2014 PV Distribution System Modeling Workshop: European codes & guidelines for the application of advanced grid support functions of inverters: Roland Bruendlinger, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

1. 123.05.2014
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

2. 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
223.05.2014 223/05/2014

3. 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
323.05.2014 323/05/2014

4. Evolution of European cumulative installed PV capacity
Source:EPIA,”IEA-PVPSTask14,TransitionfromConsumptiontoSupplyGrids,tobepublished
For comparison:
Total installed generation capacity in
EU27 2011 approx. 850 GW (eurelectric figures)

5. Net power generation capacity added in the EU28 in 2013
Source:EPIA,ESTELA,EU-OEA,EWEA,PlattsPowerVision,PVCYCLE
MW
 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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
823.05.2014 823/05/2014

9. 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
95/23/2014

10. 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)

11. Current requirements for advanced grid support by PV
Connection to MV distribution grids
115/23/2014
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)

12. 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
1223.05.2014 1223/05/2014

13. 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
135/23/2014
Source:ENTSO-E

14. 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
145/23/2014
Source:ENTSO-E

15. 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
155/23/2014 https://www.entsoe.eu/major-projects/network-code-development/requirements-for-generators/

16. 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)
165/23/2014
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

17. Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe
ENTSO-E RfG Network Code
175/23/2014

18. Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe
ENTSO-E RfG Network Code
 Overview of aspects and requirements addressed by the RfG
185/23/2014
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

19. Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe
ENTSO-E RfG Network Code
195/23/2014
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

20. Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe
ENTSO-E RfG Network Code
205/23/2014
 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)

21. Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe
ENTSO-E RfG Network Code
215/23/2014
 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

22. Framework for PV/DG interconnection in Europe
ENTSO-E RfG Network Code
225/23/2014
 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

23. 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
2323.05.2014 2323/05/2014

24. 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.
245/23/2014

25. 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
2523.05.2014

26. 2623.05.2014
Thank you very much for your attention!
Roland Bründlinger
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Wien, Austria
roland.bruendlinger@ait.ac.at