Type A Power Generating Module
Pursuant to the Network Code on requirements for grid connection of generators (NC RfG), type A category of Power Generating Module has Connection Point below 110 kV and its maximum capacity of 0.8 kW or more. Only essential requirements are included for type A, limited to those aspects with potential system wide implications.
Recitals 9 - 11 of the Network Code on requirements for grid connection of generators (NC RfG)
(9) The significance of power generating modules should be based on their size and their effect on the overall system. Synchronous machines should be classed on the machine size and include all the components of a generating facility that normally run indivisibly, such as separate alternators driven by the separate gas and steam turbines of a single combined cycle gas turbine installation. For a facility including several such combined cycle gas turbine installations, each should be assessed on its size, and not on the whole capacity of the facility. Asynchronous machines, where they are collected together to form an economic unit and where they have a single connection point should be assessed on their aggregated capacity.
(10) In view of the different voltage level at which generators are connected and their maximum generating capacity, this Regulation should make a distinction between different types of generators by establishing different levels of requirements. This Regulation does not set the rules to determine the voltage level of the connection point to which the power generating module shall be connected.
(11) The requirements applicable to type A power generating modules should be set at the basic level necessary to ensure capabilities of generation with limited automated response and minimal system operator control. They should ensure that there is no large-scale loss of generation over system operational ranges, thereby minimising critical events, and include requirements necessary for widespread intervention during system-critical events.
Requirements for type A Power Generating Modules
The requirements applicable to type A Power Generating Modules are envisioned to be set at the basic level necessary to ensure capabilities of generation with limited automated response and minimal system operator control. They are designed to ensure that there is no large-scale loss of generation over system operational ranges, thereby minimising critical events, and include requirements necessary for widespread intervention during system-critical events (Recital 11 of the NC RfG).
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Type B Power Generating Modules
Type C Power Generating Modules
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ENTSO-E document: "Special issues associated with type 'A' generators, ENTSO-E guidance document for national implementation for network codes on grid connection, Draft for consultation 1 July - 15 August 2016, 30 June 2016" contains the following characteristics of type A generators in the context of European electricity systems (p. 2):
"The categorisation of type A generators is set at the European level as generators above 800W up to a maximum level of from which a Power Generating Module (PGM) is of type B (where a type A generator becomes a type B generator) varies from one synchronous network to another. The limit for maximum capacity threshold where this occurs in the requirement for generators network code is reflective of the collective impact that type A generation may have on a synchronous network. Accordingly, the 100kW limit for maximum capacity threshold for Ireland as the smallest synchronous network rises to 1MW for Continental Europe. These limits for maximum capacity thresholds largely relate to the percentage of the generation portfolio that might be type A. Higher percentage Type A with the maximum limit in a country, tends to justify choosing a lower boundary between A and B to ensure the further capabilities associated with Type B are available in sufficient volume under all operating conditions.
Type A due to their size and application operating from the domestic level require special consideration in their application. Typically a large number of these generating units are expected to be mass produced and installed predominantly as a standard package with little or no electrical performance related site specific activity.
Given the potential scale of the domestic generation industry and the limited impact of individual generating units of this scale on a network, a rigorous on-site installation compliance process and test is not appropriate.
However together the potential of these units to contribute to security of supply cannot be overlooked, as they increasingly become a sizable percentage of power generation.
Simple equipment certification as a proof of compliance is permitted and is seen to be adequate when combined with simple user site specific data to meet compliance requirements. Site specific data in this context is very simple for example, name of applicant, address, basic generator type (Photovoltaic (PV), wind, etc), installation date, etc."
The said document farther elaborates that type A generators are expected to be mass produced and have a simple installation process with limited notice and minimal compliance requirements.
Simple equipment certification as a proof of compliance refers to an 'authorised certifier' meaning an entity that issues equipment certificates and Power Generating Module documents and whose accreditation is given by the national affiliate of the European cooperation for Accreditation ('EA'), established in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008.
As observed by the ACER Policy Paper of 26 September 2022 (on the revision of the network code on requirements for grid connection of generators and the network code on demand connection): “The technical capabilities of power-generating modules have a massive impact on system security. All connected equipment must be sufficiently robust to withstand disturbances and help prevent major interruptions or support the reconstruction of the grid af ter a collapse. The EU Member States set different classifications for the threshold values. This results in a range for the threshold between type A and type B, which amounts to between 0.011 MW and 1.5 MW. In view of this wide range, the question arises as to whether the requirements applicable to type B (as per Articles 14, 17 and 20 of NC RfG) should also be specified for type A”.
As regards the requirements for type A PGMs the said ACER Policy Paper of 26 September 2022 takes the following note:
"Since there is a wide range of thresholds between type A and B PGMs throughout Europe, harmonising the thresholds could help, e.g. manufacturers, who want to sell their products through the EU, gain an easier access to the common market. However, due account needs to be taken of the fact that the setting of the thresholds was the explicit wish of Member States during the comitology process for the adoption of the GC NCs.
A review of the requirements for type A PGMs is in any case required. In this regard, it is necessary to determine which requirements applicable to type B PGMs may also be necessary for type A PGMs in terms of system security. The following candidate requirements were identified by the Expert Group “Baseline f or Type A PGMs”:
a) Fault Ride Through (FRT),
b) Post Fault Active Power Recovery (PFAPR), and
c) Active Power Control (APC).
An additional candidate requirement could be the Limited Frequency Sensitive Mode – Underfrequency (LFSM-U). As the relevant European standard recommends LFSM-U capability for smaller PGMs, its potential inclusion in the NC RfG might be considered accordingly.
However, it should be noted that not all these requirements can be met by each and every technology and/or are likely costly to implement".
Article 3 of the Network Code on requirements for grid connection of generators (NC RfG)
Scope of application
1. The connection requirements set out in this Regulation shall apply to new power generating modules which are considered significant in accordance with Article 5, unless otherwise provided.
The relevant system operator shall refuse to allow the connection of a power generating module which does not comply with the requirements set out in this Regulation and which is not covered by a derogation granted by the regulatory authority pursuant to Article 60. The relevant system operator shall communicate such refusal, by means of a reasoned statement in writing, to the power generating facility owner and, unless specified otherwise by the regulatory authority, to the regulatory authority.
2. This Regulation shall not apply to:
(a) power generating modules connected to the transmission system and distribution systems or to parts of the transmission system, or distribution systems, of a Member State of which the systems not operated synchronously with either the Continental Europe, Great Britain, Nordic, Ireland and Northern Ireland or Baltic synchronous area;
(b) power generating modules that were installed to provide back-up power and operate in parallel with the system for less than five minutes per calendar month while the system is in normal system state. Parallel operation during maintenance or commissioning tests of that power generating module shall not count towards the five minute limit;
(c) power generating modules that do not have a permanent connection point and are used by the system operators to temporarily provide power when normal system capacity is partly or completely unavailable;
(d) storage devices except for pump-storage power generating modules in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 6.
Article 5 of the Network Code on requirements for grid connection of generators (NC RfG)
Determination of significance
1. The power generating modules shall comply with the requirements on the basis of the voltage level of their connection point and their maximum capacity according to the categories set out in paragraph 2.
2. Power generating modules within the following categories shall be considered as significant:
(a) connection point below 110 kV and maximum capacity of 0.8 kW or more (type A);
(b) connection point below 110 kV and maximum capacity at or above a threshold proposed by each relevant TSO in accordance with the procedure laid out in paragraph 3 (type B). This threshold shall not be above the limits for type B power generating modules contained in Table 1;
(c) connection point below 110 kV and maximum capacity at or above a threshold specified by each relevant TSO in accordance with paragraph 3 (type C). This threshold shall not be above the limits for type C power generating modules contained in Table 1; or
(d) connection point at 110 kV or above (type D). A power generating module is also of type D if its connection point is below 110 kV and its maximum capacity is at or above a threshold specified in accordance with paragraph 3. This threshold shall not be above the limit for type D power generating modules contained in Table 1.
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Synchronous Area |
Limit for maximum capacity threshold from which on a Power generating module is of type B |
Limit for maximum capacity threshold from which on a power generating module is of type C |
Limit for maximum capacity threshold from which on a power generating module is of type D |
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Continental Europe |
1 MW |
50 MW |
75 MW |
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Great Britain |
1 MW |
10 MW |
30 MW |
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Nordic |
1.5 MW |
10 MW |
30 MW |
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Ireland and Northern Ireland |
0.1 MW |
5 MW |
10 MW |
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Baltic |
0.5 MW |
10 MW |
15 MW |
Table 1: Limits for thresholds for type B, C and D power generating modules
3. Proposals for maximum capacity thresholds for types B, C and D power generating modules shall be subject to approval by the competent regulatory authority. In forming proposals the relevant TSO shall coordinate with adjacent TSOs and DSOs and shall conduct a public consultation in accordance with Article 10. A proposal by the relevant TSO to change the thresholds shall not be made sooner than three years after the previous proposal.
4. Power generating facility owners shall assist this process and provide data as requested by the relevant TSO.
5. If, as a result of modification of the thresholds, a power generating module qualifies under a different type, the procedure laid down in paragraph 3 of Article 4 concerning existing power generating modules shall apply before compliance with the requirements for the new type is required.
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