Solar power is a relatively new energy source in Norway, but with growing interest and several projects under development, there is a need for clear guidelines and efficient solutions to ensure safe and stable connection of solar parks to the power grid. Through SoliNett, the partners will facilitate a more predictable and efficient process for grid connection of solar power in Norway.
Background
Many want to build solar parks, but there are no clear guidelines for how these projects should be connected to the power grid. This leads to long queues for grid connection processing and uncertainty for both developers and grid companies. SoliNett aims to establish a common practice for how solar parks can be connected to the grid, which will make the process more predictable and efficient.
The Energy Commission's report More of everything – faster (Mer av alt – raskere) has pointed to the need for faster expansion of both power generation and infrastructure. SoliNett is a step in this direction, and the project will be able to give both grid companies and developers the tools they need to meet this challenge.
Main objective
The main objective of SoliNett is to develop clear guidelines for connecting solar parks, based on existing requirements in Norway, international standards and research results from the project. This includes, among other things:
- A more efficient and predictable process for connecting solar parks. It should become easier for grid companies to process grid connection applications, which will reduce processing time.
- Clear technical specifications that grid companies can use to ensure that solar parks are connected to the grid in a safe and stable manner. This includes requirements for voltage regulation and harmonic distortion, as well as rules for how solar parks can contribute to frequency stabilisation.
- Optimal utilisation of the potential of solar parks with regard to voltage regulation and frequency services. Solar parks will not only produce electricity but also be able to contribute to stabilising the grid.
Research challenges
- How solar parks should relate to existing standards for distribution grids and inverters.
- How solar parks can contribute to voltage regulation and frequency stabilisation, while reducing the risk of flicker and harmonic disturbances.
- How to develop guidelines that ensure solar power plants operate optimally without causing problems in the grid.
- Through simulations and analyses, the project will generate new knowledge on these issues, which will form the basis for the technical specifications and guidelines that are developed.
Work packages
The SoliNett project is organised into three central work packages, each with its own specific focus area. These work packages address different research and development challenges related to connecting solar parks to the Norwegian power grid, and will contribute to developing the necessary technical guidelines and tools to facilitate this process.
Development of technical requirements for grid connection of solar parks
- to develop technical requirements and industry guidelines that will simplify the connection of solar parks to the power grid. The challenge lies in aligning international standards with Norwegian requirements, and in developing guidelines that create predictability for both grid companies and developers. The goal is to ensure more efficient and fair processing of connection applications, while clarifying the necessary analyses and areas of responsibility.
Reduction of the risk of harmonic disturbances and flicker, and evaluation of fault-ride-through requirements
- challenges related to voltage quality and grid stability when solar parks are connected. The focus is on reducing the risk of flicker and harmonic noise, as well as adapting fault-ride-through requirements for solar parks. Through simulations and collaboration with the supplier industry, new methods will be developed to ensure a stable connection of solar power, using tools such as allocation of harmonic voltages and currents.
Contribution to voltage and frequency regulation from solar power plants
- to investigate how solar parks can contribute to both voltage and frequency regulation in the grid. The research will focus on how solar parks can support grid stability by providing reactive power and frequency support. Simulations of various control methods for voltage regulation will be carried out, and the project will assess how solar parks can contribute to frequency stabilisation without causing problems with voltage quality.
SoliNett contributes to the green shift
Although solar power is currently a relatively new energy source in Norway, the potential is large. SoliNett will make it easier to build solar parks by developing a common practice for connection to the power grid. The project can contribute to increased renewable energy production, and by ensuring that solar parks can contribute to grid stabilisation, it will also make the power system more robust.
Project owner: Erik Melvær/REN