BGE approves special provisions for TradePoint's solar energy project connection

In a recent administrative meeting held by the Public Service Commission in Maryland, discussions centered around the intricacies of energy tariffs and interconnection processes that could shape the future of local power generation. The spotlight was on Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) and its tariff for PURPA-qualified cogeneration and small power production facilities, a framework that has been in place since 1980 and was last amended in 2010.

BGE's tariff, known as Schedule X, includes a special provision requiring small power producers to navigate the PJM small resource interconnection process. This requirement is designed to streamline the connection of new energy sources to the PJM wholesale market. However, complications have arisen, prompting TradePoint, a local energy project, to seek a waiver from this provision. TradePoint aims to bypass the PJM interconnection queue, which has been a source of delays, in order to receive payments based on the energy it produces.

TradePoint's project consists of a rooftop solar photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 9 megawatts, designed to inject energy directly into BGE's distribution network. The company plans to sell this energy to BGE without going through the traditional PJM approval process, arguing that such local sales fall outside federal jurisdiction.

To facilitate this arrangement, BGE proposed setting up a specific PJM short name and contract for TradePoint, allowing the company to receive billing credits for its energy generation. BGE assured that this setup would not affect other customers or the overall distribution revenue, maintaining that the arrangement is consistent with existing contracts for other suppliers in the area.

As TradePoint moves forward with its plans, the implications of this meeting could resonate throughout Maryland's energy landscape, potentially paving the way for more localized energy solutions and innovative financial agreements like virtual power purchase agreements. The outcome of TradePoint's waiver request and its ability to operate outside the traditional interconnection framework may set a precedent for future energy projects in the region.