Norris Public Power District

Business :: Distributed Generation

Renewable energy and its utilization has been the focus of much interest of late.  A renewable resource is an energy source that is regenerative or virtually inexhaustible. Renewable energy includes solar, wind, biomass, waste, geothermal, and water (hydroelectric). Solar thermal technology converts solar energy through high concentration and heat absorption into electricity or process energy. Wind generators produce mechanical energy directly through shaft power. Biomass energy is derived from hundreds of plant species, various agricultural and industrial residues, and processing wastes. Industrial wood and wood waste are the most prevalent form of biomass energy used by nonutilities. Geothermal technologies convert heat naturally present in the earth into heat energy and electricity. Hydroelectric power is derived by converting the potential energy of water to electrical energy using a hydraulic turbine connected to a generator.  It has become increasingly more common to utilize renewable resources in a distributed fashion, unlike large utility scale generation sources.  In many instances, the distributed generation resource is customer, not utility, owned.

When considering the connection of a distributed generation resource it is important to consider various aspects of the project.  The District has available a Distributed Generation Interconnection Guide that will help the potential distributed generation operator with some of these aspects that are required in order to make the project successful. 

The following procedure has been developed and is required for customer owned distributed generation resources to be interconnected with District facilities:

  • Completion of the District’s Application for Approval of Distributed Generation Interconnection is required prior to constructing an interconnection to the District’s distribution system.  It is important to complete this document early in the process so that the District is aware of your intentions and can research the equipment you propose to connect. 
  • Equipment can be purchased and construction of the interconnection can begin once the Application has been completed and accepted by both parties.  
  • Prior to closing the interconnection switch once construction is complete, an inspection by both the State of Nebraska Electrical Division (NSED) and the District is required.  The NSED should first be contacted by your electrician and upon notification to the District by NSED that your installation has passed NSED requirements, an inspection by the District will follow.  
  • Upon verification of the terms of the interconnection and equipment by the District, both parties will sign the Agreement for the Closed Transition Operation of Distributed Generation and the interconnection switch may be closed.  
  • A signed Agreement is the final step for interconnecting a customer owned distributed generation resource. 

Please be mindful that the installation, interconnection, and operation of a distributed generation resource without an Agreement signed by both parties shall be grounds for immediate disconnection of the District's service without constituting a breach of contract. 

Net- Metering
The District has approved Service Regulation 800-Parallel Operation of Customer's Generating Equpment With District's Service for the installation of distributed generation sources of 25 kW and below.  Service Regulation 800 allows the customer to stay on their existing rate schedule. Download Service Regulation 800 here.

Pursuant to State Statute 70-2005, enacted in 2009, each local distribution utility must publish an annual net metering report.  Norris Public Power District Net Metering Report
December 31, 2012
1.  Total number of qualified facilities:  18
2.  Total estimated rated generating capacity of qualified facilities:  125.63 kW
3.  Total estimated net kilowatt-hours received from customer-generators:  0
4.  Total estimated amount of energy produced by the customer-generators:  98,126 kWh

For any questions regarding distributed generation contact the Norris Public Power District Engineering Department at 1-800-858-4707.

Norris Public Power District ©2013