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"Friendly grid-connected" into a new standard for photovoltaic power plants
In recent days, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Liaoning have started assessing several grid-friendly wind farms and photovoltaic power stations. As renewable energy generation becomes more volatile and distributed power systems grow in scale, the stability and security of the power grid are under increasing pressure. Consequently, "grid-friendly" has become a new standard for both wind farms and solar power plants.
Recently, Battelle in the U.S. developed “grid-friendly charging control technology†that allows electric vehicles to automatically start or stop charging based on grid conditions. This helps reduce grid strain from the user side, lowers costs for owners, and enhances grid security. According to Dan Tang, project manager at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Intelligent Grid Research and Development Department, “We need smart charging stations that match the intelligence of electric cars and smart grid infrastructure to avoid overloading the grid and offer flexible energy billing.â€
Yao Xiaoqin, a senior member of the China Renewable Energy Society, explained that building a strong and friendly smart grid requires coordination between power generation equipment and the grid to support safe and efficient operations. She noted that in many foreign countries, grid-connected projects follow strict grid-friendly principles, but in China, there is still a gap in standards and implementation, leading to issues like “wasted solar and wind energy†in the northwest regions.
China's renewable energy sector has seen rapid growth. By the end of 2012, the country's wind power capacity reached 63 GW, making it the world's largest wind power producer. Meanwhile, solar power saw a significant rise, with domestic installed capacity reaching 7 GW in 2012 and expected to hit 10 GW in 2013. However, these sources are inherently unstable and difficult to control, causing grid connection challenges.
The National Energy Administration reported that in 2012, about 20 billion kWh of wind power was wasted due to grid limitations. This equates to over 6.78 million tons of standard coal lost and billions in economic losses. With large-scale PV development, grid connection problems are becoming more evident, and industry experts warn that without proper solutions, this issue will worsen.
To improve grid compatibility, Yao Xiaoqin emphasized the importance of enhancing predictability, stability, and controllability of renewable energy. One key technology is “low-voltage ride-through,†which allows wind turbines to stay connected during voltage drops and even supply reactive power to help restore the grid. While this technology has been applied in some areas, its implementation remains inconsistent.
For example, Germany mandated low-voltage ride-through capabilities for wind turbines as early as 2003, but China only recognized the need in 2007. Despite research and testing, it wasn’t included in national standards until later. In 2011, several wind farms suffered from off-grid incidents, prompting new regulations. Yet, even now, many turbines fail to meet the required standards.
To address these challenges, the National 863 Program launched a project in Lanzhou in late 2012 focused on grid-friendly new energy technologies. Experts suggest that manufacturers must invest in R&D to improve equipment performance, including better inverters, reactive power regulation, and low-voltage ride-through capabilities.
On the user side, Battelle’s grid-friendly charging system can monitor grid frequency and adjust vehicle charging accordingly, ensuring grid stability during fluctuations. This approach is especially important as renewable energy integration increases.
Ultimately, creating a grid-friendly environment requires collaboration among manufacturers, grid operators, and users. While progress has been made, the real challenge lies in effectively implementing existing standards and phasing out outdated technologies. Only through coordinated efforts can renewable energy fully integrate into the grid and support a sustainable energy future.