Are you looking to connect a distributed energy resource (“DER”), such as a solar, wind, energy storage facilities, etc. to Canadian Niagara Power’s grid? We can help you get connected. Follow our connection process and we’ll review your application.
Canadian Niagara Power follows the latest version of the Ontario Energy Board’s (“OEB”) Distributed Energy Resources Connection Procedures, which is accessible here: Distributed Energy Resouces Connection Procedures.
The following steps outline the process to follow based on the type of DER you are interested in connecting:
Connection Process - Micro DERs (≤ 12kW)
- The first step is to submit a completed Preliminary Consultation Information Request. This step is optional, but we encourage you to complete the preliminary request. The request is free of charge, and we provide you with connection details and allowable capacity.
- After the preliminary consultation, complete and submit Form C – Micro Generation Connection Application.Note: If you’re submitting an application for a net metering project that involves a third-party DER, please review additional requirements outlined on our Net Metering Program web page.
- After reviewing your application, and provided that there is sufficient generation capacity, we will issue an Offer to Connect which outlines the requirements and construction costs to connect your DER.If you decide to proceed with the project, you will be required to pay the connection fees detailed in the Offer to Connect.
- Once the DER has been built according to the requirements outlined in the Offer to Connect, you will need to apply to the Electrical Safety Authority for an electrical inspection and arrange for commissioning verification.
- You will have to complete and submit a signed Commissioning Verification Form
- Prior to energization, you will need to complete and submit the Connection Agreement
- After the Electrical Safety Authority provides us with the electrical inspection “Connection Authorization” we complete the connecting for your DER.
Connection Process - Small, Mid-Sized and Large DERs (> 12kW)
- The first step is to submit a completed Preliminary Consultation Information Request. The request is free of charge, and we provide you with a Preliminary Consultation Report outlining connection details and allowable capacity.
DER requests that meet the following criteria may be eligible for a simplified CIA.
DER Phasing DistributionSystem VoltageNameplate Rating Single-Phase ≤ 25 kV > 12kW and ≤ 30 kW Three-Phase < 15 kV > 12 kW and ≤ 50 kW Three-Phase ≥ 15 kV > 12 kW and ≤ 100 kW Canadian Niagara Power will indicate if the proposed project is eligible for a simplified CIA when providing the Preliminary Consultation Report. - After the preliminary consultation, complete and submit Connection Impact Assessment Application.To conduct the Connection Impact Assessment Study, an application fee is required in accordance with the following CIA Fee Schedule. This fee covers the cost of conducting the Connection Impact Assessment Study.Each Connection Impact Assessment application is subject to a screening process whereby the application is reviewed for completeness, and any deficiencies or omissions are identified that would prevent proceeding to the Connection Impact Assessment step.Please Also Note Following:
- The fees for a DER larger than 5MW will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to a more comprehensive study agreement. A sample study agreement is available for reference.
- A DER connecting on a feeder with other shared upstream Utilities may be required to perform their own Connection Impact Assessment. Details including other Utilities’ cost associated with the processing and implementation of the report, will be provided with the Preliminary Consultation Report.
- If you’re submitting an application for a net metering project that involves a third-party DER, please review additional requirements outlined on our Net Metering Program web page.
- The Connection Impact Assessment is conducted, and a report is generated which will identify whether any distribution system reinforcement or expansion is required. A copy of the Connection Impact Assessment report will be shared, and you will be allocated capacity on the grid.
- A Connection Cost Agreement and Cost Estimate will be issued based on the results of the Connection Impact Assessment and will specify the scope of work to be performed either by you, your contractors or Canadian Niagara Power.If you decide to proceed with the project, you must sign the Connection Cost Agreement and make the required payments.
- We will perform the work required to make the connection. You or your contractor must complete the construction of the DER facility and then apply to the Electrical Safety Authority for an electrical inspection. You must submit final detailed design documents to us for review.
- You will be required to complete and submit a Commissioning Verification Report including the Commissioning Verification Form.
- Prior to energization, you will need to complete and submit the Connection Agreement
- After the Electrical Safety Authority provides us with the electrical inspection “Connection Authorization” we complete the connecting for your DER.
DER Resources
- Under Appendix A of the OEB’s Distributed Energy Resources Connection Procedures is a sample Protection Philosophy. Canadian Niagara Power has replicated this sample protection philosophy as an easily accessible guide to help applicants develop their own protection philosophy document for their own specific project.As the applicant, you’re responsible for ensuring that your protection philosophy adheres to the codes, standards and legislation in place at the time of your application.To help ensure the right protections are in place for your DER, we’ll review your protection philosophy and reach out to you if more information is required.
- At Canadian Niagara Power, the methodology that is used to determine the remaining DER hosting capacity for a specific feeder or station is based on comparing the applicable limit to the capacity existing connected DERs, and involves the following steps:
- Track and maintain list of existing connected DERs and their associated capacities at the feeder and station level.
- Determine the combined total capacity of all existing DER connections at the station and feeder levels.
Determine the station and feeder capacity limit based on the following criteria:
- Station Thermal Capacity – the lower limit of:
- 50% Station Transformer Capacity
- Thermal rating of conductor exiting station.
- Station Short Circuit Capacity – based on:
- Station Equipment Short Circuit Ratings
- Transmission System Code – Station Code Limits
The resulting Station Capacity limit is based on the lesser of the Station Thermal Capacity and Station Short Circuit Capacity.
- Feeder Thermal Capacity – Based on:
- Minimum Feeder Loading Levels
- Feeder Rating and Operating Limits
- Upstream Transmission Constraints – Based on:
- Known available capacity at the Transmission Point of Connection.
- Station Thermal Capacity – the lower limit of:
- Calculate the remaining capacity at the station and feeder levels by subtracting from the applicable capacity limit the combined generation capacity of all connected DERs that connect to the station and/or feeder.
- Connecting new projects to the grid isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes, there simply isn’t enough capacity available, and figuring out where those limits exist can take time and effort. To support this growth and enable smarter planning, the OEB has launched the Centralized Capacity Information Map (“CCIM”), which can help you get ahead by offering an early view of available grid capacity. The map can be accessed using the following link:Whether you’re a municipality, developer, investor, or customer, the CCIM gives you insights that make planning easier and more efficient. While it doesn’t replace the need to contact your local distribution company, it provides valuable context before those conversations begin.
- Due to short circuit capacity limitations, certain feeders supplying UTILTY NAME’s service territory are classified as restricted to Distributed Energy Resources projects’ connection. The restricted feeders list will be updated every three months or as required.
- Canadian Niagara Power does not currently offer flexible hosting capacity arrangements for the connection of DERs.
- The Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program was developed in the province of Ontario in 2009 to encourage and promote greater use of renewable energy sources, including wind, waterpower, renewable biomass, biogas, landfill gas, and solar photovoltaic ("solar PV"). The microFIT Program was a stream of the FIT Program and allows for participation in "micro" renewable energy projects (10 kW or less).The Independent Electricity System Operator (“IESO”) ceased to accept applications under the MicroFIT and FIT programs.Existing projects and their associated contracts can be maintained until the termination of the IESO/Canadian Niagara Power contract. More information on this can be accessed here:
- Net Metering is a program that allows eligible customers to send surplus electricity generated from renewable resources to the utility distribution system and to receive credit towards the energy the customer consumes from the distribution system.For more information, review Ontario Regulation 541/05.
Contact Us
Customers should contact Canadian Niagara Power to determine if there is sufficient generation capacity prior to incurring any significant expenses on a DER project. For more information, please contact our Customer Service Department by phone:
- Fort Erie: 905-871-0330
- Port Colborne: 905-835-0051