Utility Customer Service: 979-337-7400 (24 hours) | Customer Billing: 979-337-7520
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Jason Lange - Electric Superintendent - Office: 979-337-7427

Distributed Generation

On October 7, 2010, Brenham City Council passed an amendment to Chapter 26 Utilities Section of the Code of Ordinances adding Electric Utility Distributed Generation, also called on-site generation. Distributed Generation reduces the amount of energy lost in transmitting electricity. This is due to the fact that the electricity is generated near where it is used, generally in the same building.

Distributed Generation Online Manual

Get the PDF of the Distributed Generation Manual | Jump to Distributed Generation Downloads

Introduction

Distributed Generation (DG) technologies continue to develop and have reached a level of cost-effectiveness that has led an increasing number of energy consumers to consider the installation of DG systems, especially renewable DG systems. The City of Brenham (CoB) has developed the policies and procedures contained in this Guidelines Manual to ensure DG installations in the CoB service area meet procedural, technical, and operational requirements for the safe interconnection and parallel operation of these systems on the CoB electric distribution system. 

This Distributed Generation Guidelines Manual (DG Guidelines Manual) is intended to provide customers with accurate procedural, technical and policy information that will assist and guide customers through the interconnection process and support informed decisions at every stage or phase of this process.

The DG Guidelines Manual is organized in the following manner:

Distributed Generation Overview - Questions & Answers

What is the purpose of the City of Brenham Distributed Generation (DG) Interconnection Guidelines?

The City of Brenham (CoB) Distribution Generation Interconnection Guidelines Manual was developed to establish the requirements and procedures for the safe installation, interconnection, and parallel operation of distributed generation facilities within the City’s electric service area.

CoB’s DG Interconnection Guidelines are aligned with the Texas Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) DG rules and regulations (P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.211, 25.212 and 25.217) as well as other statutory guidelines, including the Texas Public Utilities Regulatory Act (PURA), which provides for the interconnection and parallel operation of Distributed Renewable Generation with electric utilities in Texas.

The information contained in this Manual has been developed for CoB’s customers that are interested and/or considering the installation of interconnected distributed generation. CoB wants to ensure that our customers have all the technical and procedural information needed to have a full understanding of the requirements involved with this process in advance of any decision to install a DG system.

This Manual also provides information for CoB customers regarding the rate that CoB has put in place regarding the purchase of any energy that is generated by a DG system and delivered to the CoB distribution system. 

The bottom line: CoB is committed to the safe interconnection and operation of all DG installations on the CoB distribution system.

I am a City of Brenham electric customer and considering installing a DG system. Where should I start?

City of Brenham (CoB) customers should contact the City very early in the “DG decision-making” process. Our representatives will be glad to take time to answer questions and provide both technical and procedural information regarding your potential DG installation. The CoB DG Policy is clear: DG systems will not be allowed to interconnect and/or operate until the following steps have occurred:

1. Customer must submit information and application to CoB for the proposed DG system(s). The CoB DG Application Form is included in the CoB DG Interconnection Guidelines Manual and is also available on the City’s website (cityofbrenham.online/dg) and at the City office.
2. The DG application must be reviewed and approved by CoB, prior to installation of the DG system. CoB must confirm that the proposed system meets the technical requirements and specifications and determine if the proposed DG installation requires an engineering study. In some cases, engineering studies are essential to ensure the safe and proper operation of the DG system. Engineering studies may also result in the denial of a DG application.
3. Once the DG system is installed CoB will confirm the installation is consistent with the DG Application and meets all CoB requirements. This inspection must take place prior to interconnecting the DG system with the CoB distribution system.
4. The customer must execute a DG Agreement (DGA) with CoB. A DGA is required prior to interconnecting the DG system with the CoB distribution system. The DGA confirms that the system meets all technical requirements and sets forth the rate at which CoB will purchase any energy that is delivered to CoB (energy in excess of the DG output that is used by the customer).

What are the technical specifications and requirements for the interconnection of a DG system?

The term “technical requirements” can be a little confusing in terms of the DG application, installation, and agreement process. Here are some key things to know and consider regarding technical requirements:

• CoB has adopted the technical requirements and specifications that are aligned and consistent with the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) DG Rule. These specifications set forth the requirements for the safe interconnection and operation of DG systems. These requirements also establish the criteria used to determine if an engineering study is needed.
• Many technical requirements are addressed / covered by having “pre-certified” equipment with appropriate IEEE, UL and other “stamps of approval” from the DG system manufacturer. For most systems, these certifications signal to CoB that the system being installed meets and/or exceeds technical engineering requirements for the major components of the system (e.g., the solar panels and inverter(s)).
• One important technical requirement is the NEC Article 690.12 Rapid Shutdown of PV Systems on Building. CoB will check to ensure that all relevant NEC requirements are met, including PV system circuits installed on or in buildings shall include a rapid shutdown function to reduce shock hazard for firefighters in accordance with 690.12(A) through 690.12(D).
• There are also technical requirements related to the installation. CoB has provided the requirements (technical and procedural) in this Manual. Several of these requirements are included in the DG Application Form and the DG Agreement. These documents are included in this Manual.

Are there any DG system size restrictions or size thresholds to consider?

• The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) defines DG as “10 MW or less”. While this definition is utilized by the CoB, the City has developed a policy that sets a threshold of 20 kW AC and 50 kW AC for certain policies that are provided in this DG Guidelines Manual. 
• The City will require an engineering review on all DG systems interconnected with the CoB, Systems larger than 50 kW AC, the City will require an engineering study to determine if the proposed DG system will be allowed to interconnect to the City’s distribution system. DG systems larger than 50 kW AC will also require a custom DG Agreement (DGA). A standard DGA is included in the Guidelines
• The City encourages customers considering the installation and interconnection of DG system to “right-size” these systems. A good rule to consider is to size DG systems at not larger than 30% of the premise (residence or business) peak demand. For most residences, this means a “right-sized DG system would be in the 2-5 kW AC range.

Does CoB sell and/or install DG systems? Does CoB have listed DG vendors or contractors?

CoB does not sell and/or install DG systems. The City is committed to the safe and reliable operation and maintenance of the CoB distribution system.

CoB understands that our customers look to the City for sound and unbiased information related to electric energy topics and issues. And with that in mind, CoB can provide general industry information to our customers regarding distributed generation. However, CoB will not endorse or recommend systems, vendors, or contractors for DG system installations.

How will CoB account for (and reimburse) for energy that my DG system sends to the electric grid?

CoB will reimburse customers for energy “delivered to” the CoB distribution system at the “avoided cost of generation” rate (ACGR). The ACGR is determined by the average per kWh cost of wholesale generation costs for electric energy purchased by CoB from its wholesale electric energy provider(s). CoB reserves the right to amend the ACGR at any time. Reimbursements will likely take the form of a credit on the customer’s monthly bill; however, CoB may make other arrangements for reimbursement based on the amount of energy that is delivered to the City from the DG system.

What fees are associated with a DG interconnection?

CoB will require permit fees and an application fee plus an Engineer review fee for the interconnection, and parallel operation of a DG system on the CoB distribution system. Please contact:

Development Services
Email: Sarah Hill
Phone: 979.337.7211
Street Address: 200 W. Vulcan, Brenham, TX 77833

The City of Brenham has the following upfront charges associated with DG interconnection.

*All plan submissions should be submitted in 8 ½ x 11 format.

Distributed Generation Definitions

• Automatic Disconnect Device: A switch that is capable of opening and closing automatically at the Point of Interconnection that provides clear indication of the switch position, and when in the open position isolates the distributed generation Battery Storage System.
• City Manager: The City Manager and/or his/her duly authorized representative.
• City DG Contact Person: The person or persons designated by the city Manager to serve as the City's contact for all matters related to distributed generation interconnection.
• Battery Storage System: Technology developed for storing electric charge by using specially developed batteries so the stored energy can be utilized at a later time. The system typically utilizes an electro-chemical solution and includes batteries, inverters, and disconnect switches. The system may be connected to and serve critical loads when utility power is unavailable.
• Commission: The Public Utility Commission of Texas or its successor organization having jurisdiction over the matters herein contained.
• Customer: A person or entity interconnected or seeking interconnection to the Brenham electric system for the purpose of receiving or exporting electric power from or to the Brenham electric system.
• DG Agreement (DGA): An agreement between a customer and the City that sets forth the contractual conditions under which a company and a customer agree that one or more facilities may be interconnected with the City's electric system.
• DG Application: The form of application of a customer seeking interconnection and parallel operation of distributed generation with the City's electric system.
• Distributed Generation (DG): An electrical generating facility located at a customer's point of delivery (point of common coupling) of ten (10) megawatts (MW) or less and connected at a voltage less than sixty (60) kilovolts (kV) which may be connected in parallel operation to the City of Brenham’s electric system.
• Distributed Renewable Generation: Electric generation with a capacity of not more than 2,000 kilowatts provided by a renewable energy technology, that is installed on a retail electric customer's side of the meter.
• Distributed Generation Owner: An owner of distributed generation, the customer on whose side of the meter distributed generation is installed and operated, regardless of whether the customer takes ownership of the distributed generation, or a person who by contract is assigned ownership rights to energy produced from distributed generation located at the premises of the customer on the customer's side of the meter.
• Energy Delivered: Electric energy, measured in kWh, sent / delivered to the Customer (premise) by the City of Brenham.
• Energy Received: Electric energy, measured in kWh, sent / delivered to the City of Brenham distribution system by the DG customer.
• ERCOT: The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. or successor independent organization under Public Utility Regulatory Act (“PURA’) §39.151 for the power region to which the City of Brenham electric system is connected.
• Interconnection: The physical connection of distributed generation to the utility system in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance so that parallel operation can occur.
• Interconnection study: A study or studies that may be undertaken by the City in response to its receipt of a completed DG Application. Pre-interconnection studies may include, but are not limited to, service studies, coordination studies and utility system impact studies.
• Manual Disconnect Device: A manual switch at the Point of Interconnection that provides clear indication of the switch position, and when in the open position isolates the distributed generation from load unrelated to generation of electricity or operation of the facility.
• Networked Services / Networked Secondary: Two or more utility primary distribution feeder sources electrically tied together on the secondary (low voltage) side to form one power source for one or more customers. The service is designed to maintain service to the customers even after the loss of one of these primary distribution feeder sources.
• Parallel Operation: The operation of distributed generation by a customer while the customer is connected to the Brenham electric system.
• Point of Interconnection (Point of Service, Point of Common Coupling): The point where the electrical conductors of the City of Brenham utility system are connected to the customer's conductors and where any transfer of electric power between the customer and the City of Brenham utility system takes place, such as switchgear near the meter.
• Pre-certified Equipment: A specific generating and protective equipment system or systems that have been certified as meeting the applicable parts of this ordinance relating to safety and reliability by an entity approved by the Commission.
• Stabilized: The Brenham electric system shall be considered stabilized when, following a disturbance, the system returns to the normal range of voltage and frequency for a duration of two minutes.

Distributed Generation Technical Requirements

Technical Requirements for the Installation and Parallel Operations of a DG System

1. General Requirements
   1. All interconnections shall comply with P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.212 and successors. In addition, all interconnections shall comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
   2. All interconnections shall comply with local building and electric codes as adopted by the City of Brenham. Installation of all interconnections shall be inspected by the City of Brenham. Inspection and approval of the installation by the City of Brenham is a prerequisite and a continuing condition of interconnection and parallel operation of distributed generation.
   3. Variations from the Technical Requirements herein must be reviewed and approved by the City of Brenham prior to implementation. Variations in the point of interconnection must be approved by the City of Brenham City Manager (or designee) and included in the executed DG Agreement.
2. Protection of line workers and City's system
   1. The distributed generation facility must have an interrupting device capable of interrupting the maximum available fault current, an interconnection disconnect device, a generator disconnect device, an over-voltage trip, an under-voltage trip, an over/under frequency trip, and a manual or automatic synchronizing check (for facilities with stand-alone capability).
3. Manual Disconnect
   1. The customer shall provide and install a manual load break switch that provides clear indication of the switch position to provide separation between the City of Brenham electrical system and the customer's electrical generation system. The location of the disconnect switch must be approved by the City of Brenham. The disconnect switch shall be easily visible, mounted separately from metering equipment, readily accessible to City of Brenham personnel at all times, and capable of being locked in the open position with a City of Brenham padlock. The City of Brenham reserves the right to open the disconnect switch isolating the customer's electrical generating system (which may or may not include the customer's load) from City of Brenham electrical system for any of the following reasons:
      1. To facilitate maintenance or repair of the City of Brenham electrical system, or
      2. When emergency conditions exist on the City of Brenham electrical system, or
      3. When the customer's electrical generating system is determined to be operating in a hazardous or unsafe manner or is or potentially can unduly affect the City of Brenham electrical system waveform, or
      4. When the customer's electrical generating system is determined to be adversely affecting other electric consumers on the City of Brenham electrical system, or
      5. Failure of the customer to comply with applicable codes, regulations, and standards in effect at the time, or
      6. Failure of the customer to abide by any contractual arrangement or operating agreement with the City of Brenham.

4. Rapid Shutdown of PV Systems
   1. Per NEC Article 690.12 Rapid Shutdown of PV Systems on Building: PV system circuits installed on or in buildings shall include a rapid shutdown function to reduce shock hazard for firefighters in accordance with 690.12(A) through 690.12(D).
5. Power Quality
   1. Voltage: The City of Brenham shall endeavor to maintain the distribution voltages on the electrical system but shall not be responsible for factors or circumstances beyond its control. The customer shall provide an automatic method of disconnecting generation equipment from the City of Brenham electrical system within 10 cycles should a voltage deviation greater than +5% or -10% from normal be sustained for more than 30 seconds (1800 cycles) or a voltage deviation greater than +10% or -30% from normal be sustained for more than 10 cycles. If high or low voltage complaints or flicker complaints result from the operation of the customer's electrical generation, the customer's generating system shall be disconnected until the problem is resolved.
   2. Frequency: The City of Brenham shall endeavor to maintain a 60-hertz nominal frequency on the electrical system. The customer shall provide an automatic method of disconnecting generation equipment from the City of Brenham electrical system within 15 cycles should a deviation in frequency of +0.5Hz or -0.7Hz from normal occur.
   3. Harmonics: In accordance with IEEE 519, the total harmonic distortion (THD) of voltage shall not exceed 5% of a pure sine wave of 60-hertz frequency or 3% of the 60-hertz frequency for any individual harmonic when measured at the point of interconnection with the City of Brenham electrical system. Also, the total current distortion shall not exceed 5% of the fundamental frequency sine wave. If harmonics beyond the allowable range result from the operation of the customer's electrical generation, the customer's generating system shall be disconnected until the problem is resolved.
   4. Flicker: The distributed generation facility shall not cause excessive voltage flicker on the City of Brenham electrical system. This flicker shall not exceed 3% voltage dip, in accordance with IEEE 519 (Section 10.5), as measured at the point of interconnection.
   5. Power factor: The customer's electrical generation system shall be designed, operated and controlled at all times to provide reactive power requirements at the point of interconnection from 0.97 lagging to 0.97 leading power factor. Induction generators shall have static capacitors that provide at least 97% of the magnetizing current requirements of the induction generator field. The City of Brenham may, in the interest of safety, authorize the omission of capacitors. However, where capacitors are used for power factor correction, additional protective devices may be required to guard against self-excitation of the customer's generator field.
6. Loss of Source
   1. The customer shall provide approved protective equipment necessary to immediately, completely and automatically disconnect the customer's electrical generation equipment from the City of Brenham electrical system in the event of a fault on the customer's system, a fault on the City of Brenham system or loss of source on the City of Brenham system. Such protective equipment shall conform to the criteria specified in UL 1741 and IEEE 1547.
   2. The customer's generating system shall automatically disconnect from the grid within 10 cycles if the voltage on one or more phases falls and stays below 70% of nominal voltage for at least 10 cycles. The automatic disconnecting device may be of the manual or automatic reclose type and shall not be capable of reclosing until after the City of Brenham service voltage and frequency are restored to within the normal operating range and the system is stabilized.
   3. DG systems equipped with battery storage systems may be equipped with an automatic disconnect switch to isolate from the utility system. Subpanels isolated by the automatic disconnect switch may be energized from the battery storage system. Returning to utility power will be according to section 12.1.
7. Coordination and Synchronization
   1. The customer shall be solely responsible for coordination and synchronization of the customer's electrical generating system with all aspects of the City of Brenham electrical system, and the customer assumes all responsibility for damage or loss that may occur from improper coordination and synchronization of its generating system with the City of Brenham electrical system.
8. Metering
   1. At the point of customer / premise interconnection, the City will provide a standard data recorder (meter) that can measure the “kWh Delivered” and the “kWh Received” in intervals established by the City of Brenham. If special (non-standard) metering is required, the City will identify this requirement and any cost to the customer prior to approval of the DG Application.
9. Interconnection Study
   1. The City of Brenham will determine whether an interconnection study is necessary, based on relevant engineering factors including the output of the system, the location of the system and other City of Brenham distribution system factors. Interconnection studies, include service study, coordination study, and utility system impact study, as needed, and determined in the sole discretion of the City. If the interconnection study is deemed necessary, the City of Brenham shall perform the study under reasonable terms and conditions agreed upon by both the customer and City of Brenham and at the customer's sole expense.
   2. Any modifications or additions to the City of Brenham Electric system identified through the interconnection study as required for the safe and reliable interconnection of Customer’s facility shall be solely at the Customer’s expense. Customer shall not acquire any ownership in such modifications or additions to City of Brenham distribution system.
   3. The interconnection study may conclude the proposed system may not be approved / authorized by the City. In such cases, the City will make the study available to the customer and may also offer recommendations for modifications that could result in authorization to proceed with a revised system.
   4. No study fee will be charged if the proposed generation site is not on a networked secondary and if all of the following apply:
      1. The proposed generation equipment is pre-certified. Generation equipment that are less than 20 kW AC shall be considered pre-certified if a UL 1741 listed inverter that also meets IEEE 1547 specifications is used. For solar PV installations, to be pre-certified system must have UL 1703 listed PV modules, and
      2. The proposed generation system does not expect to export more than 15% of total load on the feeder, and
      3. The proposed generation system does not contribute more than 25% of the maximum possible short circuit current of the feeder.

10. The distributed generation facility must have interrupting devices capable of interrupting the maximum available fault current, an interconnection disconnect device, a generator disconnect device, an over-voltage trip, an under-voltage trip, an over/under frequency trip and a manual or automatic synchronizing check (for facilities with standalone capability). Facilities rated over 10kW, three-phase, must also have reverse power sensing and either a ground over-voltage or a ground over-current trip depending on the grounding system. Grounding shall be done in accordance with UL 1741, IEEE 1547, and NEC Article 250.
11. Three-Phase Generators.
    1. Synchronous machines:
       1. The distributed generation facility's circuit breakers shall be three-phase devices with electronic or electromechanical control.
       2. The Customer is solely responsible for proper synchronization of its generator with the City of Brenham system.
          1. The excitation system response ratio shall not be less than 0.5.
          2. The generator's excitation system shall conform to the field voltage versus time criteria specified in ANSI Standard C50. 13-1989.
       3. Induction machines: The induction machines used for generation may be brought up to synchronous speed if it can be demonstrated that the initial voltage drop at the point of interconnection is within the flicker limits specified in this document.

12. Inverters:
    1. Line-commutated inverters do not require synchronizing equipment.
    2. Self-commutated inverters require synchronizing equipment.
13. The distributed generation equipment shall be designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with, but not limited to, ANSI standards, UL standards, IEEE standards, the National Electrical Code, ERCOT Operating Guides and any other applicable local, state, or federal codes and statutes. In the case of a conflict between the requirements in this document and any of those standards or codes, this document shall prevail.
14. ERCOT Registration: Distributed Generation systems with installed capacity greater than or equal to 1MW AC, which may export energy into the City’s Distribution System, are required to register with ERCOT. Systems less than 1MW AC that plan to participate in the ERCOT wholesale market must also register with ERCOT.

Distributed Generation Procedural and Policy Requirements

Process Overview

• Customer must submit information and application to CoB for the proposed DG system(s). The CoB DG Application Form is included in the CoB DG Interconnection Guidelines Manual – and is also available on the City’s website (cityofbrenham.online/dg) and at the City offices.
• The DG application must be reviewed and approved by CoB, prior to installation of the DG system. CoB must confirm that the proposed system meets the technical requirements and specifications and determine if the proposed DG installation requires an engineering study. In some cases, engineering studies are essential to ensure the safe and proper operation of the DG system. Engineering studies may also result in the denial of a DG application.
• Once the DG system is installed CoB will confirm the installation is consistent with the DG Application and meets all CoB requirements. This inspection must take place prior to interconnecting the DG system with the CoB distribution system.
• The customer must execute a DG Agreement with CoB. This agreement is required prior to interconnecting the DG system with the CoB distribution system. The DG Agreement confirms that the system meets all technical requirements and sets forth the rate at which CoB will purchase any energy that is delivered to CoB (in excess of the DG output that is used by the customer).

Customer Provided Information

• The information regarding the characteristics of the DG System are as specified in the Application for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of Distributed Generation with the City of Brenham electric system filed by the Customer with City of Brenham;
• The DG System and associated other electrical components and devices meet National Electrical Code standards;
• All permits, inspections, approvals, and/or licenses necessary for the installation or operation of the DG System have been obtained. The DG System has been successfully tested to UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 standards or has been satisfactorily tested by an independent laboratory with published results.
• Customer shall provide manufacturer's data or other written proof acceptable to City of Brenham to verify the accuracy of the foregoing warranties and representations. If any of foregoing warranties and representations are inaccurate, City of Brenham may, without waiver of or prejudice to any other remedy, immediately disconnect the DG system from the City of Brenham electric system and terminate this agreement.

Energy Purchases

• City of Brenham will purchase from Customer and Customer will sell exclusively to City of Brenham the electrical output from the DG system that is “received” by the City of Brenham Distribution System. During the term of this Agreement, Customer shall exclusively purchase from City of Brenham its requirements of electric energy above the amounts generated by the DG system.
• The City of Brenham shall pay Customer for the “kWh Received” (energy received by the City of Brenham’s Distribution System) at the “Avoided Cost of Generation Rate” (ACGR). The ACGR is determined by the average per kWh cost of wholesale generation costs for electric energy purchased by CoB from its wholesale electric energy provider(s). CoB reserves the right to amend the ACGR at any time.

Metering

 At the point of customer / premise interconnection, the City of Brenham will provide a standard data recorder (meter) that can measure the “kWh Delivered” and the “kWh Received” in intervals established by the City of Brenham. If special (non-standard) metering is required, the City of Brenham will identify this requirement and any cost to the customer prior to approval of the DG Application.

Interconnection Study

The City of Brenham will determine whether an interconnection study is necessary, based on relevant engineering factors including the output of the system, the location of the system and other City of Brenham distribution system factors. Interconnection studies, include service study, coordination study, and utility system impact study, as needed and determined in the sole discretion of City of Brenham. If the interconnection study is deemed necessary, the City of Brenham shall perform the study under reasonable terms and conditions agreed upon by both the customer and City of Brenham and at the customer's sole expense.

Any modifications or additions to the City of Brenham’s Electric system identified through the interconnection study as required for the safe and reliable interconnection of Customer’s facility shall be solely at the Customer’s expense. Customer shall not acquire any ownership in such modifications or additions to City of Brenham’s distribution system.

The interconnection study may conclude the proposed system may not be approved / authorized by the City of Brenham. In such cases, the City of Brenham will make the study available to the customer and may also offer recommendations for modifications that could result in authorization to proceed with a revised system.

No study fee will be charged if the proposed generation site is not on a networked secondary and if all of the following apply:

• The proposed generation equipment is pre-certified. Generation equipment that are less than 20 kW AC shall be considered pre-certified if a UL 1741 listed inverter that also meets IEEE 1547 specifications is used. For solar PV installations, to be pre-certified system must have UL 1703 listed PV modules, and
• The proposed generation system does not expect to export more than 15% of total load on the feeder, and
• The proposed generation system does not contribute more than 25% of the maximum possible short circuit current of the feeder.

DG System - Customer Responsibilities

Customer shall be solely responsible for the design, installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of the DG System and Customer's interconnection facilities. The interconnection of the DG System to the City of Brenham electrical system shall comply with the Public Utility Commission of Texas Substantive Rules §25.212 relating to Technical Requirements for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of On-Site Distributed Generation, (16 Texas administrative Code §25.212) or any successor rule addressing distributed generation. City of Brenham shall inspect the DG System and the interconnection equipment. All costs to interconnect with the City of Brenham electric system shall be the responsibility of Customer. City of Brenham shall not be required to take or pay for any energy generated by the DG System until the DG System successfully passes City of Brenham’s Field Inspection and Customer shall have reimbursed City of Brenham for all its interconnection costs. Maintenance of the DG System shall be performed in accordance with the applicable manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.

Right to Temporarily Curtail and/or Interrupt

City of Brenham shall not be obligated to accept and shall have the right to require Customer to temporarily curtail, interrupt, or reduce, deliveries of energy in order to construct, install, maintain, repair, replace, remove, investigate, inspect, or test any part of the interconnection facilities, equipment, or any part of the City of Brenham electric system. City of Brenham may disconnect, without notice, the DG System from the electric distribution system, if, in City of Brenham’s opinion, a hazardous condition exists, and such immediate action is necessary to protect persons, or City of Brenham’s facilities or other customers' facilities from damage or interference caused by Customer's DG System or lack of properly operating protective devices.

City Access

Customer hereby grants City of Brenham access on and across its property at any reasonable time to inspect the DG System and the interconnection equipment, to read or test meters and metering equipment, and to operate, maintain and repair City of Brenham’s facilities. No inspection by City of Brenham of the DG System or the interconnection facilities shall impose on City of Brenham any liability or responsibility for the operation, safety or maintenance of the DG system or Customer's interconnection facilities.

Liability Insurance Requirements

For Facilities 50 kW and Smaller: The Customer is not required to provide a certificate of insurance coverage to City of Brenham. It is recommended, however, that the Customer carry liability insurance coverage which insures the Customer against all claims for property damage and for personal injury or death arising out of, resulting from or in any manner connected with the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Customer’s generating equipment.

For Facilities Larger than 50 kW: The insurance requirements will be determined based on the size of the system and the engineering analysis. It is recommended that the Customer carry liability insurance coverage which insures the Customer against all claims for property damage and for personal injury or death arising out of, resulting from or in any manner connected with the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Customer’s generating equipment.

Distributed Generation Interconnection Application (online)

Distributed Generation Agreement

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between the City of Brenham (City) and Customer (Customer).

City of Brenham owns and operates a municipal electric utility engaged in the distribution of electricity serving the City of Brenham and portions of Washington County, Texas; and Customer intends to construct, own, operate, maintain, and connect to the City of Brenham electric distribution system, a Distributed Generation system (DG System) with a nameplate rating less than or equal to 50kW AC at address:

________; and the parties hereto wish to contract for the purchase and sale of the electrical output from the DG System, and the terms of its interconnection with the City of Brenham electric distribution system. THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereby contract and agree with each other as follows:

Article 1.0 | This Agreement shall be effective as of the date of execution by the latter of the two parties (the Effective Date) and, subject to the other terms of this Agreement, shall continue in effect for a period of one year, and month to month thereafter.

Article 2.0 | The DG System will be installed at Customer's premises at the address specified above. Customer shall install, operate, and maintain the DG System in full and faithful compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and generally accepted industry codes and standards, including, but not limited to the National Electrical Safety Code and the National Electrical Code. Customer shall promptly notify City upon receipt of any citation or other official notice of alleged violation of laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations concerning the DG System.

Article 3.0 | Customer warrants and represents that:

3.01 | The information regarding the characteristics of the DG System are as specified in the Application for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of Distributed Generation with the City Electric system filed by the Customer with City;

3.02 | The DG System and associated other electrical components and devices meet National Electrical Code standards;

3.03 |    All permits, inspections, approvals, and/or licenses necessary for the installation or operation of the DG System have been obtained. The DG System has been successfully tested to UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 standards or has been satisfactorily tested by an independent laboratory with published results.

3.04 | Customer shall provide manufacturer's data or other written proof acceptable to City to verify the accuracy of the foregoing warranties and representations. If any of foregoing warranties and representations are inaccurate, City may, without waiver of or prejudice to any other remedy, immediately disconnect the DG system from the City electric system and terminate this agreement.

Article 4.0 | City will purchase from Customer and Customer will sell exclusively to City the electrical output from the DG system that is “received” by the City’s Distribution System. During the term of this Agreement, Customer shall exclusively purchase from City its requirements of electric energy above the amounts generated by the DG system.

Article 5.0 | The City shall pay Customer for the “kWh Received” (energy received by the City’s Distribution System) at the “Avoided Cost of Generation Rate” (ACGR). The ACGR is determined by the average per kWh cost of wholesale generation costs for electric energy purchased by City from its wholesale electric energy provider(s). City reserves the right to amend the ACGR at any time.

Article 6.0 | At the point of customer / premise interconnection, the City will provide a standard data recorder (meter) that can measure the “kWh Delivered” and the “kWh Received” in intervals established by the City. If special (non-standard) metering is required, the City will identify this requirement and any cost to the customer prior to approval of the DG Application.

Article 7.0 | The City will determine whether an interconnection study is necessary, based on relevant engineering factors including the output of the system, the location of the system and other City distribution system factors. Interconnection studies, include service study, coordination study, and utility system impact study, as needed and determined in the sole discretion of City. If the interconnection study is deemed necessary, the City shall perform the study under reasonable terms and conditions agreed upon by both the customer and City o and at the customer's sole expense.

Any modifications or additions to the City’s Electric system identified through the interconnection study as required for the safe and reliable interconnection of Customer’s facility shall be solely at the Customer’s expense. Customer shall not acquire any ownership in such modifications or additions to City’s distribution system.

The interconnection study may conclude the proposed system may not be approved / authorized by the City. In such cases, the City will make the study available to the customer and may also offer recommendations for modifications that could result in authorization to proceed with a revised system.

No study fee will be charged if the proposed generation site is not on a networked secondary and if all of the following apply:

• The proposed generation equipment is pre-certified. Generation equipment that are less than 20 kW AC shall be considered pre-certified if a UL 1741 listed inverter that also meets IEEE 1547 specifications is used. For solar PV installations, to be pre-certified system must have UL 1703 listed PV modules, and
• The proposed generation system does not expect to export more than 15% of total load on the feeder, and
• The proposed generation system does not contribute more than 25% of the maximum possible short circuit current of the feeder.

Article 8.0 | Customer shall be solely responsible for the design, installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of the DG System and Customer's interconnection facilities. The interconnection of the DG System to the City electrical system shall comply with the Public Utility Commission of Texas Substantive Rules §25.212 relating to Technical Requirements for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of On-Site Distributed Generation, (16 Texas administrative Code §25.212) or any successor rule addressing distributed generation. City shall inspect the DG System and the interconnection equipment. All costs to interconnect with the City electric system shall be the responsibility of Customer. City shall not be required to take or pay for any energy generated by the DG System until the DG System successfully passes City’s Field Inspection and Customer shall have reimbursed City for all its interconnection costs. Maintenance of the DG System shall be performed in accordance with the applicable manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.

Article 9.0 | City shall not be obligated to accept and shall have the right to require Customer to temporarily curtail, interrupt, or reduce, deliveries of energy in order to construct, install, maintain, repair, replace, remove, investigate, inspect, or test any part of the interconnection facilities, equipment, or any part of the City electric system. City may disconnect, without notice, the DG System from the electric distribution system, if, in City’s opinion, a hazardous condition exists, and such immediate action is necessary to protect persons, or City’s facilities or other customers' facilities from damage or interference caused by Customer's DG System or lack of properly operating protective devices.

Article 10.0 | Customer hereby grants City access on and across its property at any reasonable time to inspect the DG System and the interconnection equipment, to read or test meters and metering equipment, and to operate, maintain and repair City’s facilities. No inspection by City of the DG System or the interconnection facilities shall impose on City any liability or responsibility for the operation, safety or maintenance of the DG system or Customer's interconnection facilities.

Article 11.0 | Customer shall indemnify, defend and HOLD harmless City of Brenham, its elected and non-elected officials, officers, agents and employees from and against any and all liabilities, losses, claims, damages, actions, suits or demands for damages (including costs and attorney's fees, both at trial and on appeal) arising out of, resulting from, or in any manner connected with the breach of any warranty or representation made by Customer in this Agreement, or in any manner connected with the design, construction, operation, maintenance or repair of any part of Customer's DG System or interconnection facilities, including, without limitation liabilities, losses, claims, damages, actions, suits or demands for damages for or on account of personal injury to, or death of, any person, or damage to, or destruction or loss of, property belonging to Customer, City of Brenham or any third person.

Article 12.0 | For Facilities 50 kW and Smaller: The Customer is not required to provide a certificate of insurance coverage to City of Brenham. It is recommended, however, that the Customer carry liability insurance coverage which insures the Customer against all claims for property damage and for personal injury or death arising out of, resulting from or in any manner connected with the installation, operation and maintenance of the Customer’s generating equipment.

For Facilities Larger than 50 kW: The insurance requirements will be determined based on the size of the system and the engineering analysis. It is recommended that the Customer carry liability insurance coverage which insures the Customer against all claims for property damage and for personal injury or death arising out of, resulting from or in any manner connected with the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Customer’s generating equipment.

Article 13.0 | After the initial term of 12 months, this agreement shall continue in force thereafter unless terminated by either party giving at least thirty (30) days written notice to the other.

Article 14.0 | Notices given under this Agreement are deemed to have been duly delivered if hand delivered or sent by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to:

If to City:

City of Brenham
200 W. Vulcan, Brenham, TX 77833
Attn: City Manager

If to Customer:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

The above-listed names, titles, and addresses of either party may be changed by written notification to the other.

Article 15.0 | A material failure of either party to fully, faithfully, and timely perform its obligations under this Agreement shall be a breach of this Agreement. In the event of a breach which is not cured within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice to the party in default, the party not in default may terminate this Agreement. If Customer is in breach of this Agreement, and such breach continues for thirty (30) days after written notice from City, City may disconnect the DG System or otherwise suspend taking energy from Customer. All rights granted under this section are in addition to all other rights or remedies available at law or under this Agreement or the applicable City Utilities Rules and Regulations.

Article 16.0 | This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and by binding upon the heirs, successors, or assigns of each of the parties hereto. Customer may not assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of City. Any assignment without such consent shall be null and void.

Article 17.0 | This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and can be amended only by agreement between the parties in writing. In the event any provision of this Agreement, or any part or portion thereof, shall be held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the obligations of the parties shall be deemed to be reduced only as much as may be required to remove the impediment.

Article 18.0 | The failure of either party to insist in anyone or more instances upon strict performance of any provisions of this Agreement, or to take advantage of any of its rights hereunder, shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provision or the relinquishment of any such right or any other right hereunder.

Article 19.0 | This Agreement and all disputes arising hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Venue for all such disputes shall be proper and lie exclusively in Washington County, Texas.

Distributed Generation Diagrams

Images coming soon - currently in the Guidelines Manual

Large DG Systems (>50 kW)

DG Systems Larger than 50 kW (AC)

City of Brenham (CoB) has established a “DG size level threshold” for DG systems larger than 50 kW (AC) (we will refer to system in this size category as “large DG”). This threshold is not arbitrary, but is linked to certain industry, regulatory, and contractual obligations and requirements for the City.

To provide CoB customers considering the installation of large DG systems with accurate and important information, the City has developed a list of policy and procedural information points:

1. The technical, policy, and procedural requirements contained in this Guidelines Manual apply to large DG systems.
2. The CoB may utilize the DG Agreement (DGA) contained in the Guidelines Manual in full or in part as the basis for a DGA with customers installing and interconnecting approved large DG systems. CoB reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions contained in the DGA.
3. CoB has a contractual responsibility to communicate and coordinate with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) regarding any / all large DG systems. This responsibility is related to the Wholesale Power Agreement (WPA) between LCRA and CoB. There are provisions in the WPA that may impact the application and engineering review process.
4. CoB must also comply with SB398, which is a law that applies to DG systems with a capacity of 250 kW – ≤10MW. SB398 establishes certain requirements for the CoB including the following:
   • Must purchase generation at wholesale or agreed upon price;
   • Must provide wholesale transmission service (including distribution voltage);
   • Must provide a standard interconnect application;
   • Must utilize reasonable costs, including good faith interconnect cost estimate 30 days from submission of interconnect agreement;
   • Must completed interconnect 240 days from payment received (for distribution system / facility upgrades);
   • Under SB398 CoB may limit the total amount of large DG to “no more than 5% of CoB ERCOT “4-CP”, which is calculated annually by ERCOT.

Distributed Generation Downloads

• Distributed Generation Guidelines Manual
• Application
• Agreement
• Summary
• FAQs

BEFORE YOU DIG - DIAL 811. IT'S THE LAW!

Color codes for Utilities Markings

• Water - Blue
• Sewer - Green
• Gas - Yellow
• Electric - Red
• Reclaimed Water - Purple
• Communications - Orange
• Proposed Evacuation - White

Digging can be dangerous. There are buried utilities throughout the city. Hitting a utility line can be both dangerous and costly. Without knowing the locations of the buried utilities, you jeopardize your safety as well as others and the inconvenience of being without the service.

Before beginning any project that requires you to move earth, DIAL 811. This is a free service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The locate center will contact the city and the utility departments will mark their lines within 2 business days. Wait the required time - at least 2 business days. Once lines are marked, dig with care and dig safely by hand-digging within 18 inches of any marking.