Utility interconnection issues with cogeneration

Interest in cogeneration systems for industrial and commercial facilities is rapidly growing. This resurgence can be traced to new federal laws and regulations, rising electric utility rates, and an overall national desire to enhance energy efficiency. Even though cogeneration is not a new technology and the physics are not complex, a variety of critical electric power issues face the facility manager. This paper focuses on some of these management issues. They are: the advantages of interconnecting with the electric utility, the considerations which arise when negotiating a comprehensive cogeneration contract with the utility, and methods for protecting the generator and other electrical systems.