Author: Mike Tabrizi
As transmission network upgrades continue to experience delays for a variety of reasons, PJM’s Interim Deliverability Study Process has gained increased attention among project developers. In simple terms, this process allows certain projects to demonstrate deliverability—and potentially enter service—before the required network upgrades are completed. Additional details on PJM’s Interim Deliverability Study (IDS) are provided below for those interested.
PJMs Interim Deliverability Study (IDS)
An Interim Deliverability Study is a regional analysis conducted by PJM to determine whether a project is deliverable for all or a portion of its output for a specific, defined period. These studies assess short-term system availability and are valid only for the specific RPM auction Delivery Year (June 1 through May 31) for which they are performed. The sections below outline when an IDS is required and how the process works.
When Is an Interim Deliverability Study Needed?
Interim Deliverability Studies are typically required under the following scenarios:
- Early Service Requests – When a project seeks to enter service prior to the base case study year used in its System Impact Study. The base case year is defined by the applicable RTEP case and model used during the interconnection study. For example, if a project was studied using the 2025 RTEP case, that project—and all prior-queued projects—would generally be assumed to have rights through the 2025/2026 Delivery Year.
- Missing Contingent Facilities – When a project requests to come into service before the completion of a required Contingent Facility, such as a Network Upgrade, identified in its System Impact Study or Interconnection Service Agreement (ISA).
Eligibility Requirements and Process
To be eligible for an Interim Deliverability Study, a project must meet the following conditions:
- The project must have an executed Generation Interconnection Agreement (GIA) or ISA, or
- The PJM Project Manager must confirm that execution is expected prior to the 3rd Incremental Auction for the relevant Delivery Year.
Once eligible, the study follows a defined timeline and analytical framework:
- Request Timeline: Developers must submit a request at least 11 months prior to the start of the targeted Delivery Year.
- Public Disclosure: By requesting the study, developers waive confidentiality. Project name, location, identifier, and requested MW output are publicly posted.
- Results Timeline: PJM targets issuance of study results approximately 8 months prior to the start of the Delivery Year.
| Milestone / Event | Timeline Requirement | Description / Notes |
| Study Request Submission | Minimum of 11 months prior to the start of the targeted Delivery Year. | Project Developers must specifically initiate a request to be studied for a particular year; PJM does not perform these automatically. |
| Delivery Year Definition | June 1st to May 31st. | Results of the study are only valid for the specific 12-month RPM auction Delivery Year for which they were conducted. |
| GIA/ISA Eligibility | Prior to the 3rd Incremental Auction. | To participate, a project must have an executed GIA or ISA, or confirmation from a PJM Project Manager that one is expected before this auction. |
| Provision of Study Results | Targeted 8 months prior to the start of the Delivery Year. | PJM aims to provide results in this timeframe to allow for participation in relevant market activities. |
| Validity Period | One Delivery Year. | Even if a project is found deliverable, a new request must be submitted for each subsequent Delivery Year if the conditions (like unbuilt Contingent Facilities) still apply. |
Analytical Methodology:
- The study is based on an RTEP-derived base case corresponding to the specific Delivery Year.
- Projects requesting early service are evaluated against all system violations.
- Projects awaiting Contingent Facilities are evaluated only against violations that the delayed reinforcement is intended to mitigate.
- Deliverability Criteria:
- A project is considered fully deliverable if it contributes less than 1% of the line rating to an overloaded flowgate.
- Contributions of 1% or greater render the project not deliverable for that flowgate.
Study Outcomes and Deliverability Status
If the study is successful, PJM may grant Provisional Interconnection Service, allowing the project to operate—often as an energy-only resource without Capacity Interconnection Rights (CIRs). PJM retains discretion to limit total injections based on study results.
| Deliverability Status | Study Criteria | Outcome / Allocation Methodology |
| Fully Deliverable | A project only contributes to flowgates with a post-study loading of less than 100%, or it has a MW contribution of less than 1% of the line rating to an overloaded flowgate. | The project is considered fully deliverable for its requested output for the specific Delivery Year. |
| Not Deliverable | The project’s MW contribution is 1% or greater of the line rating of a previously overloaded flowgate., | The project is deemed not deliverable; however, PJM may allow Provisional Interconnection Service as an energy-only resource at its discretion., |
| Partially Deliverable | This applies to flowgates that were not overloaded prior to the study but become overloaded at the conclusion of the study., | Deliverable MWs are determined via a cluster study methodology and allocated proportionally based on the project’s MW impact and distribution factor (DFAX)., |
Navigating PJM Interim Deliverability process
ZEG helps developers, utilities, and large-load customers navigate PJM’s Interim Deliverability Study, from eligibility screening and study readiness to flowgate risk interpretation and Delivery-Year strategy.
If you are considering early service or provisional operation in PJM, ZEG can support:
- IDS feasibility assessments
- RTEP alignment and flowgate exposure analysis
- Interconnection and capacity strategy coordination
Contact ZEG to evaluate interim deliverability risk and early-service pathways in PJM.
