Confirmed Action Notes of the DG Technical Forum meeting April 09 2014 Held at ENA commencing 10:30 Attendees: Name Company Martin Lee ML Scottish & Southern Energy David Spillett DS Energy Networks Association Trung Tran TT Scottish & Southern Energy Bob Weaver BW REA Lee Mason LM DNO Consulting Chris Smith CS RWE Chris Marsland CM AMPS Ben Cosh BC Solar Trade Association Ian Povey IP Electricity North West David van Kesteren DvK Northern Powergrid James Hoare JH BRE National Solar Centre Paul Black PB Scottish Power Andy Hood JM Western Power Distribution Apologies: Nick Yenkyn Kevin Burt David Clare John Moore West Coast Energy UK Power Networks VBC Associates Windcrop/RED 1. Welcome to EIC and housekeeping ML welcomed members to this meeting of the DG Technical Forum. DS explained housekeeping/emergency arrangements. Each member introduced themselves to the group. Housekeeping/emergency arrangements were provided. Apologies were noted. Tim Russell s Retirement. DS informed the members that as a consequence of Tim s retirement there was now a need to appoint a new co-chair representing the DG members. In addition TR also represented the REA. BW informed the members of the new appointment. JH will become the new co-chair with BW taking up the role of technical secretary on behalf of the DG representatives. In addition BW will also representative the REA On behalf of both the ENA and the Technical Forum DS thanked Tim for all his hard work commitment and dedication in helping establish the Technical Forum and wished him well in his retirement. 2. Time keeping within meeting ML reminded members of the importance of trying to keep to a reasonable time for discussion of individual item; however it was important to also afford enough time for debate and resolution. 3. Agree minutes from previous meeting held on 02 December 2013 The members agreed that the notes of the previous meeting were accurate. They asked that these be added to the ENA DG Technical Forum website. 1
BW also requested that the issue associated with ICP and ENA switchgear approval be reinstated as an ongoing issue for the Technical Forum to consider. It was agreed that this issue will be picked up at the next meeting in July. Action: DS 4. Report back on actions from previous meeting held on 02 December 2013. 4.1 G59 Connection of VTs and what side of a Circuit Breaker should they be connected too. DNOs responded as follows. WPD not on the customer side ENW no specific policy SP - not on the customer side NPG on the customer side but DvK will confirm Action: DvK SSE - not on the customer side UKPN - present policy documents show VTs connected to the outgoing side of the CB connecting to the customer s cable connection to their switchboard. The rationale for this is so as not to have a VT on the main feeder as this is a potential source of failure. Lee Mason agreed to circulate a copy of the diagram that shows the layout to the DNOs and this issue will be discussed at the next meeting. Action: LM 4.2 Voltage control / Voltage rise issues including the use of different voltage control strategies at the generator level (fixed power factor, fixed voltage target, variable voltage target etc). ML provided the members with an update on the proposed Voltage Control workshop to be hosted by SEE. The workshop is scheduled to be held on 8 May in Glasgow. All DNOs are to be invited. Following a request from BW two representatives from the DG members will also be invited to attend. Action: ML PB requested that the DG community confirm that voltage control and the use of different voltage control strategies at the generator level is what the DG community require as although there are positive outcomes the use of such arrangements also may have some negative financial (eg FITs,reactive power charges) consequences for customers. BW confirmed he would follow up the request. Action: BW 4.3 Where the DNOs allow their circuit breaker to protect a customer installation up to a limit of a set distance from their circuit breaker they would give the reasoning behind setting that particular distance. The DNOs were asked to clarify. The DNOs responded as follows WPD Similar to UKPN. Metering breaker provides basic protection ENW - No specific limit in policy regarding length. To review policy and feedback regarding G59 protection at next meeting Action: IP SP - See previous response. NPG Various measures at different voltages SSE See previous response. 2
UKPN - do not have a specific distance, other than where the connection into the customer s network is short, i.e. to a transformer next to the switch house then we will allow the customer to fit CT s within our breaker for transformer protection and use our CB to protect their transformer. Therefore, by definition and being reasonable, the distance should not be more than 100 metres (to be confirmed) and must include the length of LV cable connection where a transformer is connected to the UKPN metering CB, be within the same curtilage as the incoming supply and not be part of the public highway. It is essential protection sensitivity to faults can be achieved, and this is where the requirement for a customer CB can arise if there are multiple feeds from a customer board to which UKPN is connected. However UKPN won t allow G59 protection to trip metering CB or allow generation to synchronise through UKPN breaker so customer needs to provide something downstream to carry out these functions. It was agreed that the DNOs would provide a final tabular update to this question referencing LV, HV, EHV to BW and this will close down this issue. BW will circulate a template for completion. It was agreed that the action to be completed by Friday 9 May. Action: BW/DNOs 4.4 Composite boards in S/stns. DNOs to confirm their respective policies for use of such boards UKPN - Current policy does not provide for the use of composite boards. SSE - Allow joint composite boards. NPG - Don t allow them. SP - Don t allow them. ENW - Don t allow them WPD - Don t allow them. Generators expressed concerned that if it is feasible for one DNO to allow composite boards then why do the remaining DNOs refuse there use? ie lowest cost scheme. The DNOs then expressed their respective positions with respect to certain perceived risks (business, financial, operational safety etc risks). This perceived risk is the same for demand connections. Following a discussion it was agreed that the DNOs would submit a response in relation to the use of composite boards in a tabular format. Action: DNOs DG representative were asked to come up with potential confidence building measures that can be discussed at the next meeting. Action: DG representatives 4.5 Update on the National Grid WG - Loss of Mains protection and RoCoF ML provided a brief update on the current joint panel work relating to loss of mains protection ie RoCoF. Full details of the working group and its latest developments / proposals can be found at the National Grid site using the following link - http://www2.nationalgrid.com/uk/industry-information/electricity-codes/gridcode/modifications/gc0035/ 3
4.6 Sub-station housing requirements DS updated the members on progress toward establishing a working group to develop an ENA DG Substation specification. He is discussing this matter at the ENA ENFG meeting on the 10 April and will update the members following those discussions. Action: DS 4.7 SCADA 4.6.1 Scada requirements for DNO monitoring of generation output Scottish Power and UK Power Networks update group on their respective policies. SP - PB updated the members Below 1MW SCADA not required SP Comms group reviewing SCADA policy for sub MW installations UKPN - have not had the opportunity to review its policy on the provision of SCADA since our last submission. UKPN will be incorporating this requirement into its next review and will be more specific about requirements at HV and EHV. A further update will be provided by KB at the next meeting. Action: KB 4.7.2 Update on the European network code Requirement for Generators impact on Scada requirements. ML informed the members that he would provide feedback on the above at next meeting. Action: ML 4.7.3 Requirements with respect to fixed line telephony for SCADA. DNOs to confirm their policies. Each DNO reported back as follows; WPD EHV use scanned VHF/UHF ENW 33kV and above require fixed BT line for SCADA SP Looking for least cost scheme NPG Similar to WPD use radio and rely on own NPG communications system SSE allow a number of ways - use own satellite system and BT where possible UKPN No update provided. KB is to report back at next meeting. Tabulate response required and then it can be closed down. DS to circulate template Action: DS 5. Harmonic Analysis (System Intact v N-1) DNOs to provide an update on their respective policies. Each DNO responded as follows: SP NPG HV they would look at system intact for EHV check to see what the impact is of an N-1 to understand how onerous it would be and would work with the customer to ensure all relevant harmonic planning limits are met for EHV connection. HV looking for a standard for normal running conditions at EHV depends on the running conditions of the generator. at EHV allow customers consultant to conduct assessments SSE make a charge to the customer, and then pay a contractor to do the measurements and analysis 4
WPD AH to report back at next meeting. ENW HV System normal & EHV check to see what the impact is of an N-1 - IP also provided an update on two work groups one looking at revision to G5 and the other developing an ENA Code of Practice. This COP should set out a consistant approach for all DNOs. It was suggested that this should be presented in a tabular format and could be closed down accordingly. DS to circulate relevant template. Action: DS/DNOs 6. WPD LCNF LV Network Templates Project Short presentation of findings AH provided a short presentation on the findings of the above project. It was agreed that BC and JH would prepare and deliver a short presentation on PVSyst modelling tool at the next meeting. DNOs were requested to forward any specific questions to BC/JH by 9 May. Actions: BC/JH/DNOs Following a question relating to Invertor technology type tests from DvK it was suggested that he pass on the specific invertor detals to BC & JH and they will follow up and feedback to DvK accordingly. Action: DvK/BC/JH 7. Policies on HV Interface Box Standards (IBS) Feedback from Questionnaire Feedback from DNOs NPG - Do provide Interface Boxes where possible SSE - Do not require interface boxes WPD AH will provide feedback in next few weeks ENW IP to feedback at next meeting SP - Do provide a customer interface box at EHV UK KB to feedback at next meeting Action: AH,IP,KB DvK offered to share the details of the NPG s IB schematics with all members. DNOs to check to see if there is any appetite to come up with a standard industry IB Action: DvK It was suggested that this should be presented in a tabular format. DS will circulate the relevant template. Action: DS/DNOs 5
8. Load Control Devices DNO policies. DS provided the background to this issue and the problems particularly with customers associated with the use of these devices on the local DNO networks. Basically he would like conformation that the DNOs allow these devices to be connected to their networks. DNOs responded as follows: SSE ML indicates that only approved EMA unit up to 3kW per phase are accepted across the board. Where larger installations are requested then a trial installation is identified and a test of a combination of generator and EMMA undertaken, all have been connectable but in some cases the impedance required to avoid flicker has required the use of a 200kVA transformer while a 100kVA unit would have been acceptable from a loading point of view. ENW - don t know SP - series of trials ongoing. NPG - some units connected but there are issues specific to harmonics and flicker WPD - connected but again some concerns relating to harmonics and flicker. UKPN - Nil response. It was noted that the Cool Power website indicates the EMMA Cool Power unit is approved by Electricity North West (ENW, UK) ESB Ireland (Electric Ireland) Northern Power Grid (formerly CE-Electric) Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) Western Power Distribution (WPD, UK) *EMMA units are approved for trial by SPEN(SPEN)* It was suggested that this should be presented in a tabular format. DS will circulate the relevant template. Action: DS/DNOs ML to Invite Imperial College to the next meeting to discuss the ongoing SSE commissioned investigations/study into this type of technology. Action: ML 9. DNO Policies on 'teed and Looped' connections at HV and EHV BW provided the background to this issue and the costs associated with the above connections. Following discussion It was agreed that the DNOs would share their respective policies for teed and looped connections at HV and EHV. The DNOs are to provide their policies to DS and he will circulate to the forum members. Action: DNOs/DS 10. DG Connection Guides Update DS provided a brief update to the forum on the latest progress towards publication of the revised 2014 ENA DG Connection Guides. DS to provide a suitable weblinkon the ENA website to allow the members access to the latest drafts of the guides. 11. AOB PB raised a matter relating to an enquiry from Ofgem relating to the DNO connection and ownership of two turbines. Following discussion the matter was deemed as a commercial issue. CS raised the matter of a case of a 33kV s/stn where the generator has paid for the auxiliary supply but is subsequently not allowed to use the facility by the DNO. It was 6
agreed that this was not a technical issue abut should be passed to the Commercial group for consideration. 12. Date of next meeting 22 July 2014 at the ENA commencing at 1030 Members noted the date of the next meeting of this group. Members agreed to complete the actions above by Friday 9 May2014. Action: ALL Ongoing Actions. 1 DNO target levels which may be different to Action: ML Closed statutory voltage limits 2 Status of ERs G83 & G59 Closed 3 DNO fails to comply with the recommendations of G59 they would be in breach of their licence conditions. Clarification of connection of VTs and what side of a CB should they be connected. It was agreed that the DNOs would confirm and feedback on their respective positions. Action: DNOs 4 Voltage control / Voltage rise issues including the use of different voltage control strategies at the generator level (fixed power factor, fixed voltage target, variable voltage target etc) ML confirmed SHEPD will host a learning event to discuss with other DNOs the use of voltage control (PV mode) to connect DG in their area. TR suggested the Forum should return to this issue at the April meeting following the workshop which has been planned for February/March 2014. Action: ML / TT Action: DS 5 Number of circuit breakers required for a generator connection It was agreed that actual question could be closed off as there was not one DNO who was actually insisting on the use of two CBs. Where DNOs allowed their circuit breaker to protect a customer installation up to a limit of a set distance from their circuit breaker they would give the reasoning behind setting that particular distance. 6 Composite Boards During the discussions the issue of composite boards in S/stns was raised and it was apparent that there appeared to be differing DNO policies on the use of Action: All DNOs Action: All DNOs Closed 7
shared boards for DG Installations and also arrangements for access into S/stns. It was agreed that the DNOs would feedback what their respective policies are for use of Composite boards at the next meeting in April. 7 Differences in anti-islanding requirements between DNOs All DNOs provided detail on their anti-islanding requirements; this information can be found in appendix 1. ML informed the Forum that current work ongoing via National Grid WG will have a possible effect on DNO and Generator protection policies in particular Loss of Mains protection particularly RoCoF. It was agreed that the Forum would return to this issue following the publication of the NG proposals/policy. This is expected early 2014. 8 Sub-station housing requirements DS reported back that this work will need to be delivered by the ENA and not the EATL Strategic Technology Programme. DS will raise the matter with the ENA Electricity Networks & Futures Group (ENFG) requesting that they consider establishing a task group to develop a set of generic functional requirements for DG sub-station housing that demonstrate to generators some degree of DNO consistency. Health Safety & Environmental factors are paramount in any work to develop substation housing policy. 9 Scada requirements for DNO monitoring of generation output All DNOs reported on their requirements for generator output monitoring. Following a discussion on this issue it was evident that four DNOs had very similar policies and two DNOs differed. It was agreed that the two DNOs would revisit their policy and report back at the next meeting. ML agreed to review the European network code RfG to determine its impact on Scada requirements. Members question the requirements with respect to fixed line telephony. DNOs agreed to check on this and report back to this group. All DNOs Action: All DNOs Action: ML Action: DS Action: PB/KB Action: ML Action: DNOs Closed 10 Facilitation of non-firm / actively managed connections as part of business as usual rather than as part of a RPZ or low carbon network fund project. 8
The DNOs all reported back and all agreed that there are no technical issues that prevent the use of NfC or ANM. The DNOs are currently trialling projects that are looking at Non-firm Connections (NfC) or Active Network Management (ANM.). There is no off the shelf or BAU product available but they will be in the next few years once the various LCNF projects deliver. Action: DNOs Closed It was suggested that a further update should be provided by the DNOs in 6-12 months time. TR reported that the commercial group was looking at information provision and commercial aspects of non-firm agreements. Action: ML/DS Ongoing 11 WPD LCNF LV Network Templates Project Action: AH Closed Update by AH 12 Neutral Voltage Displacement Action: ML Closed 13 DG Connection Guides Update DS informed the forum that the draft Guides are now Action: DS ready to proceed to next phase ie public consultation. Agreement will be given by the DCRP at its meeting on 5/12/13 and the draft guides will be issued w/c 9 December for a period of 4-6 weeks consultation. Update at next meeting. 14 Harmonic Analysis PB raised the issue of Harmonic analysis (System Analysis v N-1) and it was agreed that this should be added as an agenda item for the next meeting. DNOs to report back at the next meeting 15 Policies on Interface Box Standards CS raised the issue of Interface Boxes and how the DNOs apply differing policies. ML suggested CS should prepare a question for circulation to DNOs for feedback at the next meeting. 16 Load Control Devices. DS raised the matter of LCDs and the use of these products on DNO networks as a result of enquiries by manufacturers. DNOs will feedback individual DNO Policy. 17 ICPs and ENA Switchgear Approval Process Reinstate the above issue. To include on the agenda of the next meeting in July. Any update in advance of the meeting will be circulated. 18 DNO Policies on 'teed and Looped' connections at HV and EHV BW provided the background to this issue and the Action: DNOs Action: CS/DMOs Action: All DNOs Action DS 9
costs associated with the above connections. Following discussion It was agreed that the DNOs would share their respective policies for teed and looped connections at HV and EHV. The DNOs are to provide their policies to DS and he will circulate to the forum members. Action DNOs 19 P2/6 Does it apply to DG 20 Harmonics Update 21 DNO Policy Application of NVD protection 22 Cable Ratings applicable to DG projects 23 Requirement for Test Prods at consumers s/stns 10