Recent evolution of European grid code requirements and its impact on turbogenerator design

Abstract

Some new requirements were recently introduced in European grid codes, mainly due to the increasing share of renewable energy sources connecting to the European network. These requirements are sometimes differing from grid code to grid code and also from the international standards requirements (mainly IEC 60034-3 and IEEE C50.13 for turbogenerators). This paper gives an overview on some requirements from various European grid codes and presents the harmonisation efforts undertaken by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) via the proposal of a pilot code. Furthermore a typical generator response to the low-voltage ride-through requirement proposed by the ENTSO-E is discussed and some of the power generation equipment manufacturers comments to the proposed draft pilot code are summarized. Finally, it is reminded that the generator is not the only component influencing the electrical grid transient stability.