The Pew Charitable Trusts has released an analysis examining how Surplus Interconnection Service (SIS) can increase electricity production at existing US power plants. SIS is a grid interconnection mechanism recognized under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reforms in 2018. SIS allows new generation or storage resources to colocate with operating facilities and use surplus interconnection rights without entering traditional grid interconnection queues, which average five years. Under the FERC framework, power plants larger than 20 MW may apply to add SIS resources. The analysis notes that peaker plants operating only four or five days per year can integrate solar or storage to use approved transmission capacity more consistently. Existing solar facilities may add battery or wind resources to operate beyond daylight hours. The report outlines state-level planning requirements, regulatory consideration, financial incentives and expedited permitting as mechanisms to expand SIS adoption and better utilize unused interconnection capacity at current generation sites.

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