South Dakota

Description: The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission adopted its interconnection standards in May 2009. The standards, which apply to customers of investor-owned utilities, delineate four levels of interconnection for systems up to 10 MW in capacity. All interconnections use the IEEE 1547 standards, and South Dakota’s standards call for reasonable timeframes for application and approval. The requirement of external disconnect switches is authorized, limited interconnection to area networks is permitted, and general liability insurance is required

Links:

• The text of Rule 20:10:36 can be found here.
• For additional information about South Dakota’s interconnection standards, visit the DSIRE database.

Contact:
Brian Rounds
S.D. Public Utilities Commission
Capitol Building, 1st Floor
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3201
Fax: (186) 675-7603
E-Mail: brian.rounds@state.sd.us
Web Site: http://puc.sd.gov

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Description: In February 2008, South Dakota enacted legislation (HB 1123) establishing a voluntary objective that 10% of all retail electricity sales in the state be obtained from renewable and recycled energy by 2015. In March 2009, this policy was modified by also allowing “conserved energy” to meet the objective. The objective applies to all retail providers of electricity in the state. For renewable and recycled energy, the objective is measured by qualifying megawatt-hours (MWh) delivered at retail or by certificates representing credits purchased and retired to offset non-qualifying retail sales. In the legislation, “recycled energy” specifically includes “systems that produce electricity from currently unused waste heat resulting from combustion or other processes and which do not use an additional combustion process,” which includes CHP.
 
Links:

• Authority 1: SDCL § 49-34A-101 et seq.
• Authority 2: S.B. 57
• Authority 3: SDCL § 49-34A-94 et seq.
• For more information, visit the DSIRE database page on this policy.

Contact:
Brian Rounds
S.D. Public Utilities Commission
Capitol Building, 1st Floor
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3201
Fax: (186) 675-7603
E-Mail: brian.rounds@state.sd.us
Website: http://puc.sd.gov

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Description: The Northern States Power Company offers standby service that is charged entirely based upon contracted demand. A reservation fee applies. Energy charges are billed at the customer’s regular rate. Billing demand is based upon the maximum 15 minute demand of the month. There is no ratchet in place. This is viewed as neutral toward CHP. The Black Hills Power Inc.’s standby rate only applies to Qualifying Facilities that are 100kW or smaller. Any larger system must contract individually for standby service. Demand and energy charges are both high, with demand based upon the maximum 15 minute demand or the contract demand. This rate is viewed as not favorable toward CHP.

Links:

• Northern States Power Company’s rates can be found here.
• Black Hills Power Inc. rates are available here [PDF].
• More information about best practices in utility rate design can be found on the EPA’s CHP Partnership website.

Last Updated 08/27/2009

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