What Is a LLP?

A LLP is a schedule that defines the maximum amount of power a customer may use from the grid during specific time periods.

The LLP is a core component of FSC and is incorporated into the customer’s service agreement.

How does SCE design a LLP?

Utilities design LLPs based on:

• Local grid conditions and identified constraints
• Equipment thermal limits (temperature) and operating standards
• Seasonal and daily load patterns
• Safety and reliability considerations

The goal is to safely maximize available capacity while protecting SCE’s equipment and other customers’ reliability. 

What information can customers provide to support LLP development?

In the application for service, customers can provide the following information to indicate if the customer is a good candidate for FSC:

• Expected load profiles by hour or shift
• Identification of flexible or deferrable loads
• Ability to reduce load during peak hours
• Planned use of on-site generation or energy storage
• Operational schedules (e.g., weekday vs. weekend use)
• The planned installation of power import control systems (if any)
• Indication that the customer is willing to operate using a FSC agreement if grid capacity constraints exist

Providing this information does not guarantee eligibility but helps SCE evaluate whether an FSC may be feasible.

Benefits to Customers

An FSC may offer several potential benefits:

• Earlier energization compared to waiting for infrastructure upgrades with the use of SCE approved power import control systems and LLPs
• Improved project power capacity certainty during constrained conditions
• Flexibility to begin operations while long term upgrades are completed

Impact on Energization Timeline

When applicable, an FSC may allow customers to:

• Continue progressing through the energization process
• Access limited capacity earlier than would otherwise be possible
• Maintain their position in the energization process along with all other non-grid constrained requests

An FSC does not accelerate or delay the completion of required capacity upgrades.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

Customers considering an FSC should be aware of potential challenges, including:

• Temporary limits are based on current available capacity and may change due to unforeseen conditions
• the timing to receive full service will depend on the completion of the required grid upgrades
• Incremental customer cost to install and maintain the required load management equipment 

Examples of Customer Costs

Costs vary by project but may include:

• Engineering or consulting support
• Load control or power management equipment
• Protective devices and/or Physical Assurances
• Installation, testing, or commissioning costs
• Operational adjustments or scheduling changes
• Supplemental generation

Who Is a Good Candidate for FSC?

Customers that may be good candidates often share the following characteristics (but not limited to):

• Have installed (or willing to install) a Power Control System (PCS) to manage or shape load
• Operational flexibility during certain hours or seasons
• Readiness to comply with defined load limits
• Project has or will have available supplemental generation to supplement the FSC functionality

Technical Requirements

Participation may require:

• Installation of a Power Control System (PCS) with import power functionality that is certified under UL 3141 (PIL) or otherwise approved by SCE.
• Execute the Flexible Service Connection Agreement which contains all relevant operational requirements and liability provisions.
• Ability to operate within defined LLP limits
• Agreement to monitoring and compliance provisions

Eligibility Determination

While SCE aims to offer FSC to as many customers as possible, SCE notes that not all projects will be eligible for an FSC. Final eligibility determination is made solely by SCE, based on engineering analysis, grid conditions, and customer characteristics.

How Customers Are Enrolled in an FSC

Enrollment typically occurs during the engineering and design phase of the energization process:

1. Customer submits a complete service application.
2. SCE identifies capacity constraints during engineering analysis review.
3. SCE evaluates whether a customer is eligible for FSC.
4. If eligible, SCE discusses FSC with the customer.
5. If both parties agree, an FSC agreement is executed, and SCE can commence to design the required service entrance facilities (if required)

LLP Modifications

While SCE does not intend to make modifications to FSC LLP limits, in some cases, to address abnormal or unprecedented conditions, it may be necessary to adjust (up or down) the LLP values.

In addition, customers that are operating under an FSC may have opportunities to request Annual reassessment of available capacity (at customer’s expense). Such assessment may determine that LLP can be increased or decreased based on the grid conditions at the time of the assessment.

SCE notes that as a normal course of business, SCE will re-evaluate the FCS’s LLP as part of SCE’s Annual Planning Process. This evaluation may result in the need or ability to adjust the LLPs. These annual studies will be completed without cost to the FSC customer.

All modifications are subject to SCE review and approval.

Agreement Termination

SCE Termination

SCE may terminate an FSC if:

• The customer fails to comply with the LLP and has not shown that corrections have been completed in a timely manner
• Safety or reliability concerns arise which were not previously known to SCE. While this is an unlikely scenario, this is a possibility that may occur.
• Full capacity service becomes available

Customer Termination

Customers may terminate an FSC:

• At their discretion
• By transitioning to full service when upgrades are completed
• By withdrawing from the project

Specific terms are detailed in the FSC agreement.

Technologies Supporting FSC Participation

Power Control Systems (PCS)

A PCS is a technology solution that automatically monitors and controls how much power a customer uses and ensures that the FSC customer does not exceed the agreed‑upon LLP. UL3141 is the relevant standard which governs certified PCSs, however, other solutions may be acceptable upon review.

Customers that may benefit most include:

• Large commercial or industrial customers
• Fleet charging facilities
• Customers with flexible or automated load
• Customers who as part of the project are already installing a PCS 

References:

For information on Preliminary Capacity Assessment (PCA) and our engineering process for project submittals please go to:

[SCE EXAMPLE:] Link to Preliminary Capacity Assessment (PCA) (Formerly EAR)