Grid Code Load Flow


Grid Code Load Flow

Grid Code Load Flow

Overview

Grid Code Load Flow study determines Renewable Power Plant's reactive power capability at Point of Measurement (POM) under normal operating conditions and compare plant capability against grid interconnection requirements to validate compliance.

Grid Code Load Flow study determines Renewable Power Plant's reactive power capability at Point of Measurement (POM) under normal operating conditions. In one Grid Code Load Flow calculation, hundreds of Load Flow scenarios are run at different voltage setpoints by incrementally adjusting the MW and MVAR output from each renewable source, a process also known as 'sweeping.' All results are then compiled to obtain the total output at POM. Upon completion, Grid Code Load Flow generates a comprehensive report including compliance details, alerts, and all power plant assets input data. Visualized report of power plant P-Q and V-PF capability against grid interconnection requirements shows compliance or discrepancy in an intuitive way.

Feature Solutions

Rulebook: Equipment

ETAP Capability and Control rulebook allows user to select or enter assets’ reactive power capability curve:

  • P vs. Q or P vs. PF format, at different voltage levels
  • Allows to extrapolate curve when asset’s operating voltage falls outside the pre-defined range. 

Rulebook: Grid Code

ETAP Capability and Control rulebook contains various international codes. While ETAP is continuously adding new rulebook data to cover more regions, users can also add their own rulebook. ETAP Grid Code rulebook supports the following data entry: 

  • P-Q requirement: Grid required reactive power capability at different active power values
  • Q-V requirement: Grid required power factor capability at different voltage levels

Grid Code rulebook can be selected in ETAP Grid Code Load Flow study case to validate if power plant capability meets the code. 

Power Plant Editor

Common renewable sources supported in Grid Code Load Flow include, but not limited to: 

  • Inverter-based sources: WTG, PV Array, and other inverter elements
  • BESS and Fuel Cells
  • Reactive power sources: Capacitor Banks and STATCOMs. 

ETAP Power Plant Editor is a user-friendly interface to select all power sources within the plant and define the Point of Measurement (POM) with ease. Upon selection, ETAP will automatically prepare relevant input data for calculation.


Adaptive Capability Sweeping

Grid Code Load Flow performs hundreds of load flow studies in batches, also known as 'Sweeping':

  • Assign Assets' power dispatch priority and equipment capability curve either individually or globally through the study case. 
  • Define and save voltage setpoints for P-Q sweep, MW setpoints for V-PF sweep, and sweep resolution in study case. 
  • User's choice to consider or ignore critical and marginal alerts in the final sweeping result. 
  • Study case comes with non-zero default values that works for typical P-Q and V-PF study. 

Based on plant settings, and user defined sweeping data, Grid Code Load Flow run P-Q sweeping and V-PF sweeping in batches. This adaptive sweeping approach reduces simulation time while maintaining accuracy.


Excel Reports

Upon completion of the study, Grid Code Load Flow provides a comprehensive report: 

  • Access detailed project data, study settings, device and grid capability rules used in current Grid Code Load Flow study. 
  • Clear visualization of power plant capability results against grid requirements in both tables and charts. The charts help to easily evaluate compliance and identify discrepancies. Tabulated alerts helps to determine assets that play role in limiting the capability curve. 

Integrated solution of renewable plant reactive power capability

  • Saving Time with a Dedicated Module
    • Intuitive and simple setup within in a dedicated study case and plant editor
    • Easy-to-use rulebook with pre-defined grid requirements and typical equipment capability curves
    • Individual or global assignment of equipment capacity and power priority through study case
    • One simulation to obtain P-Q, V-PF results at different voltage setpoints
  • Adaptive Sweeping Algorithm
    • Automatically determines sweeping depth based on user-defined simulation settings and plant operation limits
    • Assesses power plant P-Q and V-PF capability at various voltage setpoints
    • Record and avoid operating constraints through study case alert settings
    • Automatically compile numerous load flow results to obtain final results
  • Comprehensive Excel Report
    • Intuitive charts and tabulated data with visualized compliance
    • Details on plant assets input data, Grid Requirements, and study case settings. 
    • Ready to submit to system operator
  • Complex Standards and Codes
    • Grid Interconnection Requirements for renewable power plants and systems covers numerous performance requirements, including but not limited to: 
      • voltage and frequency ride-through
      • active power control
      • reactive power control
      • dynamic active power support under abnormal frequency conditions
      • dynamic voltage support under abnormal voltage conditions
      • power quality
      • negative sequence current injection
      • system protection
    • Navigating through standards, and convert them into the data for analysis can be challenging and time-consuming.
  • Manual Check and Detailed Analysis
    • Ensuring compliance with grid interconnection requirements involves extensive manual work, including running numerous Load Flow scenarios and compiling the results. This manual process can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring significant effort to address various operating limitations and ensure overall grid code compliance. 

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