Power grids throughout the world are going through a period of unprecedented change. Penetration of utility-scale renewable plants continue to increase, calling for a more robust electricity infrastructure.
The right level of stability is granted by standards and grid codes, which seek to ensure the stable and safe operation of the network by defining the main factors that must be considered when connecting any kind of power generation plant to the grid.
Europe, for example, has introduced the new ENTSO-E1 standard, which requires all European countries to define new grid codes. Germany, as a front runner, has released first grid code VDE-AR-N 4110 and VDE-AR-N 4120 standards.
ABB’s UNITROL® 1000 series is the world’s first excitation product fully compliant to the new European grid code, as validated by the renowned TÜV NORD certification body according the German standards, which are – so far – the most challenging grid codes in terms of physical tests, as well as for demanding simulations models with very high accuracy for dynamic net faults.
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1 European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity