Speaking of Risks: An Update

to the NRS097-2 and other

Technical Requirements
(SSEG)
Background to SSEG
Specification Development
Dr Gerhard Botha
2016/03/31
In association with:

Overview

Background to SSEG in South Africa

Inverter Specifications
Small Generator Specifications
Planning Framework
Type Testing
Policies and Procedures
Installation Standards
Tariffs

Background
Small Scale Embedded Generation
SA development since 2007
Municipalities received many requests for solar PV
installations
Approached Eskom for unified requirements via
NRS
First edition published Dec 2010
Based on IEC61727

NERSA approval of such installations for

municipalities in Sep 2011
Municipalities need to keep proper records and
report to NERSA, what, where, how much etc.;
Comply with requirements from NRS 097-2-1;

Background
Then happened load-shedding
Co-generation
Tariff
Requirements Eskom response via internal
standard
Distribution standard for the interconnection of
embedded generation
Minimum technical and statutory requirements for
the connection of embedded generators to
medium-voltage and high-voltage utility
distribution networks
MV and HV

NRS 097
Grid interconnection of embedded
generation
Part 1: Distribution standard for the
interconnection of embedded generation
To be based on Eskom standard

Still undeveloped
>100kVA
SA Grid Code for Renewable Power
Plants (RPP Grid Code)

NRS 097-2
Grid interconnection of embedded generation
Part 2: Small-scale embedded generation
The specification sets out the technical requirements for the
utility interface, the embedded generator and/or system and
the utility distribution network with respect to embedded
generation. The specification applies to embedded generators
and or embedded generator systems smaller than or equal to
1000 kVA connected to low-voltage networks.
Section 1: Utility interface
Section 2: Embedded generator requirements. (To be
developed in the future.)
Section 3: Utility framework.
Section 4: Procedures for implementation and application. (To
be developed in the future.)

NRS 097-2
Grid interconnection of embedded generation
Part 2: Small-scale embedded generation
Section 1: Utility interface
Technical requirements for a generator to
connect to the utility network
Not an inverter specification
Device Independent

Not a generator specification

Interface Document

Describe the requirements at the utility interface

NRS 097-2
Connected to LV (<1kV)
Edition 1 <100kVA
Edition 2 <1000kVA
Aligns with RPP Grid Code as far as
possible
Influenced by international
developments

Section 1 New Additions

Controllability requirements
Larger than 100kVA

Ramp-up after abnormal conditions

Communication requirements
Need local control
Number of installations cannot be individually
controlled

Section 1 New Additions

Power factor requirements updated

A1 and A2 pf > 0.98
A3 pf > 0.95
May operate anywhere in the shaded region

Section 1 New Additions

Safety disconnect requirements
Abnormal Voltages
Voltage range
(at point of connection)
V < 50 %
50 % V < 85 %
85 % V 110 %

Maximum trip time

S
0,2 s
10 s
Continuous operation

110 % < V < 115 %

115% V < 120%

40 s
2s

120 % V

0,16 s

NOTE If multi-voltage control settings are not possible, the more

stringent trip time should be implemented, e.g. 2 s between 110%
and 120% of voltage.

Section 1 New Additions

Safety disconnect requirements
Abnormal Frequency

Section 1 New Additions

Ride-through requirements (Also RPP Grid
Code)
Category A1 and A2
Dip type Y and X1 (NRS 048-2)
120%
110%

90%
Y
80%
Z1

70%
X1
60%

S
X2

40%
Z2
T

0%

150

600

3000 ms

20s

Section 1 New Additions

Ride-through requirements (Also RPP Grid
Code)
Category A3
Same as category B (and C excluding Area D)
120%
Area D

110%

Area A
90%
Y
80%
Z1

70%

Area B

X1
60%

Area C

X2
40%
Z2
T

0%

150

600

3000 ms

20s

Section 1 New Additions

Power Quality
Limits for flicker and voltage unbalance
Pst = 0,35;
Plt = 0,30;
Maximum unbalance between phases
< 4.6 kVA
Two- and three-phase connections

Section 1 New Additions

EMC
Smart meter and residential equipment
interference

SANS/IEC 50065-1
CISPR 11 Class B

Section 1 New Additions

Fault Level

5th percentile of MV

NRS 097-2
Section 3: Simplified utility connection criteria for lowvoltage connected generators
For use by utilities
Customers can establish what would be easy to connect,
e.g. smaller than 25% of ADMD/Breaker size
Maximum size as a function of cable parameters and
distance from transformer

Flowchart to consider connection without detailed

studies
When SSEG connection request complies with simplified
checks, can be connected
Principle of fairness
Eskom would not allow all these connections at this time
Pilot project (dedicated connections)

NRS 097-2
VDE 4105 stipulates 3% max voltage
rise due to all SSEG connected
Implicit in planning flowchart

Voltage profiles with no generation

110
109
108
105

105

Voltage (%)

Low load
1% rise
limit

104.5

100

Peak load
15% drop
limit

95

90

90

Distance (km)

Voltage profiles with generation

115

114.5

112.5

112.5

Voltage (%)

110
107.5
106.5

105
105

103.5

105
102.5

102

100
97.5

96.5
95
Distance (km)

peak load
low load

Network can absorb significantly less power than it can supply

NRS 097-2
Part 2: Embedded generator requirements
Type Testing

How to prove the generator complies with requirements of

part 1
DRAFT
Review international standards again International exposure
No single document that will fulfil the requirements for SSEG
connection and type testing for LV networks in South Africa
Specific comparison for utility interface:

VDE 4105
EN 50438
IEC 61727, 61000-series, other
ER G83/1-1 and G59/2
IEEE 1547 / UL 1741

Align with international best practices!

NRS 097-2
Section 4: Procedures for
implementation and application
To be developed

SA Grid Code
RPP Grid Code
Category A
A1: 0 -13.8kVA (4.6kVA/phase)
A2: 13.8-100kVA
A3: 100kVA 1MVA (including smaller units
connected to a dedicated MV/LV
transformer)

Category B
1MVA 20MVA

Category C
Larger than 20MVA

SANS: Wiring Code

SANS 10142-3 WG convened
Progress slow
Utility viewpoint
Installers viewpoint

Licensing
Feedback received yesterday

Safety Concerns

Installation deficiencies

Anti-islanding

2016-04-02

Failure of the inverter to detect that the network is not energised

Remains a risk (in shared networks) until LV networks can be earthed
Earthing at LV requires redesign of LV networks (e.g. providing earthing terminals
etc.)

LV Maintenance Process

Failure to disconnect when the network is de-energised

Test for voltage before work commences will safeguard LV personnel

Re-connection while maintenance in progress

Installation of utility-accessible lock-out breaker (where feasible)

Such a breaker is not feasible in shared networks
DC fed back into network (possible failure modes of the inverter)
DC vs. AC breakers and associated derating

Need to measure after disconnection

Most voltmeters either DC or AC

Australia rumours of several PV installations that caused fires at

residential homes
Emergency Personnel, e.g. firefighting

28

How to earth a
generator

Few Other Aspects

No approved tariffs
Cowboy approach under the radar

Offset of consumption
Gives good return on investment

Licensing vs. registration

Regulatory framework

Power Quality
RPP GC
Default values for Generators < 5MVA

Subtleties
Renewable Power Producers
Point of Connection

Embedded Generators
Generator terminals
Point of Connection

Safety aspects

Conclusions
South Africa has learnt a lot
Alignment with international best
practices as far as possible
BUT: South African Networks and
Conditions are completely different to
typical European or American networks

Thank you

gerhard@route63training.com
+27-83-407-9651