ENTSO-E Connection Codes Implementation Guidance Documents

Overview

Europe currently has three connection network codes: Requirements for generators (RfG), Demand Connection (DCC) and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC). RfG has entered into force on 17 May 2016, the DCC on 18 August 2016 and the HVDC on 8 September 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 and when necessary improved non-binding implementation guidance documents (IGDs), four of 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 these Regulations at national level.

The current IGD consultation is scheduled as follows:

5 April – 5 May 2017 – ENTSO-E publishes four (4) draft IGDs for consultation – one new and three consequent updates (please see the list below). The comments received will support the update of the IGDs.

Note: The IGDs Fault current contribution from PPMs & HVDC converters, Need for synthetic inertia (SI) for frequency regulation and Rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF) withstand capability have been subject to the recent consultation between 8 December 2016 – 16 January 2017 and the relevant outcomes have been published on March 8.

Small adjustments to the above-mentioned IGDs were made for reasons of alignment with the results of the new IGD on High Penetration of Power Electronic Interfaced Power Sources (HPoPEIPS)

This note aims at helping the stakeholders and participants to this consultation be more targeted to their feedback

More information can be read here.

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

The IGDs under consultation are listed below and can be downloaded from the following link.

• High Penetration of Power Electronic Interfaced Power Sources (HPoPEIPS)
• Fault current contribution from PPMs & HVDC converters
• Need for synthetic inertia (SI) for frequency regulation
• Rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF) withstand capability

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.

What happens next

After the end of the consultation period, ENTSO-E and the relevant drafting teams will consolidate the comments and consider them for the improvement of the IGDs.

Reply to the consultation will be provided shortly after the end of the consultation, together with the final versions of the IGDs.