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Grid Balancing

Interconnection: Connecting Clean Energy to the Grid

Understanding the complex process of connecting renewable energy projects to the electrical grid

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What is Interconnection?

Interconnection is the process of connecting renewable energy projects to the electrical grid. It's the critical bridge between clean energy generation and delivery to consumers. Without proper interconnection, even the most efficient solar panels or wind turbines cannot contribute to the clean energy transition.

The interconnection process involves technical studies, regulatory approvals, and infrastructure upgrades. It can take years and cost millions of dollars. In many regions, interconnection queues have grown dramatically as renewable energy development has accelerated, creating significant bottlenecks for new projects.

The Interconnection Bottleneck

Interconnection queues in the US have grown from hundreds to thousands of projects waiting to connect. This backlog delays clean energy deployment and increases costs for developers and consumers alike.

Interactive Interconnection Queue Visualizer

Total Capacity in Queue
0 MW
Projects Completed
4
Avg. Wait Time
0 days

View Queue Timeline

Interconnection Queue Status

Solar Farm A
100 MW • Submitted: 1/15/2022
Connected
Completed: 6/20/2023
Wind Project B
200 MW • Submitted: 3/10/2022
Under Study
Est. completion: 12/15/2025
Battery Storage C
50 MW • Submitted: 5/22/2022
In Queue #15
Solar+Storage D
75 MW • Submitted: 7/8/2022
In Queue #23
Wind Project E
150 MW • Submitted: 9/14/2022
Under Study
Est. completion: 3/30/2026
Solar Farm F
120 MW • Submitted: 11/30/2022
In Queue #8
Microgrid G
25 MW • Submitted: 1/5/2023
Connected
Completed: 2/18/2024
Wind Project H
300 MW • Submitted: 2/20/2023
In Queue #31
Solar Project I
180 MW • Submitted: 4/12/2023
In Queue #42
Battery Farm J
90 MW • Submitted: 6/8/2023
Connected
Completed: 8/15/2024
Wind Project K
250 MW • Submitted: 8/22/2023
Under Study
Est. completion: 9/10/2026
Solar+Wind L
320 MW • Submitted: 10/14/2023
In Queue #67
Microgrid M
35 MW • Submitted: 1/20/2024
Connected
Completed: 11/5/2024
Storage Project N
120 MW • Submitted: 3/15/2024
In Queue #89
Wind Farm O
400 MW • Submitted: 5/30/2024
In Queue #123

Queue Bottlenecks

Interconnection queues can delay renewable energy projects by years. The bottleneck occurs at the study phase where detailed technical analysis determines grid impact and upgrade requirements.