Regulations for connecting new installations

European Network Code Regulation

When at the beginning of 2019 we analysed the requirements to be met in order to connect a generation plant to the grid within the framework of the European Grid Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/631 [1]) in another post on this blog, we were not yet aware of the development of this standard to be carried out in Spain. Although the European Regulation is directly applicable to member states, it requires a national development by each member state to define the detail of some of the technical requirements. Let’s see what has happened.

In April 2019, the Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO) published a proposal for a Royal Decree [2] and a proposal for a Ministerial Order [3] adapting the European regulation. These regulatory proposals are still pending approval by the government, which is expected to happen in the coming months.

Royal Decree for the implementation of European network codes

The Royal Decree [2] defines the applicability of the grid codes and the procedure to be followed to obtain the operational notification of the facility. Specifically, it specifies that the grid codes are applicable to all new electricity generation facilities, considering as existing facilities those that have either been commissioned before 17 May 2016 or have entered into a final and binding contract for the purchase of the main generation plant before 17 May 2018.

For the determination of significance, the proposed Royal Decree [2] includes a classification of generators into the four categories indicated in Table 1, depending on their installed power and the voltage level at the connection point.

It is worth noting the lower limit indicated for category B (100 kW), which differs significantly from the limit indicated in Regulation (EU) 631/2016 [1] for continental Europe (1 MW).

Ministerial Order on technical requirements for the implementation of European network codes

The proposed Ministerial Order [3] regulates the technical requirements not fully developed in Regulation (EU) 631/2016 [1] that a generation plant must comply with in order to connect to the grid. These requirements are applicable depending on the significance of the plant, defined in the terms of the aforementioned Royal Decree.

The technical requirements developed in the Ministerial Order [3] are grouped into five groups:

• Frequency requirements: these are aimed at ensuring system frequency stability in the face of oscillations and disturbances. The generator must have power-frequency regulation capacity.
• Voltage requirements: these are aimed at maintaining the voltage within specific ranges both in normal operation and in the event of system disturbances. The generator must be able to produce or consume reactive power as required.
• Robustness requirements: these ensure the robustness of the system to disturbances. The generator shall withstand voltage dips without tripping.
• Restoration requirements: facilitate the recovery of the normal operating regime after grid disturbances. The generator shall be able to reconnect to the grid after a disturbance.
• System management requirements: require the provision of information and documentation on the generation facility necessary for proper management and operation of the system.

The following table lists the specific requirements for a renewable generation plant, as well as the types of power plants affected by them.

Grid connection procedure and Technical Standard for Supervision

When faced with the challenge of connecting a new generator to the grid, and assuming that the Royal Decree and the Ministerial Order are in force as they stand today (draft of April 2019), the first step in connecting a generation plant to the grid will be to determine the type of plant according to its significance and to understand the real implications of the requirements applicable to that plant.

The work continues by assessing and certifying compliance with the relevant grid manager. To this end, Red Eléctrica de España and the Asociación de Empresas de Energía Eléctrica have drawn up a Technical Supervision Standard [4] that establishes the procedure to be followed to certify compliance with the technical requirements defined in the grid connection codes.

In the next post we will talk in more detail about this Technical Supervision Standard and how to follow it in order to get a new generation plant connected.

References

[1] Official Journal of the European Union, Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a Network Code on requirements for grid connection of generators