If you are considering the option of connecting a generator to a utility's electric distribution system, you must meet certain requirements before moving forward. In general, this section applies to smaller generators (e.g., Residential Power Projects).
The Illinois Commerce Commission established Title 83 Illinois Administrative Code Part 466 (Electric Interconnection of Distributed Generation Facilities) to establish standardized applications and review procedures and agreements for customers wanting to connect generators of equal to or Less than 10 MVA in parallel to a utility's electric distribution system. A complete copy of Part 466 is available on the link provided below. The procedures for interconnection are divided into four levels as follows:
Generally speaking, DG facilities that are certified by nationally recognized testing laboratories and meet certain standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Underwriters' Laboratory, and the National Electrical Code, may qualify for interconnection under an expedited review process provided for in Levels 1 - 3. An expedited review of the interconnection request under Levels 1 - 3 is available provided the proposed DG facility passes the screens outlined in Part 466 and does not require construction of facilities by ComEd to protect reliability and accommodate the interconnection of the DG facility. Please see Part 466 for specific qualification requirements (screens) for each interconnection level.
An application fee is charged for each interconnection application submitted. Applications received by ComEd without payment of the application fee will not be entered into the interconnection process for review by ComEd.
You may submit your application for Level 1 Distributed Generation Interconnection or Levels 2, 3 or 4 Distributed Generation online. Apply Now
Questions? ComEd has assembled the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions to provide guidance to common interconnection application inquiries.
A potential applicant may submit a formal written request form along with a non-refundable fee for a pre-application report on a proposed project at a specific site. ComEd will provide the pre-application data to the potential application within 20 business days after receipt of the completed pre-application report request form and payment of the $300 fee. The pre-application report produced by ComEd is non-binding and does not confer any rights; the potential applicant must file an application before it can interconnect with the ComEd system. Your completed pre-application and associated fees (in the form of a check or money order, only; do not send cash) should be sent to the following address:
ComEdAttn: Interconnection Services Department2 Lincoln Center, 9th FloorOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181Email our Interconnection Team
We strongly recommend completing the application process online, as ComEd is making an effort to reduce paper use and streamline the application process. However, printable, mailable forms are available:
If mailing in your forms, the completed application and associated fees (in the form of a check or money order, only; do not send cash) should be sent to the following address:
ComEdAttn: Interconnection Services Department2 Lincoln Center, 9th FloorOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181Email our Interconnection Team1-630-576-8158
This document provides guidance and technical standards applicable to Interconnection Customers planning to install and operate a generator interconnected to the ComEd distribution system. Interconnection Guidelines (pdf)
Whether you're a customer, contractor, or developer, our interactive hosting capacity map can help you identify potential sites for the interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) to ComEd's distribution circuits.
Hosting Capacity is an estimate of the amount of DER that may be accommodated under current configurations at the overall circuit level without significant system upgrades to address adverse impacts to power quality or reliability. The analysis presented provides the circuit level hosting capacity for distribution circuits emanating from a substation at 34kV and below.
The hosting capacity analysis is conducted under current configurations. Each circuit's hosting capacity is determined by evaluating impacts of DER along the three phase distribution mainline.
The hosting capacity analysis represents the overall circuit level hosting capacity only, and does not account for all factors that could impact interconnection costs (including substation constraints).
This map is one tool that customers and developers can use to help assess the available hosting capacity in a given general location.
This map does not restrict applications from being submitted for a particular circuit, but rather is a tool to inform applicants on the amount of generation a circuit has the potential to host without the need for significant system upgrades at the customer's cost.
This hosting capacity data is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the established interconnection application process.
You may submit a formal request for DER interconnection at a specific site online. Apply Now
After your application is determined to be complete, and the applicable fees are paid, ComEd will perform any necessary screening and/or studies based on the information provided as part of the application, such as specific location, generation size, and type. Where applicable, ComEd will offer an interconnection agreement. If specific system impact studies are required, and ComEd system modifications are found to be necessary, the study results will include an indicative cost estimate for the system modifications to accommodate the DER.
Additionally, government permitting procedures designed to minimize environmental and land use impacts are independent of our interconnection process and may limit the suitability of a particular site.
ComEd's electric distribution system is dynamic and ComEd will provide periodic updates to the hosting capacity map. Over time, a location may produce different circuit results. Circuit configurations can change for various reasons. Examples include new loads, undergrounding projects, new circuits, voltage, and reliability.
Once the map is displayed, use the address search tool bar in the top left corner to zoom into a specific address. Zoom in (+) and zoom out (-) icons are available to the left of the search tool bar.
The hosting capacity map utilizes the United States Public Land Survey System (US PLSS) to present results.
The US PLSS is used to subdivide and describe land. It divides the ComEd service territory into townships (6 miles X 6 miles). Each township is subdivided into 36 sections (1 mile X 1 mile). Each section is further subdivided into quarter-sections (1/2 mile X 1/2 mile). Each quarter section is further subdivided into sixteenth-sections (1/4 mile X 1/4 mile).
The interactive map displays the highest circuit hosting capacity at the: Township, Section, Quarter-Section, Sixteenth-Section, and circuit level. Granularity increases as users zoom in.
Circuit level data is visible when zoomed below the sixteenth-section scale.
Each Township, Section, Quarter-Section, Sixteenth-Section, or circuit is color coded based on its maximum hosting capacity value. A legend can also be found in the top left corner of the map.
Click on a Township, Section, Quarter-Section, Sixteenth-Section, or circuit to display the maximum hosting capacity value.
By viewing the map below, you agree and acknowledge that:
The information in this tool is for guidance purposes only and is not guaranteed.
You will not reproduce or use in any other medium, distribute, or otherwise use the tool or its information for any purpose other than the identification of potential sites for the interconnection of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) to ComEd's distribution circuits.
Every interconnection location must be specifically assessed through the formal interconnection process. Subject to your specific situation, ComEd's response may require further action to be taken and/or further expense to be incurred by you in order to complete the interconnection.
Visit the Hosting Capacity Map.
The Interconnection Queue Report is intended to provide interconnection information according to the terms and conditions of ComEd’s Rider IQ Tariff. The Interconnection Queue Report provides the following minimum information for all Distributed Generation (Excluding Level 1 Applications) or Distributed Storage Resource Projects for which a queue position has been assigned:
Each substation and feeder where an interconnection will be made is identified in the reported data by a unique index number assigned for the purpose of reporting interconnection queue information and not by any geographic or operational designation or description. View the Interconnection Queue.
ComEd anticipates that the Interconnection Queue data will typically be updated monthly. If you have any issues viewing the data, please email the ComEd DER Interconnection team.
The Company updates the information provided based on data that is current as of a specific point in time and neither that data nor the queue is represented to be, and may not be relied upon to be, current, complete, or accurate as of any future date.
