What is happening in Europe with the grid connection standards? 🧐

📑 The (EU) 2016/631 European regulation has unified the grid connection requirements at European level, establishing the minimum requirements of compliance. Because of that each country has updated its own standards based on that regulation and, in some cases, including additional requirements.

In this article we explain the most requested particular requirements by manufacturers in each European country👇

GENERAL GUIDELINES

What’s going on in Europe?

Is there a European standard for grid connection? 🧐

The answer is yes! Europe has its own grid connection standard for those countries that have not adapted their own regulation: the standard EN 50549 🌍

The standard EN 50549-1 provide technical requirements for the connection of generating plants up to and including Type A (-1-1)/ Type B (-1-2) which can be operated in parallel with a public LV distribution network. They are intended to be used as a technical reference for connection agreements between DNOs and electricity producers.

The standard EN 50549-2 provides technical requirements for the connection of generating plants up to and including Type B which can be operated in parallel with a public MV distribution network. They are intended to be used as a technical reference for connection agreements between DSOs and electricity producers.

Standard references for general guidelines:

• IEC 61727:2004, Photovoltaic (PV) systems – Characteristics of the utility interface
• IEC 62116:2014, Utility-interconnected photovoltaic inverters – Test procedure of islanding prevention measures.
• UNE-EN 50438:2014, requisitos para la conexión de microgeneradores en paralelo con redes generales de distribución de baja tensión.

SPAIN

What’s going on in Spain? 🧐

Since 2019, Spain is a target country for the global renewable market. During last years, Spain has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking NTS 631 is the only requirement, there are four different requirements in terms of type of installation and grid connection point.

🔸 In terms of installation, in case of Zero injection requirements are RD244.2019 and UNE 217001.2020

🔸 For distribution system connection the requirements are included in the UNE 217002.2020

🔸 For any installation connected to grid in the continental area the requirement is the NTS 631 V2.1 SEPE, review 09/07/2021 with corrigendum 08/10/2021

🔸 And finally, for installations connected to the non-continental grid in Spain, the requirement is the NTS 631 V1.1 SENP, review 09/07/2021 with corrigendum 08/10/2021

Spanish TSO has published the draft to include the requirements for storage systems but at this right moment it’s still a draft.

Standard references for Spain:

• O. 12.3.: Requisitos de respuesta frente a huecos de tensión de las instalaciones eólicas conforme a Proceso particular de verificación según PVVC Ver. 10 “Procedimiento de verificación, validación y certificación de los requisitos del PO 12.3 sobre la respuesta de las instalaciones eólicas y fotovoltaicas ante huecos de tensión“
• Real Decreto 244/2019: de 5 de abril, por el que se regulan las condiciones administrativas, técnicas y económicas del autoconsumo de energía eléctrica.
• UNE 217001:2020: Ensayos para sistemas que eviten el vertido de energía a la red de distribución.
• UNE 206007-1:2013: Requisitos de conexión a la red eléctrica. parte 1: inversores para conexión a la red de distribución.
• UNE 206007-2 IN: Requisitos de conexión a la red eléctrica. Parte 2: Requisitos relativos a la seguridad del sistema para instalaciones constituidas por inversores.
• UNE 217002:2020: Inversores para conexión a la red de distribución. ensayos de los requisitos de inyección de corriente continua a la red, generación de sobretensiones y sistema de detección de funcionamiento en isla.

GERMANY

What’s going on in Germany? What are the main requirements for Generation Units to connect to the German Grid? 🧐

Depending on which connection point we are going to use, there are different German standards for grid connection: VDE 4105 for low voltage, VDE 4110 for medium voltage, VDE 4120 for high voltage and VDE 4130 for very high voltage.

There are also specific procedures for testing, simulating and certifying, which are TR3, TR4 and TR8.

Standard references for Germany:

• BDEW Guideline 2008 (Adap 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013)
• VDE-AR-N-4105: 2018: Generators connected to the low-voltage distribution network – Technical requirements for the connection to and parallel operation with low-voltage distribution networks
• VDE-AR-N 4110: 2018-11: Technical requirements for the connection and operation. Of customer installations to the medium voltage network (TAR medium voltage)
• VDE-AR-N4120:2018: Technical requirements for the connection and operation of customer installations to the high voltage network (TCR high voltage)
• VDE-AR-N 4130: 2018: Technical requirements for the connection and operation. Of customer installations to the extra high voltage network (TCR extra high voltage)
• DIN V VDE V 0126-1-1: Automatic disconnection device between a generator and the public low-voltage grid.
• Technical Guidelines for Power Generating Units and Systems PART 3 (TG 3): Determination of the Electrical Characteristics of Power Generating Units and Systems in Medium-, High- and Extra-High Voltage Grids; Revision 26; Dated 05/04/2022
• Technical Guidelines for Power Generating Units and Systems PART 4 (TG 4): Demands on Modelling and Validating Simulation Models of the Electrical Characteristics of Power Generating Units and Systems; Revision 10; Dated 05/04/2022
• Technical Guidelines for Power Generating Units, Systems and Storage Systems as well as for their Components PART 8 (TG 8): Certification of the Electrical Characteristics of Power Generating Units, Systems and Storage Systems as well as their Components on the Grid; Revision 09; Dated 01/02/2019

UNITED KINGDOM

What’s going on in UK? 🧐

UK is still a target country for the global renewable market. During last years, UK has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code since the European regulation 2016/631 was published, and consequently Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the G99 Issue 1 – Amendment 6, 2nd March 2020 and the G99 Issue 1 – Amendment 7, 1st August 2021, are the latest version of the standard, the Amendment 8 was published in September 2021:

🔸 Engineering Recommendation G99 Issue 1 – Amendment 8, 1st September 2021, “Requirements for the connection of generation equipment in parallel with public distribution networks on or after 27 April 2019”.

It adapts the requirements to the publication from 2021 of Amendment 7 with some modifications over the previous amendment.

Also, the Requirements for the connection of Fully Type Tested Micro-generators (up to and including 16 A per phase) in parallel with public Low Voltage Distribution Networks on or after 27 April 2019 were updated in September 2021 in:

🔸 G98 Issue 1 – Amendment 6 September 2021

FRANCE

What’s going on in France? 🧐

Once again, France has become a target country for the global renewable market. During last years, France has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the Arrêté du 23 avril 2008 is still valid, the latest version of the standard was published in June 2020: “Arrêté du 9 juin 2020 relatif aux prescriptions techniques de conception et de fonctionnement pour le raccordement aux réseaux d’électricité. 4 août 2020” adapting the requirements to the publication from 2008 of version Arrêté du 23 avril 2008 with some of the following changes:

🔸 LVRT. Voltage depth is higher and reactive current injection is required in the new standard.

🔸 Operation field. Some parameters change from the previous version.

🔸 Reconnection. Some parameters change from the previous version

ITALY

What’s going on in Italy? 🧐

Since a few years ago, Italy has become one of the European leaders in renewable energy integration, and consequently, a target country for the global renewable market. During the present year, Italy has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

The Italian Grid code updated in March 2022 is compound by two standards:

🔸 CEI 016:2022-03 Reference technical rules for the connection of active and passive consumers to the HV and MV electrical networks of distribution Company” and

🔸 CEI 021:2022-03 Reference technical rules for the connection of active users and liabilities to the LV networks of electricity distribution companies

Both Standards consider the possibility for testing and certificate single way inverters or bidirectional inverters.

In Italy it’s also requested for PV power plants connected to the HV additional compliance with Allegato A.68: General conditions for HV connection; protection, control and regulation system, updated in May 2022.

PORTUGAL

What’s going on in Portugal? 🧐

Once again, Portugal has become a target country for the global renewable market. During last years, Portugal has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 is still valid, the latest version of the standard was published in March 2020:

🔸 “Portaria nº73/2020 de 16 de marco. Requisitos nao exaustivos para ligacao dos módulos geradores a Rede Eletrica de Servico Publico (RESP)” adapting the specific requirements to the publication from 2016 of COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators.”

AUSTRIA

What’s going on in Austria? 🧐

Once again, Austria has become a target country for the global renewable market. During last years, Austria has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

The Austrian grid code is a common requirement of our clients as part of the European solution provided by CERE. But Clients doesn’t know which is the right standard to comply with in the country. The latest version of the standard was published in April 2022: “TOR Erzeuger: Anschluss und Parallelbetrieb von Stromerzeugungsanlagen des Typs A, B, C & D. Version 1.2” adapting the requirements to the publication also from 2019 of version V1.0

BELGIUM

What’s going on in Belgium? 🧐

Our clients are including Belgium as one of the target countries on their certification processes. Belgium has become a target country for the global renewable market, and during last years, Belgium has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the 2.1 of September 2019, is the actual requirement, the latest version of the standard was published in March 2021: “Amendment C10/11 ed.2.2 of 15 March 2021: Technical prescription C10/11 of Synergrid, edition 2.2. Specific technical prescription regarding power generating plants operating in parallel to the distribution network.” adapting the requirements to the publication from September 2019 of version 2.1 to the 631 European requirement published in 2016: “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators”.

ROMANIA

What’s going on in Romania? 🧐

Romania is target country for the global renewable market. Although is still an small market compared with other European countries, it’s on its way to become a greener country in the next decade, exceeding the target of 30.7% for renewable energy by 2030.

During last years, Romania has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 is still valid to access Romanian grid code, the latest version of the standard was published in December 2018: “ORDIN 208: Technical norm on technical connection requirements for electrical networks of public interest for generating modules, central modules consisting of generators and plants consisting of offshore generating modules (located in the wider)” adapting the specific requirements to the publication from 2016 of COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators.”

NORTH IRELAND

What’s going on in North Ireland? 🧐

North Ireland has a different grid code than United Kingdom. Accessing the total area of United Kingdom involves for manufacturers a process covering the requirements for Great Britain together with North Ireland. For this reason, North Ireland has become a target country for the global renewable market and has also adapted their requirements to the European regulation 631.

The actual grid code is a deviation from the ENA-EREC G99 called:

🔸 Engineering Recommendation G99/NI: Issue 1 April 2019; Requirements for the connection of generation equipment in parallel with public distribution networks in Northern Ireland on or after 27 April 2019, with a revision scheduled on Q2-2024

The Standard itself is a deviation of the G99 with a parametrization according to the requirements of the grid operator in North Ireland.

There’s also a version for the G98 adapted to North Ireland:

🔸 Engineering Recommendation G98/NI Issue 1 April 2019 Requirements for the connection of Fully Type Tested Micro-generators (up to and including 16A per phase) in parallel with public Low Voltage Distribution Networks in Northern Ireland on or after 27 April 2019, with a revision scheduled on Q2-2024

IRELAND

What’s going on in Ireland? 🧐

Ireland is becoming an interesting country for the global renewable market. During last years, Ireland has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients are asking us about the latest requirements.

Since December 2017, EirGrid and ESB Networks are working on the generation of the technical requirements in accordance with the articles 13-28 of the commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 stablishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators: 20th Dec, 2017. Actually, the latest version of the standard was published in May 2021: “EirGrid Grid Code Version 10” adapting the requirements to the publication from 2020 of version 9 with some of the following changes:

🔸 Correction of RfG Derogation Process Form References

🔸 Correction of Voltage Graphs110kV 220kV Systems Transmission

🔸 Meteorological Signal Requirements

And now a days, it has to be considered also the:

🔸 Battery ESPS Grid Code Implementation Note; Version 3.0 – December 2021

POLAND

What’s going on in Poland? 🧐

During the last months, Poland has become a target country for the global renewable market. During last years, Poland has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 is still valid, the latest version of the standard was published in December 2020:

🔸 “DRE.WOSE.7128.550.2.2018.ZJ:  Wnioskiem”, o zmian ę decyzji z dnia 9 listopada 2018 r. dotycz ącej zatwierdzenia wymogów ogólnego stosowania dla przyłączania jednostek wytwórczych do sieci zgodnie z art. 7 ust. 4 rozporządzenia Komisji (UE) 2016/631 z dnia 14”

adapting the specific requirements to the publication from 2016 of the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators.”

This regulation is being also requested for power plant controllers by the polish local authorities, as a requirement for the whole power plant validation.

CZECH REPUBLIC

What’s going on in Czech Republic? 🧐

Once again, Czech Republic has become a target country for the global renewable market. During last years, Czech Republic has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the Priloha-4- May 2016 is still valid, the latest version of the standard was published in December 2020:

🔸 “Priloha-4-Dec 2020: rules for the parallel operation of production plants and storage facilities with the grid of the distribution system operator” adapting the requirements to the publication from 2016 of Priloha-4- May 2016 of the “rules for the parallel operation of resources with the distribution system operator’s network”

GREECE

What’s going on in Greece? 🧐

Due to the Geography of this Mediterranean country, Renewable Energy has a primary role on the Greece regulation

Greece has become a target country for the global renewable market more than 10 years ago with a breach between Wind and solar Energy that has been reduced within the last five years, having very similar installed power of both technologies at the end of 2021.

Adapting their regulation to the European, COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators”, Greece has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code:

🔸 Network Code “Requirements for Generators” (RfG); A Public Consultation Document for the integration of the Regulation (EU) 631/2016 in the Hellenic Grid Code; from INDEPENDENT POWER TRANSMISSION OPERATOR. July 2019

🔸 ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙ∆Α ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ; ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ∆ΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ

ΑΠΟΦΑΣΕΙΣ Αριθμ. απόφ. 1165/2020 (Regulation number 1165/2020 from September 7th, 2020)

SWEDEN

What’s going on in Sweden? 🧐

The market keeps asking CERE about the requirements for the northern Europe. Although the weather conditions in these countries, the European policy is helping the evolution of this markets for the Renewable Energies. During last years, Sweden has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016” together with the “EN 50549-1 & -2; Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks” are still valid, the document “Energimarknadsinspektionens författningssamling”, published in February 2018 defines the particular deviations and parametrization for this country and the connection to its grid, defining specific regulation for power plants divided in 4 types, depending on the power and voltage in the grid connection point.

FINLAND

What’s going on in Finland? 🧐

The market keeps asking CERE about the requirements for the northern Europe. Although the weather conditions in these countries, the European policy is helping the evolution of this markets for the Renewable Energies. During last years, Finland has been involved in the upgrade of its grid code and Clients keep asking us about the latest requirements.

Although manufacturers keep thinking the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016” together with the “EN 50549-1 & -2; Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks” together with “Grid Code Specifications for Power Generating Facilities”, published in November 2018 are still valid, FINGRID has published in February 2020 the “Grid Code Specifications for Grid Energy Storage Systems”, in which are defined the particular deviations and parametrization for this country and the connection to its grid, together with the “Power quality in Fingrid’s 110 kV grid” which was published back in 2015 to control the grid quality of the new power plants.

The Grid Code Specifications for Grid Energy Storage Systems defines the specific regulation for power plants divided in 4 types as indicated in the (EU) 2016/631, depending on the power and voltage in the grid connection point.

NETHERLANDS

What’s going on in Netherlands? 🧐

Due to the proximity to the German Grid, the market keeps asking CERE if requirements for Netherlands are the same VDE requirements for Germany and the connection to its grid. Netherlands nowadays is a common requirement for inverter manufacturers, who ask to comply the local requirements, testing and certifying them with the other central Europe country requirements.

Based on the European regulation “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016” and with many similarities with the “EN 50549-1 & -2; Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks”, Netbeheer Nederland has published in July 2020 the update of “Power-Generating Modules compliance verification: Power-Generating Modules type B, C and D according to NC RfG and Netcode elektriciteit version: 1.2.1”, in which are defined the particular deviations and parametrization for this country and the connection to its grid, with references to the German testing protocol FGW TG3-2018 Rv. 25.

SLOVENIA

What’s going on in Slovenia? 🧐

Slovenia, due to its location, connecting Austria and Italy with the Adriatic countries, has been pushing to integrate renewable energies, particularly Solar and Wind, which were almost null at the end of 2019 into the generation mix on the country, with the intention to achieve their 27% target by 2030.

The country has to published documents, one for the transmission system: “ESLOVENIA_2011-01-1982; SYSTEM OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS For the electricity transmission system of the Republic of Slovenia”, and the other for the Distribution system: “ESLOVENIA_2016-01-1194; SYSTEM OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS For the distribution network of electricity”, adapting the specific requirements to the publication from 2016 of COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators.”

DENMARK

What’s going on in Denmark? 🧐

Denmark has been pushing to integrate renewable energies, and Storage into the generation mix on the country, since the update of the European regulation in 2016.

The country has to published the document,” TECHNICALREGULATION 3.3.1 FOR ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES”, effective from 18 December 2019; adapting the specific requirements to the publication from 2016 of COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators.”

BOSNIA

What’s going on in Bosnia? 🧐

Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the middle of the Adriatic countries, is a key country for the interconnection of the area. Law on Transmission of Electric Power, Regulator and System Operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been pushing to integrate renewable energies into the generation mix on the country, with the intention to increase the presence of solar (3% in 2021) and wind (7% in 2021), which are almost null together with the actual Hydro (90% in 2021).

The country has to published in 2019 a grid code “Mrezni-Kodeks-2019”, adapting the specific requirements to the publication from 2016 of COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of the “COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators.”