Requirements for New Grid Codes: A Review in Spain and Portugal

Abstract

To continue to make successful progress towards the achievement of netzero emissions by 2050, a significant number of new facilities based on renewable technologies must continueto be deployed at large scale.However, the integration of large capacities of renewable generation sources into power systems leads to a series of challenges that must be urgently addressed. On the one hand, the intermittent character of renewable resources may lead to imbalances between generation and demand curves, andon the other hand, transmission anddistribution system operators will have to carefully consider the impactof reduced power system inertiadue to the increase in the number of renewablepower plants. Under this framework, stricter technical requirements will bedemanded to new power plants that willbe integrated into the gridto guarantee quality of electricity supply.These requirements are included within increasingly modern and up-to-date network connection -or grid-codes. Thus, gridcodes have a significant role to play in the years to come towards the transition of a more sustainable future, and thereforethis paper presentsan overview of twogridcodesfor connecting new generation units across Europe,focusing onthe current situation of Iberia. Aspecial emphasisis given on the detailingof certain grid coderequirementsbased ona comparison between the Portuguese andthe Spanish gridcodes,together with few highlights on theoperationalprocedures forconnecting new generation unitson both regions.