GL ready to certify Spanish Grid Code Compliance

Hamburg, 5 October 2007 - High voltage transmission lines are vulnerable - grid failures are an ever-present threat. In Spain these low voltage events are called "huecos". Wind turbines are able to withstand such a case. That is why the Spanish government has taken actions: From 1 January 2008, all Spanish wind farms will be required to support the transmission grid in case of failure according to the Spanish grid code P.O. 12.3. German classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has now been accredited to certify Spanish wind farms according to P.O. 12.3.

The procedure of how to comply with the Spanish grid code is defined by the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE). The so-called PVVC procedure includes measurements of full scale tests at medium voltage level, validated simulation and wind farm certification. According to the AEE, there are two possible ways to receive the requested certificate: either by particular or general procedure. The particular procedure is mainly based on type testing; the general procedure requires type simulation, validated by type testing. In any case, all types of wind turbines as well as the overall behaviour of each wind farm have to be type tested.

The accreditation of Germanischer Lloyd is based on EN 45011 and registered by the German Accreditation Council (DAR). It is also accepted by the Spanish accreditation entity ENAC.

Spain is not the only market having requirements for grid code compliance. Project certification will probably soon be demanded in Germany for wind turbines connected to the medium voltage level. Germanischer Lloyd is offering an international approach for certification. Thus, grid code compliance can be granted not only for one country, but for all countries relevant for the customer. The broad international approach by GL concerning Grid Code Compliance (GCC) is split in a Type Certificate (GCC) and a Project Certificate (GCC).

GL is not only offering certification, but also a service for International Grid Code Comparison (IGCC). As the multitude of grid codes is increasingly complex and new revisions are coming up regularly, GL offers a corresponding monthly update of this service.