Why DER interconnection queues grow, and how utilities can clear them

Distributed energy resources, or DER, include rooftop and community solar, batteries, small wind and other generation connected to the distribution network. Each one needs the utility's approval before it connects, and each approval depends on a study. As applications multiply, those studies turn into a queue.

What happens to an application

The steps vary between utilities, but most interconnection processes follow a similar path.

• Intake, where the application is checked for completeness and the data the study needs is gathered.
• Screening, where simple cases are separated from those that need a closer look.
• Simulation, where engineers model the network with the new resource to check voltage, thermal loading and protection.
• Compliance checks against technical standards and the local grid code.
• Mitigation and reporting, where any violations and their remedies are written up for approval.

In North America, the technical requirements for connecting DER are largely set by IEEE 1547 (opens in a new tab), alongside each utility's own rules. Elsewhere, national grid codes play the same role.

Why queues grow

Much of the time an application spends in the queue goes on moving data between tools, not on engineering judgement.

• Intake, data preparation, simulation, compliance checks and reporting often happen in separate tools.
• Experienced engineers end up doing administration, preparing models and assembling reports.
• As volumes rise, evaluation deadlines come under pressure and backlogs grow.

Hosting capacity and screening

Hosting capacity describes how much new generation a part of the network can accept before voltage or thermal limits are at risk. Where it is well understood, many applications can be screened quickly, and engineering effort goes to the cases near the limit. Where it is not, every application looks like it needs a full study.

What changes with one pipeline

The biggest gains come from joining the steps up, rather than speeding up any one of them. DER Interconnection from East-West Digital brings the whole lifecycle into one pipeline powered by AI.

• AI agents take in generator applications and prepare the data and simulation models each study needs.
• Simulations run on localised scripts, so utility data and generator IP stay within the corporate network.
• AI agents work alongside deterministic checks to evaluate results against IEEE standards and local grid code requirements, flagging violations.
• A traceable impact study report brings together application data, violations and mitigations for engineers to review and sign off.

The engineer stays in charge of every decision. What changes is how much of their week goes on engineering.

What to look for in any automation

• Traceability, so every automated assessment can be audited and explained.
• Deterministic checks alongside AI, so compliance never rests on a model's judgement alone.
• Data privacy by design, with network models kept inside your own environment.
• Engineers signing off every result, with the evidence in front of them.

For larger generators connecting at higher voltages, the same principles apply to grid code compliance studies, covered in how grid code compliance studies work.