://cdn.misoenergy.org/2023-04-24%20Docket%20No.%20AD19-16628668.pdf