Smart Power
Plant Controller
Bachmann Case Study
Introduction
The new VDE-AR-N 4110 Technical Connection Rules (TCR) for Medium Voltage for grid power supply entered into force in Germany on April 27, 2019. Energy park operators were subsequently required to install a certified park controller at the feed-in point of any power generation system (PGS) with an energy output of 135 kW or higher.
These new rules apply also to virtually all plant operators generating energy from renewable sources:
- Wind power
- Photovoltaic installations
- Combined heat and power units (CHP units) with hydrogen or gas
- Biogas
- Battery storage systems
- Hydropower
The new standard was a response to rapid growth in the number of decentralized power generation systems (solar, wind) installed since the transition to renewable energy, which are not directly controllable.
This presents network operators with major challenges: they must ensure network stability at all times, whilst fulfilling strict supply security obligations. The TCR Medium Voltage introduces standards to regulate the cooperation of energy producers and network operators.
This case study provides an in-depth description of the new standard and presents solutions that enable power generation system operators to achieve compliance with statutory requirements. The case study also introduces several ways to improve the efficiency of energy park control.