How to Connect to our Power Grid

Anyone planning to interconnect a generator to our electric system is required to follow specific processes and procedures. These processes and procedures vary with the size of the project and the voltage that you intend to interconnect. This flow chart should help determine the process that best fits your generator interconnection project. Throughout the interconnection process we'll work with you to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Which process should you follow?

The descriptions below will help you determine which process best suits your project. Because no two projects are identical, slight variations to the processes and procedures identified below may exist. Please note that additional variations might apply based on how the output will be used (i.e., self-supply, sale to Otter Tail Power Company, or sale to other).

In addition to these procedures, interconnection customers will be required to abide by the guidelines in our technical handbook, which outlines some of the technical requirements when interconnecting a generator, tie-line, or substation to our electric system if it's interconnecting to our transmission system. It also may be required to meet these requirements for some distribution interconnections. To request load interconnection or transmission interconnection, please fill out and send this interconnection request form.

Questions? Email the Generation Interconnection Coordinator at Otter Tail Power Company.

High-voltage transmission system (100 kv and above)

If you wish to interconnect to our high-voltage transmission system, you must submit a request to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) and follow MISO's generator interconnection procedures.

Low-voltage transmission system (41.6 kv-100 kv)

If you wish to interconnect to our low-voltage transmission system, you must submit a request to MISO and follow MISO's generator interconnection procedures.

Distribution system (less than 41.6 kv at more than 10 MW)

If you wish to interconnect to our distribution system, and the project is more than 10 MW, you must submit a request to our company and follow our interconnection procedures. If, via the power flow studies, the project is identified as impacting the transmission system, we'll notify you. You then will be required to submit a request to MISO and must follow MISO's generator interconnection procedures.

Distribution system (less than 41.6 kv at 10 MW or less)

If you wish to interconnect to our distribution system, and the project is 10 MW or less, you must follow the appropriate state processes and procedures for interconnection for distribution generators: