The document is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), dated September 6, 2024. Its primary purpose is to solicit feedback on a draft Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Interconnection Roadmap, developed under the Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program. The roadmap aims to address challenges in interconnecting DERs, such as distributed solar and battery storage, with electric distribution systems, emphasizing the need for improved interconnection processes due to increased deployment of these resources.
The RFI invites diverse stakeholders—including utilities, regulators, and advocacy groups—to provide input regarding the roadmap's goals, proposed solutions, barriers to implementation, and equity considerations. Feedback will help refine the roadmap, which outlines practical strategies addressing current interconnection issues over the next five years. Respondents should submit their insights electronically by October 7, 2024, and may address multiple specific questions related to the roadmap and interconnection processes.
Overall, the RFI is informational and does not involve the acceptance of proposals for financial assistance, emphasizing that responses will not guarantee future funding opportunities.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding a draft Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Interconnection Roadmap, aimed at enhancing interconnection processes for DERs at the distribution and sub-transmission levels. This RFI seeks public input from a broad community, including utilities, regulators, and energy justice groups, to ensure the roadmap addresses challenges and solutions effectively. The roadmap is a response to the rapid increase in DERs, such as solar and battery storage, which has caused delays in interconnection processes critical for achieving renewable energy goals.
The i2X program, launched in 2022, facilitates discussions to identify barriers, knowledge gaps, and practical solutions for improving interconnection processes. Feedback is solicited on various aspects, including the roadmap's goals, proposed solutions, and potential barriers to implementation. The RFI emphasizes that no funding requests are being accepted at this stage, and submissions will be used for strategic planning only. Responses are due by October 7, 2024, guiding the DOE in developing a more effective DER interconnection framework based on community insights and regional needs.