Moderne Stromleitungen und Erneuerbare-Energien-Konzept mit Photovoltaik-Paneelen und Windkraftanlagen
adrian_ilie825 / stock.adobe.com
2022-10-21 page

Grid conformity testing and certification for renewable energy power plants

Compliance with connection conditions for grid feed-in is a critical requirement to ensure the stability and performance of electricity grids. Manufacturers, plant operators and system operators need to comply with the latest grid access regulations or grid codes.

We can support you in validating the conformity of your power generation units and power generation plants.

Contact
Sabine Behrmann

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of power generation plants (PGP) based on renewable energy sources. In addition to photovoltaics and wind power, these also include biomass or biogas-fired combined heat and power plants (CHP) or hydroelectric power plants. Industry experts predict that the share of renewable energies in the overall energy balance will continue to increase in the coming years.

This increasing growth presents new challenges for the energy industry. In order to guarantee the stability and security of the energy supply, many European countries have defined corresponding grid access regulations. These stipulate a minimum of electrical properties and must be complied with by future energy producers.

As your dynamic, independent and competent partner, VDE Renewables validates the grid conformity of your power generation unit (PGU) or your PGP according to the respective grid access regulations or grid codes. We work with the VDE Institute, which conducts the testing and certification.


Our tests and certifications

  • Unit certificates
  • Plant certificates
  • Individual verification procedure
  • Verification of electrical planning
  • Component certificates
  • Prototype declaration
  • Declarations of conformity
  • Type tests on components, generation units or systems (e.g. according to FGW TR 3, VDE 0124-100)
  • Validation of simulation models (e.g. according to FGW TR 4)
  • Stand-alone network identification
  • Country specific requirements for grid integration / grid code


Contact us to find out how we can support your grid conformity requirements.

Current Information

1. Specification of the requirement for quasi-stationary operation

According to chapter 10.2.1.2 of VDE-AR-N 4110, active power reduction is only permissible for the purpose of reactive power provision (so-called reactive power prioritisation) and not in general. I.e. within the voltage band from 90% Uc to 110% Uc, the DCA may not reduce active power and reactive power feed-in, e.g. for reasons of possible overload. Reduction of active power feed-in is only permitted for reasons of reactive power provision. This can lead to a permanent reduction in active power, especially for DCSs that contain type 2 DC units and storage tanks and are equipped without automatic tap changers on the machine transformer. This must be taken into account when considering the economic efficiency of the DC unit.


In the past, this was not clearly defined in the certification guideline FGW TR8. DCs registered after 01.07.2022 will now be checked for this criterion in accordance with the amendment to the FGW TR8.  


For further information see the article HERE (Links to VDE German Website)
(FAQ, 10.2.1.2 Quasi-stationary operation)


2. Plant certificate (B) subject to conditions

When the amendment to the NELEV (Electrotechnical Properties Verification Ordinance) came into force on 30.07.2022, an "installation certificate (B) subject to conditions" was introduced. The "plant certificate (B) subject to conditions" will represent an effective acceleration of commissioning compared to the standard procedure defined in VDE-AR-N 4110. As far as possible, the regular procedure for the plant certificate B according to VDE-AR-N 4110 chapter 11.4.24 is recommended. 


If this is foreseeably not possible by the time of the planned commissioning, the new procedure "system certificate (B) under conditions" can be used. In this case, all test points/verifications missing at the time of issuing the "system certificate (B) subject to conditions" must be listed under the conditions in accordance with section 11.4.24 of VDE-AR-N 4110 and corresponding information on the missing points must be provided. At the latest for the declaration of conformity, at the latest 18 months after commissioning, all conditions must be demonstrably fulfilled. If this is not possible after this 18-month period, the grid operator must disconnect the DC from the grid in accordance with the NELEV.


We will apply this procedure in consultation with our customers with immediate effect.


Further information, in particular on the documents to be submitted to the certification body accredited according to DIN 17065, can be found HERE (Links to German PDF).