Technical

A set of standards that ensure safe electrical installation work relating to embedded generation activities. The standards are legally enforcable and ensure uniformity by stakeholders within the Namibian ESI.
Author: Shootecc Engineering CC

This document legally establishes technical and other requirements for the connection to and use of an electrical utility in a manner that will ensure reliable, efficient, and safe operation.

NRS097-2-3 (2023): This specification clarifies conditions under which small scale embedded generators (<1MW) may connect to distribution feeders without negative network impact, and thus not require impact studies. Application of the specification speeds up connection approvals significantly (NRS Association).

NRS097-2-1 2017 (Ed2.1 revised July 2020): This section of NRS 097 series aims to be technology neutral and focuses on the requirements at the interface between the embedded generator and the utility, although it is expected that the specification will mainly apply to photovoltaic grid connected systems interfaced through static power converter technology. Static power converters are also utilized to convert for example, wind power, micro-hydro power, pico hydro power, battery storage energy and fuel cells to grid compatible electricity.  This specification covers aspects of the Grid Code relevant to small-scale (up to 1MVA) embedded generators, including power quality and safety concerns. (NRS Association)

(SAMPLE) VDE -AR-N 4105 (2011) – Technical minimum requirements for the connection to and parallel operation with low-voltage distribution networks. German standard summarising essential aspects to be taken in to account to ensure safe and reliable network operation.

These are the set of rules which define conditions for accessing the electricity grid.

Grid codes provide the rules for the power system and energy market operation, ensuring operational stability, security of supply and well-functioning wholesale markets. A set of grid codes can include, for instance, connection codes, operating codes, planning codes, market codes. This report provides guidance to regulators, policy makers, system operators and other stakeholders on how grid connection codes should be developed and implemented. It considers the country context with a view to enabling a higher share of VRE in the power system (IRENA).

(Powerpoint) Provides an overview of the IEEE 1547-2018 Standard.

This standard:

Specifies functional requirements for all Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) connected to typical primary or secondary distribution voltage levels.  It applies regardless of type and size—synchronous, induction, and inverter-based resources of any size.

Gives precedence to synchronous generator design standards for DERs with synchronous generator units rated 10 MVA and greater.

Does not apply to resources directly connected to the bulk power system.

(Note: Superseded by 2018 version) This standard focuses on the technical specifications for, and testing of, the interconnection itself.  It provides requirements relevant to the performance, operation, testing, safety considerations, and maintenance of the interconnection. It includes general requirements, response to abnormal conditions, power quality, islanding, and test specifications and requirements for design, production, installation evaluation, commissioning, and periodic tests. The stated requirements are universally needed for interconnection of distributed resources (DR), including synchronous machines, induction machines, or power inverters/converters and will be sufficient for most installations. The criteria and requirements are applicable to all DR technologies, with aggregate capacity of 10 MVA or less at the point of common coupling, interconnected to electric power systems at typical primary and/or secondary distribution voltages (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

Recommendations for the Connection of Type Tested Small-scale Embedded Generators (Up to 16A per Phase) in Parallel with Low-Voltage Distribution Systems.

The purpose of this Engineering Recommendation is to simplify and standardise the technical requirements for connection of Small Scale Embedded Generators (SSEGs) for operation in parallel with a public low-voltage Distribution System, by addressing all technical aspects of the connection process from standards of functionality to site commissioning (Energy Networks Association).

This Regulation (EU 2016/631) establishes a network code which lays down the requirements for grid connection of power-generating facilities of any size, namely synchronous power-generating modules, power park modules and offshore power park modules, to the interconnected system. It, therefore, helps to ensure fair conditions of competition in the internal electricity market, to ensure system security and the integration of renewable electricity sources, and to facilitate Union-wide trade in electricity. (European Commission)

(SAMPLE) This European Standard specifies technical requirements for the protection functions and the operational capabilities of micro-generating plants, designed for operation in parallel with public low voltage distribution networks.

It applies irrespectively of the micro-generating plants’ primary source of energy, where micro-generation refers to equipment with nominal currents up to and including 16 A per phase, single or multi phase 230/400 V or multi phase 230 V (phase-to-phase nominal voltage).

In New Zealand, the recent rapid uptake of distributed generation, in particular for photovoltaics, and the diversity of distribution companies’ guidelines, along with the vision of a future common framework for New Zealand has inspired the review of all international standards and a cross comparison with local guide lines has been performed. The purpose of this analysis is to build a picture of these standards and give a brief insight into the current stance the national distribution companies have via their policies.

Electric Power Engineering Centre (EPECentre) New Zealand

This paper addresses the need to define all important aspects of self-consumption with the focus on commercial issues and avoidance of cross-subsidization among consumer’s groups.  A primary goal of this paper is to recognize all important aspects that need to be regulated to make prosumers concept fully effective in practice. Where possible it provides recommendations that can be used as a good practice for policy makers in the European Union Energy Community countries (ECDSO-E Working Group, EU).

This brief presents key technical, interconnection and regulatory measures that should be considered to enable a smooth integration of renewable-based DG with high modularity and widespread installation in the distribution grid, such as PV and wind power plants.
Authors:
Leonard Hülsmann, Thomas Ackermann and Jan-David Schmidt

How Energy Ministers can support cheaper, faster decarbonisation via distributed energy resources. Based on the Australian experience, recommendations are provided for unlocking distributed energy resources, including describing the necessary technical and regulatory frameworks (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis).

A guide for integrating grid-connected DG onto distribution networks, covering technical, regulatory, policy, financial and economic aspects thereof, and pointing to areas where support may be useful. Draws on international and African experience, and is relevant to utilities as well as technical assistance providers (GIZ as part of the GET.Transform Programme)

This informative report covers the technical and other considerations that Utilities and Regulators should consider in establishing a PV DG permitting process, drawing on a significant amount of DG experience around the world.