Microgrid Services Tariff

In 2021, Hawaii became only the second state with a formal microgrid services tariff, following California. A microgrid – like a traditional, centralized electric grid – can generate, distribute, and regulate the supply of electricity to customers, but locally and on a smaller scale. Microgrids can provide “grid-interactive solutions” using internet connections for utility grid flexibility and resilience to meet the demand for continuous supply of electric power.

The Public Utilities Commission approved the tariff, effective May 27, 2021 as Rule 30. This foundational “Phase 1” tariff sets the definitions and process for customer and hybrid systems to interconnect with the Hawaiian Electric grid. More information is detailed in this news release.

The Microgrid Services Tariff applies to two types of microgrids:

Customer microgrid where a customer’s infrastructure is exclusively used to supply all their own electricity needs during emergencies (most common for residential and small commercial situations)
Hybrid microgrid in which an operator may combine utility infrastructure and customer infrastructure to supply electricity to microgrid members during an emergency (more common for large commercial or government agency customers)

The Microgrid Services Tariff currently does NOT cover the following types of microgrids:

Hybrid microgrids with peak demand over 3MW on Oahu, 1MW on Maui and Hawaii Island, and 0.5MW on Lanai and Molokai
Hybrid microgrids that operate in “island-mode” under non-emergency conditions
Utility or utility-private partnership microgrids
Remote or virtual microgrids

Customers who already have installed a system of solar-plus-storage that could function as a microgrid through an existing program (i.e. Customer Grid Supply Plus, Customer Self Supply, NEM Plus, or Standard Interconnection Agreement) do not need to reapply for this tariff. Moving forward, customers may continue to apply through their respective Customer Renewable Program and indicate on their initial submission if their system is to be used as a customer microgrid.

If a customer is interested creating a hybrid microgrid, please submit a completed Hybrid Microgrid Application in addition to the appropriate customer renewable program application.

Currently, no additional financial incentives from Hawaiian Electric for either a customer or hybrid microgrid are available beyond the existing programs. Possible incentive payments will be discussed with other topics in the second phase of this proceeding. Timing for these discussions will be set by the Public Utilities Commission.

Contact Information

For questions regarding the Microgrid Services Tariff, please contact: mark.wong@hawaiianelectric.com

Announcements

February 17, 2021: Microgrid Resources Coalition, Division of the Consumer Advocate, and Hawaiian Electric filed its responses to the Parties' Comments
February 10, 2021: Microgrid Resources Coalition, Division of the Consumer Advocate, and Hawaiian Electric filed its comments ("Parties' Comments") to the Feb. 1, 2021 filing
February 1, 2021: Working Group filed redlines to the Tariff and highlighted areas of disagreement
January 21, 2021: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. HST
January 20, 2021: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. HST
January 14, 2021: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. HST
January 11, 2021: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. HST
January 5, 2021: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. HST
December 21, 2020: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. HST
December 10, 2020: PUC issued letter providing guidance
November 30, 2020: PUC Technical Conference
April 27, 2020: Microgrid Resources Coalition, Ulupono, and Consumer Advocate filed comments to Hawaiian Electric’s draft Microgrid Services Tariff
March 30, 2020: Hawaiian Electric files draft Microgrid Services Tariff
February 27, 2020: PUC Technical Conference
February 14, 2020: Working Group Report filed with the PUC
February 6, 2020: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. HST
January 17, 2020: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. HST
January 9, 2020: PUC Status Update
December 13, 2019: Draft Tariff, Modifications to Rule 14H and Rule 24 provided to Working Group for Review
December 3, 2019: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. HST
November 21, 2019: Working Group Meeting scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. HST
November 14, 2019: PUC held a Working Group status update
November 5, 2019: Working Group Webinar scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. HST
October 14, 2019: Working group symposium held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. HST
October 3, 2019: Working group kickoff held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. HST
August 20, 2019: PUC issued Order No. 36481
January 22, 2019: PUC issued Order No. 36106
January 9, 2019: PUC held a technical conference
July 10, 2018: Governor Ige signed Act 200 into law. PUC issued Order No. 35566 opening docket No. 2018-0163.