What is the difference between Point of Interconnection and Point of Common Coupling?

• A. P.O.I. is a shared electricity point upstream
• B. P.O.I. is the point where multiple customers connect
• C. P.O.I. is where the project connects to the utility system; P.O.C.C. is a shared point upstream/downstream where multiple customers connect
• D. They are the same concept

Answer: (C)

The difference hinges on where the boundary between the project and the utility lies versus where multiple customers share the same portion of the grid. The Point of Interconnection is the specific interface where a new project—such as a generator or major load—ties into the utility system. It defines the boundary for the interconnection, determining what equipment and studies are the project’s responsibility and where the grid operator starts assessing impact on the local network.

The Point of Common Coupling, on the other hand, is the shared point on the utility’s side where multiple customers connect to the same portion of the distribution network. It serves as the common boundary for several customers, used for coordination, reliability considerations, and often billing for the shared portion of the system.

So, the correct view is that the Point of Interconnection is where the project connects to the utility system, while the Point of Common Coupling is a shared upstream/downstream point where multiple customers connect. The other statements don’t capture this boundary distinction: the interconnection boundary isn’t a general shared point, the interconnection point isn’t defined by multiple customers, and the two are not the same concept.