1 23.05.2014

European codes & guidelines for the application

of advanced grid support functions of inverters

Roland Bründlinger

Senior Engineer

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria

PV Distribution System Modeling Workshop, Santa Clara, May 6, 2014

Contents

Background – Development and challenges of grid connected PV in Europe

Overview of current grid codes and requirements in Europe

Outlook on the new ENTSO-E Network Code

Summary & recommendations

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Contents

Background – Development and challenges of grid connected PV in Europe

Overview of current grid codes and requirements in Europe

Outlook on the new ENTSO-E Network Code

Summary & recommendations

3 23.05.2014 3 23/05/2014

Evolution of European cumulative installed PV capacity

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For comparison:

Total installed generation capacity in

EU27 2011 approx. 850 GW (eurelectric figures)

Net power generation capacity added in the EU28 in 2013

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PV now covers 3% of the overall and 6% of the

peak electricity demand

PV has been the top newly-added generation

capacity together with wind for the 3rd year.

Within growing share of RES in the generation

mix, grid and market/system integration

challenges are becoming more and more

important for the future PV deployment.

Spatial distribution of installed capacity (W/per inhabitant)

Source: EPIA, ”Global Market Outlook 2017”, May 2013

Bavaria:

>800 W/inhabitant

Italy: >6% of

electricity demand

Some key facts about PV grid

connection in Europe (end

2013)

About 80 GW installed in

EU27

95% of the capacity is

connected at the

distribution levels

Numerous regions/DSOs

already coping with High

PV penetration (>100%)

PV has become a game

changer in the European

electricity market

The role of PV in the European national electricity systems

Key Challenges

Increased variability and uncertainty

Increasing share of non-rotating generation

Increasing share of distribution system connected generation

Provision of grid support services by RES?

Penetration levels in some regions and countries have reached levels where full PV grid integration becomes critical to guarantee operational stability

Coordinated development of Grid Code requirements for PV and DG needed.

7

Source: EPIA 2013, Reservices Project 2014

Contents

Background – Development and challenges of grid connected PV in Europe

Overview of current grid codes and requirements in Europe

Outlook on the new ENTSO-E Network Code

Summary & recommendations

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Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

Country specific grid codes and standards

Up to now no EU wide directive on DER/PV grid interconnection

Country specific grid codes, standards, DSO guidelines…

Different legal and administrative levels

Fundamental differences between the countries

Generally complex, intransparent situation

Issues for manufacturers and project developers

Specific product settings for each country/market

Interpretation of the requirements and application in practice

Increased costs and reduced competiveness

Critical issues for power system operation

Lack of coordination and compatibility

Risk of losing system security during critical events due to undefined behavior of DER

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Current requirements for advanced grid support by PV

Connection to LV distribution grids

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Full set of advanced grid support

requirements mandatory for :

DE: Systems >16 A (2012)

AT: Systems >16 A (2013)

IT: Units >3 kVA (2012)

DK: Systems >16 A (2013)

Main functions:

Reactive power control (typ.

PF(P) characteristic

Frequency control P(f)

No trip at low frequency

Remote limitation of P output

(DE, AT, IT)

Current requirements for advanced grid support by PV

Connection to MV distribution grids

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Full set of advanced grid support

requirements:

DE (2008), IT (2011), AT (2013),

DK (2013), FR (2008)

Selected requirements:

ES, PT, UK, CZ, BE…

Typically for MW scale

generators

Main functions:

Reactive power control

Voltage control PF(U)

Frequency control P(f)

Remote power limitation

FRT (=LVRT)

Contents

Background – Development and challenges of grid connected PV in Europe

Overview of current grid codes and requirements in Europe

Outlook on the new ENTSO-E Network Code

Summary & recommendations

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Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

The new ENTSO-E Network Codes

2009: European Agency for the Cooperation of

Energy Regulators (ACER) issued an official

mandate to ENTSO-E (European Network of

Electricity TSOs) to develop draft “Network Codes”

A set of rules applying to one aspect of the

energy sector

Developed by ACER, ENTSO-E & market

participants (transparent process)

Become legally binding (comitology process)

Ultimately have the same status as a

European Regulation

Goal: Strengthen the European internal electricity

market

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Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

The new ENTSO-E Network Code RfG

Network Code on “Requirements for Grid Connection applicable to all Generators (RfG)” is one of the first projects, aiming at

Establishing legally binding EU wide harmonization of grid interconnection requirements

Ensuring and increasing the system security with a growing share of RES and variable generation

Avoiding future regret and costly retrofits to ensure security of supply

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Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

Basic approach

Applicable to all generators >0.8 kW

Balance European settings and regional specifics

Proportional approach from smallest generation to largest plants

Application for (all) new generators in order to

ensure system security in a changing environment

accommodate evolution in the generation portfolio

reduce costs through standardization.

Application for existing generators (retrofit) only if

technically justifiable,

benefits demonstrated by Cost Benefit Analysis

approved by National Regulatory Authority

15 5/23/2014 https://www.entsoe.eu/major-projects/network-code-development/requirements-for-generators/

Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

Standardized definition of generator types and

associated functionalities/ requirements depending on

transmission grid region

connection level (voltage)

generator capacity and technology (synchronous or converter based)

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Type D

Type C

Type B

Type A

• Wide-scale network operation and stability

• Balancing services

• Stable and controllable dynamic response

• covering all operational network states

• Automated dynamic response and resilience to events

• System operator control

• Basic capabilities to withstand wide-scale critical events

• Limited automated response and control

Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

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Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

Overview of aspects and requirements addressed by the RfG

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Addressed system

aspect

Requirement Type

A

Type

B

Type

C/D

Frequency stability Operating frequency ranges X X X

RoCoF withstand capability X X X

Limited Frequency Sensitive Mode - Overfrequency X X X

Constant active power output regardless of changes in

Frequency

X X X

Limitation of power reduction at underfrequency X X X

Automatic connection X X X

Remote ON/OFF X X

Active power reduction remote control X

Additional requirements related to frequency control X

Provision of synthetic inertia X

Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

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Addressed system

aspect

Requirement Type

A

Type

B

Type

C/D

Robustness of

power generating

modules

Fault-ride-through X X

Post-fault active power recovery X X

System restoration Coordinated reconnection X X

General system

management

Control schemes and settings X X

Electrical protection and control schemes and settings X X

Priority ranking of protection and control X X

Information exchange X X

Additional requirements to monitoring X

Voltage stability Reactive power capability X X

Fast reacting reactive power injection X X

Additional requirements for reactive power capability

and control modes

X

Overview of aspects and requirements addressed by the RfG

Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

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Some further aspects related to the RfG

Eventually, the RfG will have the character of a EU directive Later amendments will be very difficult

Definitions in RfG leave wide room for variation/interpretation by the local TSOs/NRAs

After its implementation the RfG will

Define system relevant minimum requirements for all generators

Provide a basis for national codes and standards

However, the RfG will not

Provide a true harmonization of the requirements across Europe

Provide “product specifications” which can be easily be implemented by manufacturers

Provide harmonized certification, type testing or modeling procedures

Provide requirements related to communication protocols or technologies (e.g. IEC 61850, DNP3)

Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

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Recent steps

Jan-March 2012: Open public consultation with all stakeholders

July 2012 – March 2013: Review of RfG draft by ACER

October 2013: Implementation Guideline published

European Commission comitology procedure started in January 2014

Further implementation of the code at national level via existing processes

Definition of detailed local requirements and conditions by national

TSOs in collaboration with NRAs

Amendments/ modifications to existing national guidelines

Planned to be legally binding from 2017

Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe

ENTSO-E RfG Network Code

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Resources

RfG webpage:

https://www.entsoe.eu/major-projects/network-code-

development/requirements-for-generators/

Final version of RfG Network code:

https://www.entsoe.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/_library/resources/RfG/13

0308_Final_Version_NC_RfG.pdf

Implementation Guideline:

https://www.entsoe.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/_library/resources/RfG/13

1016_-_NC_RfG_implementation_guideline.pdf

Contents

Background – Development and challenges of grid connected PV in Europe

Overview of current grid codes and requirements in Europe

Outlook on the new ENTSO-E Network Code

Summary & recommendations

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Summary and key conclusions

In Europe the role of PV has changed from a marginal technology to a

visible player in the electricity market

PV and grid parity further massive deployment in short and near term

In particular Germany acts as show-case for high-penetration PV and

provision of grid support (voltage, frequency…) by decentralised PV

Coordinated approach for integrating PV on high penetration levels is crucial

to ensure system stability and security

Addressed by upcoming ENTSO-E network code “Requirements for

Generators”

Open collaboration between TSOs, DSOs and PV industry necessary

Redefinition of the interaction between DSOs and TSOs needed

The development in some European regions and countries shows that large-

scale integration of PV is technically feasible without threatening security of

supply.

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PV&RES grid integration

A brief overview of current RTD&D projects in Europe

ECOGRID EU www.eu-ecogrid.net

metaPV www.metapv.eu

PV GRID http://www.pvgrid.eu

REserviceS www.reservices-project.eu

IGREENGrid www.igreengrid-fp7.eu

PV PARITY www.pvparity.eu

And numerous other national projects/demonstrators

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Thank you very much for your attention!

Roland Bründlinger

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Wien, Austria

roland.bruendlinger@ait.ac.at