What's Happening?
Utilities are experiencing delays in processing distributed energy resource (DER) interconnection requests due to the time required to convert field data into engineering-ready inputs. As demand for solar, storage, and electric vehicle infrastructure
rises, review timelines have extended from months to years. While policy reforms are underway, the bottleneck within utility engineering teams is becoming more pronounced. The process of extracting, checking, and formatting data for analysis is often manual, contributing to longer interconnection timelines.
Why It's Important?
The delays in DER interconnection can hinder the transition to renewable energy and the adoption of clean technologies. Efficient interconnection processes are crucial for integrating distributed energy resources into the grid, supporting energy resilience and sustainability goals. Addressing the bottleneck in data processing can accelerate project timelines, enabling utilities to meet increasing demand for renewable energy solutions. This is particularly important as electrification and DER adoption continue to grow, placing additional pressure on existing infrastructure.
What's Next?
Utilities may need to invest in technologies that streamline data processing and improve the efficiency of engineering workflows. Advances in reality capture and computer vision platforms could help convert field data into structured, analysis-ready models, reducing the time spent on data preparation. By prioritizing engineering-ready data and standardizing inputs, utilities can enhance their capacity to process interconnection requests. As the energy landscape evolves, utilities will need to adapt their processes to keep pace with technological advancements and regulatory changes.
