ENTSO-E Connection Codes Implementation Guidance Documents

Overview

Europe currently has three connection network codes: Requirements of generators (RfG), Demand Connection (DCC) and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC). RfG already entered into force on 17 May with the remaining two expected to be enforced end summer 2016.

The Member States have the obligation to implement these codes no later than three years after their entry into force. Within this timeframe the Member states have 2 years to define the national specifications for the so-called non-exhaustive requirements.

In order to support the implementation at national level and also in line with the legal requirements of these network codes ENTSO-E has drafted a set of 18 non-binding implementation guidance documents which we currently put forward for consultation. These guidance documents are addressed to the transmission system operators and other system operators concerning the elements of the codes requiring national decisions. They shall explain the technical issues, conditions and interdependencies which need to be considered when complying with the requirements of this Regulation at national level.

Considering that at this stage only RfG is enforced and that the other two codes are expected to follow in August/September ENTSO-E conducts the consultation of the IGDs in two steps as presented below. As such the IGD consultation is scheduled as follows: 

• First consultation NOW:  1July–15August2016 -ENTSO-E publishes all draft IGDs for consultation from the RfG perspective only. The comments received will support the update of the IGDs which ENTSO-E shall publish no later than 17 November 2016 according to the RfG regulation. 
• 13 September - ENTSO-E public workshop on the updated IGDs based on your feedback
• Second consultation: Expected Q4/2016 -  In case the DCC and HVDC will enter into force as currently scheduled by the EC, ENTSO-E will consult again the IGDs from the DCC and HVDC perspective after their enforcement.Based on the outcomes of this second consultation ENTSO-E will further update the IGDs and will publish these updates within the 6 month deadline defined by the DCC and HVDC regulations. 

More information can be read here.

A preview of all the questions in this consultation can be accessed here.

All the IGDs are listed below and can be downloaded from the following link.

• Compliance monitoring
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Fault current contribution from PPMs & HVDC converters
• Harmonisation
• Instrumentation, simulation models and protection 
• Making non-mandatory requirements at European level mandatory in a country
• Need for synthetic inertia for frequency regulation
• Parameters of non-exhaustive requirements
• Parameters related to frequency stability
• Post fault active power recovery
• Reactive power control mode 
• Reactive power management at transmission/distribution interface
• Reactive power requirement for PPMs & HVDC converters at low / zero active power
• Real time data and communication
• Rate-of-change-of-frequency withstand capability (RoCoF)
• Selection of national parameters for RfG type classification 
• Special issues for Type A generators
• Voltage related parameters for non-exhaustive requirements

Why your views matter

ENTSO-E is consulting the IGDs for three main reasons:

1. Although the main addressees of the IGDs are the system operators, the connection codes have a significant impact on manufacturers, power generating module operators, demand facilities and distribution networks.
2. The IGDs are drafted as supporting material for the connection codes implementation at the member state level and shall aim to give guidance for national specifications for non-exhaustive requirements. 
3. The IGDs are legally requested to be consulted with stakeholders before their release within the six month of the entry into force of the Regulations.

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What happens next

Considering that at this stage only RfG is enforced and that the other two codes are expected to follow in August/September ENTSO-E conducts the consultation of the IGDs in two steps as presented below. As such the IGD consultation is scheduled as follows: 

• First consultation:  1July–15August2016 -ENTSO-E publishes all draft IGDs for consultation from the RfG perspective only. The comments received will support the update of the IGDs which ENTSO-E shall publish no later than 17 November 2016 according to the RfG regulation. 

• 13 September  - ENTSO-E public workshop on the changes implemented in the IGDs

• Second consultation: Expected Q4/2016 -  In case the DCC and HVDC will enter into force as currently scheduled by the EC, ENTSO-E will consult again the IGDs from the DCC and HVDC perspective after their enforcement.Based on the outcomes of this second consultation ENTSO-E will further update the IGDs and will publish these updates within the 6 month deadline defined by the DCC and HVDC regulations.