Requirements for New Grid Codes: A Review in Spain & Portugal

Abstract

To continue to make successful progress towards the achievement of net zero emissions by 2050, a significant number of new facilities based on renewable technologies must continue to be deployed at large scale. However, the integration of large capacities of renewable generation sources into power systems leads to a series of challenges that must be urgently addressed. On the one hand, the intermittent character of renewable resources may lead to imbalances between generation and demand curves, and on the other hand, transmission and distribution system operators will have to carefully consider the impact of reduced power system inertia due to the increase in the number of renewable power plants. Under this framework, stricter technical requirements will be demanded to new power plants that will be integrated into the grid to guarantee quality of electricity supply. These requirements are included within increasingly modern and up-to-date network connection -or gridcodes. Thus, grid codes have a significant role to play in the years to come towards the transition of a more sustainable future, and therefore this paper presents an overview of two grid codes for connecting new generation units across Europe, focusing on the current situation of Iberia. A special emphasis is given on the detailing of certain grid code requirements based on a comparison between the Portuguese and the Spanish grid codes, together with few highlights on the operational procedures for connecting new generation units on both regions.