35 kV and Below INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS - BC Hydro

APPENDIX A DEFINITIONS
Revision Date: May 2010
35 kV and Below Interconnection Requirements for Power Generators
Area Control Centre (ACC) – Each ACC is responsible for the control and operation of an exclusive area
of responsibility. BCH has four ACCs controlling four sections of the BCH grid system.
BCTC – British Columbia Transmission Corporation
BCH System – Encompasses the transmission lines, substations and distribution system operated by
BC Hydro and BCTC.
British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) – The BCUC is an independent provincial agency set up to
regulate energy utilities in the province that distribute and sell electricity and gas.
Distribution – Electrical system operated at 35 kV and below.
Generation Site – the geographical location of the Power Generator(s) equipment. This may be near or
far from the Point-of-Interconnection.
Interconnection Agreement (IA) – A legal document stating the contractual obligations between the PG
and BCH. The document covers, but is not limited to, issues relating to facility ownership, operation,
dispute mechanisms, and technical requirements. The Project Interconnection Requirements are an
appendix to the IA.
Islanding - the condition when a portion of the BC Hydro system is energized by one or more PG facilities
and that portion of the system is separated electrically from the rest of the BC Hydro system.
Point-of-Interconnection (POI) – The physical location in the Distribution system of the change of line
ownership between BCH and the PG. The typical location is the BCH side of the BCH service
termination on the PG entrance disconnect switch and is specified in the Interconnection Agreement.
Power Generator (PG) – A resource to produce electricity that is connected and synchronized to the BCH
system. The Power Generator may consume all or some of the generated electricity on site or it may sell
the generated electricity.
Primary Service – A BC Hydro service voltage of 4.16 kV, 12.5 kV, 25.0 kV or 34.5 kV
Secondary Service – A BC Hydro service voltage of 1-phase 120/240 V, or 3-phase 4-wire 120/208 V or
347/600 V
System Control Centre (SCC) – SCC dispatches generation and performs major system operating
functions.
Transmission – Electrical system operated at 69 kV and above.
Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) – Provides regional electric service reliability through:
development of planning and operating reliability criteria and policies; the monitoring of compliance with
these criteria and policies; the facilitation of a regional transmission planning process; and, the
coordination of system operation through security centers. The territory of operation includes the western
part of the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico. Some WECC requirements apply for
individual synchronous generators rated 10.0 MA and up.
WECC Guidelines (http://www.wecc.biz/main.html)
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