01 - OBJECTIVE

OUTLINE

02 – PGC 2016 REFERENCES

03 – PHOTOVOLTAIC TESTING
REQUIREMENTS

04 – WIND FARM TESTING REQUIREMENTS

TEST OBJECTIVE
The function of a grid connection code covering
VRE is to provide technical requirements for
wind and PV plants when connecting to a
country’s electricity grid. This helps to ensure
the fair treatment of generator owners and
operators concerning grid connection while
maintaining system stability and reliability.

- International Renewable Energy Agency

 PHILIPPINE GRID CODE 2016
REFERENCES
GO 6.12 VRE GENERATING FACILITY TESTS
GO.6.12.1.1 The tests indicated under GO 6.12.2 shall be conducted, in
accordance with the established procedure and standards, to
confirm the compliance of VRE Generating Facilities to meet
the applicable requirements of the Philippine Grid Code.
GO.6.12.1.2 All test shall be recorded and witnessed by authorized
representatives of the Transmission Network Provider and VRE
Generation Company.

GCR 4.4.3 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE WIND FARMS

GCR 4.4.4 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE PHOTOVOLTAIC
GENERATION SYSTEMS
GCR 4.5 REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-LARGE GENERATING PLANTS
 VRE TEST REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLAR
AND WIND FARM
Field Tests Capacity (≥
(< 20MW)
Reactive Power Capability ✓
Voltage Control System ✓
X
Active Power Control System ✓
X
Power Quality ✓

Laboratory Test Capacity (≥

(< 20MW)
Generating Unit Power Output ✓
Frequency Withstand Capability ✓
Performance During Network Disturbances ✓
VRE SOLAR TEST REQUIREMENTS FOR
SOLAR AND WIND FARM
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PVS) VRE TEST
REQUIREMENTS
 GCR 4.4.4.1 GENERATING POWER
OUTPUT
A. PVS facilities shall be capable of continuously supplying its Active Power Output and Reactive
Power Output depending on the Availability of the primary resource within System Frequency
range of 59.7 – 60.3Hz.

Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at rated Active Power, Voltage in nominal frequency.
2. Modify the frequency at an increment of 0.1Hz per minute to reach 59.7Hz and 60.3Hz.

Performance Criteria:
1. Active and Reactive Power should not change at any variation of frequency within 5 minutes
without any signs of abnormal conditions in the inverter.
2. PV inverter should not disconnect during/upon frequency change.
 GCR 4.4.4.1 GENERATING POWER
OUTPUT
B. PVS facilities shall be capable of continuously supplying its Active Power Output depending on the
availability of primary resource, and Reactive Power at the connection point within voltage
variations ±5% during normal operating conditions and outside this range, up to a voltage variation
of ±10%.

Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at rated Active Power, Voltage in nominal frequency.
2. Modify the nominal voltage at an increment of 2.5% per minute to reach 95%, 90%, 105% and 110%
respectively.

Performance Criteria:
1. Active and Reactive Power should not change within ±5% variation of voltage within 5 minutes without
any signs of abnormal conditions in the inverter.
2. Reduction of Active and Reactive Power is allowed within ±10% variation of voltage. Provided that this
reduction does not exceed 5% of the generator’s declared data.
3. PV inverter should not disconnect during/upon voltage change from 95%, 90%, 105% and 110%.
 GCR 4.4.4.2 FREQUENCY
WITHSTAND CAPABILITY

A. Any variation of the Power System Frequency within the range of

58.2Hz andFrequency
61.8Hz should not cause the disconnection of the PVS.
Time
Hz p.u.
> 62.4 > Frequency
1.04 test valuesDisconnection is allowed
Automatic
> 61.8 - 62.4 > 1.03 –F 1.04
> 61.8 – 62.4 Hz 5 minutes
58.2 – 61.8 0.97 – F1.03
= 58.2 – 61.8 Hz
Continuous Operation
57.6 - < 58.2 0.96 - <F =0.97
57.6 - < 58.2 Hz 60 minutes
< 57.6 < 0.96 F < 57.6 Hz 5 seconds
 GCR 4.4.4.2 FREQUENCY
WITHSTAND CAPABILITY
Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at rated Active Power, Voltage in nominal frequency.
2. Modify the frequency step change with increments of 0.2Hz to the required test values until reaching the
desired target value.
3. Observe/log the inverter disconnection time.

Performance Criteria:
1. The inverter shall maintain stable operation 95% of the time, provided the voltage at the connection
point is with ±5% of the nominal values
2. PVS shall be connected for at least 5 minutes for frequencies greater than 61.8 Hz – 62.4 Hz.
3. PVS shall be connected for at least 1 hour for frequency range of 58.2 Hz – 61.8 Hz.
4. PVS shall be connected for 60 minutes for frequency range of 57.6 Hz - < 58.2 Hz.
5. For frequencies less than or equal to 57.6 Hz, PVS shall be allowed to disconnect after 5 seconds.
 GCR 4.4.4.3 REACTIVE POWER
CAPABILITY

A. PVS shall be capable of supplying Reactive Power output, at its connection point, within the limits of
Power Factor 0.95 lagging and 0.95 leading.

Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at rated Active Power, Voltage in nominal frequency.
2. Maintain the Active Power Constraint Mode depending on availability of primary resource.
3. Modify the Power Factor with increments of ±0.1 per 5 minutes until reaching Reactive Power Limits
0.95 lagging and 0.95 leading.

Performance Criteria:
1. Validation of the Reactive Capability of the PVS from 0.95 lagging to 0.95 leading.
2. Measured values are within ±5% percent of the capability as registered
3. PVS should not disconnect during/upon Power Factor change.
 GCR 4.4.4.4 PERFORMANCE DURING
NETWORK DISTURBANCES (LVRT)

A. PVS shall be able to withstand, without disconnection, Voltage Sags at the connection point, produced
by faults or disturbances in the network;

Voltage test values

Vnom = 0
Vnom = 0.30 Vnom
Vnom > 0.90 Vnom
Vnom = 0.30 Vnom – 0.90 Vnom

Procedure:
1. Using a simulator tool/program, introduce voltage sags at the connection point to determine the time
of disconnection of the PVS.
2. Observe/log the inverter disconnection time.
GCR 4.4.4.4 PERFORMANCE DURING
NETWORK DISTURBANCES (LVRT)
 GCR 4.4.4.4 PERFORMANCE DURING
NETWORK DISTURBANCES (LVRT)

Performance Criteria:

Voltage test values Time

0V 0.15 secs
0.30 Vnom 0.60 secs
0.90 Vnom 3.00 secs
> 0.90 Vnom No disconnection
0.30 Vnom – 0.90 Vnom Interpolation of values to time of disconnect

1. PV inverter should not disconnect during/upon variation of voltage.

2. Validate actual performance of PV inverter under test, relative to the required disconnection time.
3. Issuance of Certification by the manufacturer the PV inverter was tested by a reputable laboratory.
4. Formal declaration that the LVRT requirements do not impair the performance of plant protection .
 GCR 4.4.4.5 VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM

A. PVS shall be capable of supplying Reactive Power output at its connection point, within the limits of
Power Factor 0.95 lagging and 0.95 leading.

Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at rated Active Power, Voltage in nominal frequency.
2. Maintain the Active Power Constraint Mode depending on availability of primary resource.
3. Modify the Power Factor with increments of ±0.1 per 5 minutes until reaching Reactive Power Limits
0.95 lagging and 0.95 leading.
 GCR 4.4.4.5 VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM

B. PVS shall be capable of supplying Reactive Power output at its connection point, within the limits of
terminal voltage of 0.95pu to 1.05pu.

Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at rated Active Power, Voltage in nominal frequency.
2. Maintain the Active Power Constraint Mode depending on availability of primary resource.
3. Modify the terminal voltage with increments of ±0.1pu per 5 minutes until reaching Limits 0.95pu and
1.05pu.
 GCR 4.4.4.5 VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM
Performance Criteria:
1. Validation of the Reactive Capability of the PVS from 0.95 lagging to 0.95 leading.

Voltage Control Mode: control of voltage at the connection point with a margin not greater than 0.01pu
and no greater than 5% of the maximum reactive power

Voltage response time of 5 seconds, reaching the final value within 30 seconds

Power Factor Control Mode: power factor at the connection point within the required reactive power
range, with a target power factor in steps not greater than 0.01 pu.

2. PVS should not disconnect during/upon Power Factor change.

 GCR 4.4.4.6 ACTIVE POWER
SYSTEM

A. PVS should be equipped with an Active Power regulation control system able to operate, at least, in
the following control modes, provided that System Frequency is within the range of 59Hz to 61Hz.

a. Free Active power production (no Active Power control): The PVS operates producing maximum
Active Power output depending on the availability of the primary resource.

b. Active Power Constraint: The PVS should operate producing Active Power output equal to the
value specified by the System Operator (set point) provided the availability of the primary
resource is equal or higher than the prescribed value; or producing the maximum possible Active
Power in case the primary resource availability is lower than the prescribed set-point.
 GCR 4.4.4.6 ACTIVE POWER
SYSTEM

Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at Free Active Power Mode for at least an hour depending on the available
resource.
2. From Free Active Power Mode set the power plant controller to Active Power Constraint Mode. Set the
Active power to 20% of its rated/available capacity depending on the available resource.
3. Adjust Power output in 20% per step until achieving the maximum available capacity of the PV plant.

Performance Criteria:
1. PVS should not disconnect during/upon Active Power change.
2. For Active Power Constraint the change output should respond after 2 seconds and completed up to 30
seconds.
3. Measured response is within ±5% percent of the required level of response
 GCR 4.4.4.6 ACTIVE POWER
SYSTEM
B. If the Frequency exceeds 61.0Hz the Active Power control system should reduce according to the
following formula:

61.0 − 𝑓𝑛
Δ𝑃 = 45 • 𝑃𝑚 •
60
Where:
Δ𝑃 = is the variation of the Active Power output that should be achieved

𝑃𝑚 = is the Active Power output before this control is activated

𝑓𝑛 = is the network frequency

 GCR 4.4.4.6 ACTIVE POWER
SYSTEM

Procedure:
1. Operate PV inverter under test at Free Active Power Mode for at least an hour depending on the
available resource.
2. Set the initial Frequency at 60.0Hz as start point and adjust to 61.0Hz to 61.8Hz with increments of
+0.2Hz per step.

Performance Criteria:
1. PVS should not disconnect during/upon Active Power change.
2. For Active Power Gradient the change output should respond after 2 seconds and completed up to 30
seconds.
 GCR 4.4.4.6 ACTIVE POWER
SYSTEM
C. If the System Frequency drops below 59.0Hz the Active Power control system should change to Free
Active Power production mode, generating the maximum Active Power output, compatible with the
availability of Primary Resource.

Procedure:
1. On Active Power Control system, reduce the frequency from the initial set point of 60Hz with
decrements of -0.2Hz per step until reaching 59.0Hz.
2. Gradually decrease frequency with same step decrements until reaching 58.8Hz.

Performance Criteria:
1. PVS should not disconnect during/upon frequency change.
2. Observe the change of Active Power Control to Free Active Power production mode below frequency
of 59Hz.
 GCR 4.4.4.7 POWER QUALITY

A. With the system on Normal State, upon connection of the PVS, the Flicker severity at the Connection
Point shall not exceed the values established in PST 3.2.6.6 of the PGC.
B. Upon the connection of PVS, the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the voltage and the Total Demand
Distortion (TDD) of the current at the Connection Point shall not exceed the limits established in PST
3.2.4.4 of the PGC.

Procedure:
1. Install the PQ analyzer at the Connection Point/s and measure Power Quality parameters (Flicker, THD
& TDD).
2. Monitor Power Quality for a minimum of one (1) week for quality data sampling.
 GCR 4.4.4.7 POWER QUALITY

Performance Criteria:
1. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Individual
Voltage Level THD
Odd Even
500kV 1.5% 1.0% 0.5%
115kV – 230kV 2.5% 1.5% 1.0%
69kV 3.0% 2.0% 1.0%
 GCR 4.4.4.7 POWER QUALITY

Performance Criteria:
2. Total Demand Distortion (TDD)
Individual
Voltage Level TDD
Odd Even
500kV 1.5% 1.0% 0.5%
115kV – 230kV 2.5% 2.0% 0.5%
69kV 5.0% 4.0% 1.0%
 GCR 4.4.4.7 POWER QUALITY

Performance Criteria:
3. Flicker Severity

Voltage Level Short Term Long Term

115kV and above 0.8 unit 0.6 unit

Below 115kV 1.0 unit 0.8 unit
THANK YOU!