A grid code is a technical specification which defines the parameters a facility connected to a public
electric grid
An electrical grid is an interconnected network for electricity delivery from producers to consumers. Electrical grids vary in size and can cover whole countries or continents. It consists of:Kaplan, S. M. (2009). Smart Grid. Electrical Power ...
has to meet to ensure safe, secure and economic proper functioning of the electric system. The facility can be an
electricity generating plant, a consumer, or another network.
The grid code is specified by an authority responsible for the system integrity and network operation.
Its elaboration usually implicates network operators (distribution or transmission system operators), representatives of users and, to an extent varying between countries, the regulating body.
Contents of a grid code vary depending on the transmission company's requirements. Typically, a grid code will specify the required behavior of a connected generator during system disturbances. These include
voltage regulation,
power factor
In electrical engineering, the power factor of an AC power system is defined as the ratio of the ''real power'' absorbed by the load to the '' apparent power'' flowing in the circuit. Real power is the average of the instantaneous product of v ...
limits and
reactive power
Reactive may refer to:
*Generally, capable of having a reaction (disambiguation)
*An adjective abbreviation denoting a bowling ball coverstock made of reactive resin
*Reactivity (chemistry)
*Reactive mind
*Reactive programming
See also
*Reactanc ...
supply, response to a system fault (e.g.
short-circuit), response to frequency changes on the grid, and requirement to "
ride through" short interruptions of the connection.
There is not a common grid code in all countries and each electric grid has its own grid code. Even in
North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and th ...
, there is no grid code that applies to all territories.
Independent power producers
All generators including
Independent power producers like
photovoltaic power station
A photovoltaic power station, also known as a solar park, solar farm, or solar power plant, is a large-scale grid-connected photovoltaic power system (PV system) designed for the supply of merchant power. They are different from most building ...
s or
wind farm
A wind farm or wind park, also called a wind power station or wind power plant, is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electricity. Wind farms vary in size from a small number of turbines to several hundred wind turb ...
s
have to comply with the grid code.
Grid codes for renewable energy integration
/ref>
Categorizing
Grid code requirements can be divided into two categories: static and dynamic requirements.
See also
* Smart grid
A smart grid is an electrical grid which includes a variety of operation and energy measures including:
*Advanced metering infrastructure (of which smart meters are a generic name for any utility side device even if it is more capable e.g. a f ...
* RISSP RISSP stands for ''Record of Inter System Safety Precautions''
. It is a written record of inter-system safety precautions to be compiled
in accordance with the provisions of Operating Code no. 8 (OC8). Where a High Voltage electrical boundary occu ...
References
External links
Indian grid code
Italian grid code (for direct connections to TSO)
Italian grid code (for connections to DSOs)
UK grid codes
International Grid Code Listing
{{Electricity delivery
Electric power transmission
Regulation of technologies