Registering a New Generator - REC
This guide explains how to register a new generator in your M-RETS® organization. If you need help at any point, M-RETS system administrators are available at 651-900-7891 or [email protected]. For definitions of all generator registration fields, see Appendix A of the M-RETS Operating Procedures.
Review Registry Operating Documents
The Registry Operating Procedures detail the requirements and definitions of different types of projects. The Operating Procedures are available here.
Registering a Generator
- After logging in, click on the Generators dashboard on the left.
This dashboard will display any Active, Pending, or Draft generators under your organization. Please note you can register a generator and save it as a Draft if you intend to complete the registration later.
- Click the green Add New Generator button in the top right corner of page.
- Input your generator's chosen name and click Save Draft. You can change the name later in the process.
Your generator is now in Draft status. You can continue to update your generator; however, make sure you save changes by clicking the green Save Draft button in the top right corner.
Complete the Required Registration Fields
After completing all required fields (marked with an asterisk), submit the generator registration for approval. If you are unsure about a field, refer to the table at the end of this article or contact an M-RETS Administrator. Generators with all required information are typically approved within seven business days. If you need faster approval, email [email protected].
Note About Certificate Types
M-RETS supports various Certificate Types. The most common Certificate Type is the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) which tracks the environmental attributes associated with reported generation (MWh) from renewable sources of electric generation.
M-RETS also supports Alternative Energy Certificates (AEC) that track reported generation (MWh) from approved sources of non-renewable electric generation (e.g., Nuclear and Pumped HydroStorage). AECs have been approved by the M-RETS Administrator as having an environmental benefit that should be tracked in M-RETS despite not being considered a renewable source.
Uploading Supporting Documents
M-RETS requires documentation submitted by the registering organization in order to review generator registrations. Please do not submit a generator to pending status without the necessary documentation. Documents are uploaded under the documents tab of the generation registration. Select 'upload document' to perform a local search to upload your relevant documents.
- A completed on-line Generator registration form containing information related to the characteristics of the Generator Asset and associated meter.
- If applicable, a completed Schedule A from the M-RETS Terms of Use outlining the Generator Owner’s Designation of Responsible Party.
- Any documentation requested by M-RETS to verify the registration information which could include:
- Utility Signed Interconnection Agreement
- Utility Certificate of Completion
- State Air Permit
- State or provincial regulatory order
- As built diagram
- Providing a Generator's EIA Entity ID which is an official, unique identification number assigned by EIA can expedite the approval process. The EIA Entity ID is required for all Generators over 1 MW in the United States.
- FERC Qualifying Facility certification (FERC Form 556)
- PURPA Qualifying Facility approval documentation
- If the Generator will use MISO or SPP as the reporting entity, complete the appropriate data release. The form must reflect the correct CP node.
- Documentation supporting the capacity factor calculation and annual output of a generator, (E.g., solar design tools such as Aurora, HelioScope, PVsyst, PV Watts, etc.)
- Multi-fuel Generators must submit to M-RETS a report prepared by a licensed professional engineer containing documentation for measuring and verifying the quantities of each fuel type, the method of determining the net heat content and moisture content of each fuel source, and the heat rate of the Generator. M-RETS will share this documentation with state or provincial regulators upon request of the regulator.
- Generator Assets with installed battery backups must provide documentation to illustrate that grid power used to charge the battery is not metered as generation from the renewable Generating Asset.
You can find the required documentation to register a generator HERE under registration documents. The below documents should be uploaded under the documents tab of the generator registration.
- Schedule A -- for projects registered by a Designated Responsible Party
- Documents that verify ownership and Nameplate Capacity. (Interconnection Agreement, Power Purchase Agreements, Contracts, Engineering Reports)
- Multi-fuel Report (OP Appendix B-3) Multi-fuel Generators must submit to M-RETS a report prepared by a licensed professional engineer containing documentation for measuring and verifying the quantities of each fuel type, the method of determining the net heat content and moisture content of each fuel source, and the heat rate of the Generator. M-RETS will share this documentation with state or provincial regulators upon the regulator's request.
- State Certification documents (OH, WI)
- Line Drawings for installation identifying interconnection and installed devices
- PURPA Qualifying Facility approval documentation
- FERC Qualifying Facility certification (FERC Form 556)
- Providing a Generator's EIA Entity ID
- If this Generator will use MISO or SPP as the reporting entity, complete and upload the MISO or SPP Release Form.
- Documentation supporting the capacity factor calculation and the annual output of a generator (E.g., Engineering report prepared by a licensed professional engineer; solar design tool reports such as Aurora, HelioScope, PVsyst, PV Watts, etc.)
Submission and Review
PLEASE NOTE: Your generator must be submitted for review and approved before generation can be uploaded. Once all required fields have been input and the necessary documentation has been uploaded, the "Submit Generator' button will be available.
The M-RETS Administrator will be notified of the New Asset Registration via email. Your project will then be put into Pending mode until the System Administrator Approves the project or asks for further information.
Please Note: By submitting a generator for approval, the user represents and warrants to M-RETS that all information for this generator shall be true, complete, and correct to the best of its knowledge, information, and belief. Any changes after submission may result in a delay in the approval process.
Static Data Field Information
Required fields are in BOLD
General
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | |
| Unit Name | Generator Name |
| EIA Number | ID number provided by the EIA (if applicable) |
| Qualifying Facility | Purpa Qualifying Facility |
| Reporting and Issuance | |
| Reporting Entity | Who will be uploading MWh generation for this Generator? |
| Issuance Account | This is the account to which all newly issued RECs will be deposited into. |
Location
| Location Information | |
|---|---|
| Country | Physical country where generator is located |
| State/Province | State or Province where generator is located |
| County or Municipality | Physical County/Municipality where generator is located |
| Facility Photo | A photo of the Generator |
Owner
| General Ownership Information | |
|---|---|
| Single-Owner Facility? | Is this facility owned by a single entity? Y/N |
| Additional Owner(s) | If this is not a single owner, list additional owners |
| Ownership Type(s) | |
| Electric Service Provider | |
| Federal Marketer/Power Administrator | |
| Investor-Owned Utility | A privately-owned electric utility whose stock is publicly traded. It is rate regulated and authorized to achieve an allowed rate of return. |
| Irrigation District | |
| Municipal Utility | |
| Privately Owned Distributed Generation | |
| Rural Electric Cooperative | |
| Tribal Organization | |
| Does your Organization own this generator? | If your Organization does not own the generator, you will need to complete and attach a Schedule A form. The Schedule A form is an attestation that your Organization holds the rights to the Certificates. |
| Do you have a PPA? | Yes/No; Power Purchase Agreement - Upload a copy of the PPA documentation |
| Assignment of Registration Rights | Y/N - If the generator is registered by a different entity, that is not the owner, this field must be marked and a Schedule A must be submitted |
| Assignment of Registration Rights Date | Date the Schedule A - Designation of Registration Rights was signed by the owner |
| Court/Regulator Assignment of Rights | Y/N - Court or Regulator Order establishing registration rights must be submitted |
| Court/Regulator Assignment of Rights Date | Date the Court or Regulator Assigned the Registration Rights; Upload a copy of the Court or Regulator Assignment of Registration Rights Documentation |
| Owner Contact Information | |
| Company Name | Owner that holds legal title to the Generator |
| Address | Contact information of owner referenced above |
| City | Contact information of owner referenced above |
| State/Province | Contact information of owner referenced above |
| Zip/Postal Code | Contact information of owner referenced above |
| Country | Contact information of owner referenced above |
| Phone | Contact information of owner referenced above |
| Website | Contact information of owner referenced above |
Operator
| Facility Operator Information | |
|---|---|
| Job Title | |
| Name | |
| Mailing Address | Mailing Address |
| Mailing Address Line 2 | |
| Country | Mailing Country |
| City | Mailing City |
| State/Province | Mailing State/Province |
| Zip/Postal Code | Mailing Zip/Postal Code |
Engineering
| Interconnection Information | |
|---|---|
| Generator Classification | a. Wholesale Generation - Generators that are directly connected to the electric distribution network and sell the generated electricity directly to the wholesale market
b. Wholesale Generation also serving On-Site Loads- Generators that are directly connected to the electric distribution network and sell the generated electricity directly to the wholesale market as well as consume it on-site c. Customer-Sited Distributed Generation - On-site customer generation also known as Distributed Energy Resources |
| Balancing Authority | The responsible entity that integrates resource plans ahead of time, maintains load-interchange-generation balance within a balancing authority area, and supports interconnection frequency in real time. |
| Balancing Authority ID | Identification code for the Balancing Authority (if applicable) |
| Interconnected Utility | The owner or operator of an electrical utility distribution system that a Generator asset will be connected to for purposes of charging or discharging energy. The Interconnecting Utility issues the Interconnection Agreement and Certificate of Completion. |
| Interconnected Utility ID | Identification code for the Interconnected Utility (if applicable) |
| Metering Information | |
| Aggregate Metering | Yes/No - Multiple units that share a common meter that do not share essential generating charictaristics. If there are seperate meters, aggreagation up to 1MW can be submitted using the Distributed Generation Group functionality (contact the M-RETS Adminsitrator) |
| Is this a Revenue Quality Meter? | Y/N |
| Engineering | |
|---|---|
| Commenced Operation Date | In-service date of Generator |
| Nameplate Capacity (MW) in A/C | The maximum rated output of a generator |
| Capacity Factor | The ratio of the electrical energy produced by a Generating Unit for the period of time considered to the electrical energy that could have been produced at the continuous full-power operation during the same period |
| Maximum Annual Energy | Maximum annual output in MWH of the facility in 365 days (either Capacity Factor or Maximum Annual Energy is required) |
| Biomass Net Generation BTU/kWh | Heat rate is one measure of the efficiency of a Generator or power plant that converts a fuel into heat and into electricity. The heat rate is the amount of energy used by an electrical Generator or power plant to generate one kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expresses heat rates in British thermal units (Btu) per net kWh generated |
| Repower Date(s) | If repowered, the in-service date of the repowered Generator |
| ======= | |
| Appendix A: Generator Static Data Fields contains definitions of the static data that is required to be submitted for a generator registration. |
Fuels
| Fuel Type | Fuel Source |
|---|---|
| Biogas | Biogas |
| Biogas | Animal Waste |
| Biogas | Anaerobic digester system |
| Biogas | Liquid fuels derived from plant or animal sources, including but not limited to ethanol, biodiesel, vegetable oil, or animal fats |
| Biogas | Methane or other combustible gases derived from the processing or decay of plant, animal, or municipal solid waste materials |
| Biogas | Constructed in compliance with new source performance standards promulgated under the federal Clean Air Act for a generation facility of that type |
| Biogas | Employs the maximum achievable or best available control technology available for a generation facility of that type |
| Biomass | Biomass |
| Biomass | Method of combustion is Direct Combustion |
| Biomass | Method of combustion is Gasification |
| Biomass | Method of combustion is Liquefaction |
| Biomass | A majority of the fuel source is Agricultural products |
| Biomass | A majority of the fuel source is Wood products |
| Biomass | A majority of the fuel source is Agricultural by-products including wastes |
| Biomass | A majority of the fuel source is mixed municipal solid waste |
| Biomass | A majority of the fuel source is refuse-derived fuel |
| Biomass | Primary woody or herbaceous vegetative matter (plants), including but not limited to wood, grasses, agricultural crops or residues |
| Biomass | Processed plant materials from industry waste sources, including manufacturing, construction, or demolition |
| Biomass | Methane or other combustible gases derived from the processing or decay of plant, animal, or municipal solid waste materials |
| Biomass | Liquid fuels derived from plant or animal sources, including but not limited to ethanol, biodiesel, vegetable oil, or animal fats |
| Biomass | Mixed municipal solid waste and refuse-derived fuel from MSW |
| Biomass | Landfill Gas |
| Biomass | Animal Waste |
| Biomass | Constructed in compliance with new source performance standards promulgated under the federal Clean Air Act for a generation facility of that type |
| Biomass | Employs the maximum achievable or best available control technology available for a generation facility of that type |
| Coal | Coal |
| Diesel | Diesel |
| Fuel Cells | Fuel Cell using renewable fuels |
| Fuel Cells | Fuel Cell using non-renewable fuels |
| Flared Gas | Flared Gas |
| Geothermal Energy | Geothermal Energy |
| Geothermal Energy | Dry Steam |
| Geothermal Energy | Flash Steam |
| Geothermal Energy | Binary Cycle |
| Hydroelectric Water | Hydroelectric Water |
| Hydroelectric Water | Hydroelectric Water with a nameplate capacity that is less than 4MW |
| Hydroelectric Water | Hydroelectric Water with a nameplate capacity that is less than 60MW |
| Hydroelectric Water | Hydroelectric Water with a nameplate capacity that is less than 100MW |
| Hydrogen | Hydrogen |
| Jet | Jet |
| Municipal solid waste | Municipal Solid Waste |
| Municipal solid waste | An energy recovery facility used to capture the heat value of mixed municipal solid waste or refuse-derived fuel from mixed municipal solid waste |
| Municipal solid waste | Anaerobic digester system |
| Municipal solid waste | Landfill Gas |
| Natural Gas | Natural Gas |
| Nuclear | Nuclear |
| Tidal or Wave | Tidal or Wave |
| Oil | Oil |
| Pumped Hydro Storage | Grid Electricity |
| Solar | Solar PV |
| Solar | Solar Thermal |
| Tire Derived Fuel | Tire Derived Fuel |
| WHR | Waste Heat Recovery/Recycled Energy |
| Wind | Wind |
| Waste Oil | Waste Oil |
Program Eligibility
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Alternative Energy Certificate | These are non-renewable, emission-free fuel types. |
| Ecologo Certified | Is this Generator Certified by EcoLogo? |
| IL ABP | IL Adjustable Block Program |
| Illinois Utility Eligibility | Is this Generator Certified by the ICC to meet the IL Utility Program? |
| Iowa Eligibility | Is this Generator Certified by the IUB for the Iowa RPS? |
| Iowa AEP Eligibility | Is this Generator Certified by the IUB for the AEP Program? |
| Iowa Voluntary Green Eligibility | Does this Generator meet the reqiurements/certification standards for the IA Voluntary Green Program? |
| Manitoba Eligibility | Does this Generator meet the requirements for Manitoba? |
| Minnesota Eligibility | Does this Generator meet the Minnesota RPS Reqiurements? |
| Minnesota SES Small Solar Eligibility | Does this Generator meet the Minnesota Small Solar Eligibility Requirements? |
| Montana Eligibility | Is this Generator Certified by the State of Montana for the RPS? |
| North Dakota Eligibility | Does this Generator meet the standards of the ND REO? |
| Ohio Eligibility | Is this Generator Certified by the state of Ohio for the RPS? |
| South Dakota Eligibility | Does this Generator meet the standards of the state of SD? |
| Wisconsin: Bankable Eligibility | Does the Wisconsin PSC recognize this generator as bankable? |
| Wisconsin: Non-bankable Eligibility | Does the Wisconsin PSC recognize this generator as non-bankable? |
Fuel Type and Fuel Source
Please refer to Appendix B-4 of the M-RETS Operating Procedures for Fuel Types.