AWEA Files "Grid Code" Interconnection Standards for
Wind Systems
On May 20, 2004, the American Wind Energy
Association (AWEA) filed recommendations with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the treatment of wind
generating plants under FERC's recent rulemaking (Order 2003 A) establishing
national standards for interconnection of new generators to the interstate
electricity grid. AWEA's recommendations are based on the work performed by the
“Grid Code” industry group organized by AWEA policy director Jim Caldwell.
AWEA's proposed performance specifications include the following:
- Low-voltage ride-through. These standards ensure that new wind
turbines and arrays can remain online through most common power system
disturbances and will support the integrity and stability of the grid. AWEA
proposes the adoption of an emerging European standard designed to allow
high penetration of wind on the grid.
- Voltage support/reactive power. FERC’s order proposes certain
voltage profiles to maintain the reliability of transmission lines. AWEA
recommends that the same criteria apply to wind plants but not necessarily
to each individual turbine, subject to a demonstrated need for this
capability and certain other clarifications.
- Communication and control. Transmission providers seek
communication from individual plants and some control over those plants in
case of emergency and contingency events. AWEA proposes standards for the
installation of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) equipment
to communicate with transmission providers and allow for some extent of
remote control.
AWEA also proposes several process recommendations in its filing. Specifically,
the organization recommended that transmission providers and manufacturers of
wind generators participate in a formal process for developing, updating and
improving engineering models and turbine specifications used for modeling wind
plant interconnection. Furthermore, AWEA proposed that generators should be
permitted to study interconnection feasibility in a manner analogous to the New
York Independent System Operator's (NYISO) practices. AWEA believes this is
necessary because engineering designs are normally not finalized until after
feasibility studies are complete, and the developers understand the specific
grid conditions at the point of interconnection.
AWEA also asked FERC to reiterate that meeting these standards will
presumptively entitle a facility to gain the right to interconnect to a
transmission system unless a utility can show just reason for more stringent
standards. In addition, AWEA asked FERC to signify that transmission providers
-- on a case-by-case basis -- should waive any requirements not needed to meet
reliability standards.
In the filing, AWEA requested that FERC schedule a technical conference to
formally introduce the "Grid Code" to the electric power industry.
According to AWEA, FERC likely will hold the conference and issue a rule to
adopt this proposal into the broader rulemaking over the summer and fall.
“The wind industry embraces the fact that the maintenance of the reliability
of the transmission system is a responsibility shared by all users of that
system," Caldwell said. "Wind plant developers also need consistent
rules in order to plan for the future. With the 'Grid Code' filing, we are
laying out what is feasible and responsive to transmission providers’ concerns
for grid reliability. We invite a dialogue with transmission operators and
engineers on the details of the rulemaking implementation.”
On March 3, 2004, FERC reaffirmed its July 2003 rule (Order No. 2003) that sets
standard procedures and agreements for the interconnection of generators larger
than 20 megawatts -- a move designed to facilitate development of needed
infrastructure for the nation’s electric system. In this rule, FERC offered a
forum to the industry to put forth its recommendations on what the appropriate
standards for the wind industry should be.
In response to FERC's request, Caldwell convened an industry group to recommend
best practices for the wind industry. The group researched emerging practice
from utilities, turbine manufacturers and design engineers around the world;
engaged transmission engineers from U.S. utilities purchasing wind power; and
participated in several formal studies of the issue.
For a copy of AWEA's filing, contact Jim Caldwell at JCaldwell@awea.org
or (202) 383-2517.
(Source: Wind Energy Weekly, 5/21/04)