Wind Interconnection and Purchasing

Wind Interconnection Requirements

• The Distributed Resource Interconnection Tariff (scroll to bottom) describes the interconnection requirements for generators that connect to Midwest Energy's distribution system. These generally include connections made on the customer's side of the meter at farms, homes and small businesses. Click on the following links to obtain application forms and sample agreements.
• Exhibit A - Simplified Application and Agreement (For inverter-based units of 10 kW or less.)
• Exhibit B - Expedited/Standard Application (For units larger than 10 kW.)
• Exhibit C - Supplemental Review Agreement (For projects requiring more than 10 hours of engineering time.)
• Exhibit F - Interconnection Service Agreement
• Exhibits D & E are additional study agreements only used for very complex projects. The actual forms are available upon request. The content of these exhibits can be viewed at Exhibit D or Exhibit E
• The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) establishes guidelines for very large projects connected to the high voltage transmission system. SPP procedures and requirements for transmission interconnections are in the Generation Interconnection Studies section of the SPP tariff. Look for links to "Large Generator" documents for projects larger than 20 MW. Use links to "Small Generator" documents for projects smaller than 20 MW.

Wind Energy Purchase Price

• All power supply costs are passed directly to Midwest Energy customers, regardless of the source. For customers' benefit, Midwest Energy wants the lowest possible price.
• The formula for the price paid for energy from wind machines no larger than 25 kW (residential) and 200 kW (commercial) is established by Kansas law and is contained in a Parallel Generation Rider approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission. It has resulted in the following average "buy-back" rates for Midwest Energy:
• 2008: 5.438 cents per kWh
• 2009: 4.094 cents per kWh
• 2010: 3.912 cents per kWh
• Interconnecting customers may choose Midwest Energy’s Net Metering option instead of the Parallel Generation arrangement. In this case customers receive the full retail value for all kWh generated and used in the same month. Any excess generation at the end of the billing period reverts to Midwest Energy.
• NOTE: By law the generator must be appropriately sized for the electric load.
• For wind projects larger than 200 kW, Midwest Energy expects the developer to propose a price. Proposed prices will be compared to expected costs for other conventional and renewable energy sources. Midwest Energy will not enter into contracts that may increase long term costs above other alternatives. The wind energy market is gaining many players, and some will be more efficient than others. Therefore, Midwest Energy has and will continue to use a competitive bidding process for utility scale wind energy purchases.

Midwest Energy’s Role in Wind Generation

• Midwest Energy is a buyer of wind generated power from both small scale turbines and utility scale wind farms. The Cooperative's goal of securing about 50 MW of utility scale wind capacity by 2010 was met via two long-term contracts for wind energy from the Smoky Hills Wind Project near Ellsworth on Interstate 70. The contracted name plate capacity in the Smoky Hills contracts equals 16% of Midwest Energy’s peak demand. In the long run that should supply at least 12% of the annual electric energy used by Midwest Energy’s retail customers.
• Midwest Energy is not a wind energy developer. It has neither the experience nor resources to develop wind projects. From time to time Midwest Energy will issue requests for proposals (RFP) from wind energy developers.
• Small projects may not require a developer. But, even small projects must comply with interconnection requirements discussed above. The wind turbine dealer should be familiar with the procedures. The Smoky Hills wind contracts do not affect the amount of small scale wind energy allowed to interconnect.