Connection Codes
Connection Codes
Ensuring system security and sound technical evolution
Network codes are binding rules that govern electricity networks' connection requirements in an effective and transparent manner. They were established in 2009 by the EU Regulation on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity and recast in 2019 by the Regulation on the internal market for electricity. In 2023, ACER proposed amendments to two of the grid connection codes to the European Commission.
The codes are crucial for ensuring the safety of system operation and the efficiency of the European Union's power grid.
Connection Codes
Grid Connection Codes
Grid connection refers to all the subjects establishing and maintaining a physical connection between the transmission and/or distribution grids and the grid users.
Grid connection, or network connection, is one of the areas regulated by the specific network codes. These rules aim to develop a harmonised electricity grid connection regime, as well as efficient and secure operations. This is particularly important in view of the integration of an increasing share of sources of renewable energy in the system. European rules on grid connection also ensure a fair competition in the electricity market, and facilitate the electricity trade across the Union.
Three network codes on grid connection have been developed:
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The network code on requirements for grid connection of generators (RfG Regulation) establishes common standards that generators must respect to connect to the grid.
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The network code on demand connection (DCC Regulation) sets up harmonised requirements that demand facilities must respect to connect to the grid.
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The network code on requirements for grid connection of high voltage direct current systems (HVDC Regulation) covers the definition of harmonised standards for direct current (DC) connections.
Connection Codes
Amendment to the Grid Connection Codes
The European Commission invited ACER to initiate the process to amend two existing EU grid connection network codes: the Network Code on Requirements for Grid Connection of Generators (RfG Regulation) and the Network Code on Demand Connection (DCC Regulation).
The goal was to update the network codes to further support the EU power grid embracing emerging developments such as e-mobility, storage and energy communities.
In December 2023, ACER submitted to the European Commission its Recommendation 03-2023 on reasoned proposals for amendments to the Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 of 24 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators and Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1388 of 17 August 2016 establishing a network code on demand connection.
ACER’s main recommendations are:
RfG Regulation:
- Update definitions and expand scope of application to include new electricity storage and electric vehicles;
- Introduce criteria for significant modernization of the power generating modules following the TSOs’ proposals and regulatory approval;
- Define new requirements for various types of electric vehicles, along with associated supply equipment (such as charging parks ), and electricity storage modules.
DC Regulation:
- Update definitions and expand scope of application to include new electric vehicles and associated supply equipment as well as power-to-gas units and heat pumps;
- Introduce criteria for significant modernization of transmission-connected demand facilities, transmission-connected distribution facilities, distribution systems and demand units used to provide demand response services following TSOs’ proposals and regulatory approval;
Introduce amendments to requirements for transmission-connected demand facilities and distribution systems.
Previous steps in the amendment process
ACER published a draft Policy Paper in May 2022 and gathered initial feedback from stakeholders during a public workshop and a public consultation in June 2022. Following this, ACER ran two full-fledged public consultations in autumn 2022 and summer 2023, inviting interested parties to submit their concrete amendment proposals.
Policy Paper on the amendments to the grid connection network codes
In its Policy Paper published in September 2022, ACER provided a high-level outline of the main areas to improve the Network Code on Requirements for Grid Connection of Generators and the Network Code on Demand Connection.
The ACER Policy Paper on Grid Connection Network Codes reflected ACER’s considerations on possible amendments to the grid connection network codes following input received from stakeholders during the summer 2022.
The Policy Paper addressed potential amendments to the European network codes concerning among others:
- technical requirements for storage, mobile storage (e.g., electric vehicles) and electrical charging points;
- requirements for mixed customer sites (MCSs), active customers and energy communities;
- significant modernisation of system users’ facilities and equipment;
- advanced capabilities for grids with significant distributed energy resources (DER) and converter-based technologies; and
- criteria to determine generators significant for the system.
2022 Public consultation
ACER evaluated the provided responses submitted by stakeholders in the course of the full-fledged 2022 public consultation.
During the course of the revisions and assessment of stakeholders’ input, ACER organised three public workshops related to the amendment process of the network codes. The workshops focused on specific regulatory issues, namely:
- electromobility, power-to-gas demand units and heat-pumps (workshop on 17 April 2023);
- rate of change of frequency and grid forming capabilities (workshop on 10 May 2023); and
- electricity storage (workshop on 11 May 2023).
Access the 2022 Public Consultation and stakeholders’ responses.
Access the Public Workshop and the presentations.
Access the ACER’s workshops on electromobility, power-to-gas demand units and heat-pumps, on rate of change of frequency and grid forming capabilities, and on electricity storage.
2023 Public consultation
ACER ran a public consultation from 17 July to 25 September 2023 to gather stakeholders’ views on concrete amendment proposals on two European electricity grid connection network codes. Stakeholders were able to submit their comments separately, to one or both network codes.
Additionally, ACER organised a webinar on 19 July in order to:
- present ACER’s proposed amendments to the grid connection network codes;
- explain the purpose, process and timeline for the amendments, and the public consultation process; and
- address questions.
Access the 2023 Public Consultation.
Access the Webinar on amendments of European electricity grid connection network codes.
ACER Recommendation 03-2023
In December 2023, ACER submitted to the European Commission its Recommendation 03-2023 on proposed amendments to the grid connection network codes (GC NCs).
Access the Annexes to ACER’s Recommendation:
- Annex 1 – Amended RfG Regulation
- Annex 1a – Amended RfG Regulation TC compared to the current Regulation
- Annex 2 – Amended DC Regulation
- Annex 2a – Amended DC Regulation TC compared to the current Regulation
- Annex 3 – Policy Paper
- Annex 4 – Reasoning to proposed amendments to the RfG Regulation
- Annex 5 – Reasoning to proposed amendments to the DC Regulation
- Annex 6 – Evaluation of responses to the public consultation (26 September until 21 November 2022)
- Annex 7 – Evaluation of responses to the public consultation (17 July until 25 September 2023)
- Corrigendum to ACER Recommendation 03-2023 - Annex I and Annex Ia
2024 Public consultation
ACER is running a public consultation from 17 June to 8 September 2024 to gather stakeholders’ views on ACER’s concrete amendment proposals to the network code on grid connection requirements for high voltage direct current systems and related power park modules (NC HVDC).
In the context of the public consultation, ACER is organising a webinar on 24 June 2024 in order to:
- present ACER’s proposed amendments to the grid connection network code;
- provide any necessary clarifications on the purpose, process and timeline for the amendments, and
- inform stakeholders on how they can comment on these amendments through their participation in the public consultation.
Following the assessment of stakeholders’ input, ACER intends to submit its proposed amendments to the grid connection network code (NC HVDC) to the European Commission by the end of 2024.