European Standards supporting the application of Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators (Text with EEA relevance)

The following European standards provide a technical reference for connection agreements between the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)/Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and the electricity producers, in the context of COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631:

• EN 50549-1:2019 - Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks - Part 1: Connection to a LV distribution network - Generating plants up to and including Type B - This standard provides technical requirements for the connection of generating plants up to and including Type A (-1-1)/ Type B (-1-2) which can be operated in parallel with a public LV distribution network
• EN 50549-1:2019/AC:2019-04
• EN 50549-2:2019 - Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks - Part 2: Connection to a MV distribution network - Generating plants up to and including Type B - This standard provides technical requirements for the connection of generating plants up to and including Type B which can be operated in parallel with a public MV distribution network. They are intended to be used as a technical reference for connection agreements between distribution system operators (DSOs) and electricity producers and to demonstrate compliance with COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2016/631 (Requirements for Generators)
• EN 50549-2:2019/AC:2019-03

Check the updated list of standards in support of Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631

What does it cover Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631? 

Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 establishes a network code that lays down the requirements for grid connection of power-generating facilities, namely synchronous power-generating modules, power park modules and offshore power park modules, to the interconnected system. It, therefore, helps to ensure fair conditions of competition in the internal electricity market, to ensure system security and the integration of renewable electricity sources, and to facilitate Union-wide trade in electricity. This regulation also lays down the obligations for ensuring that system operators make appropriate use of the power-generating facilities' capabilities in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner to provide a level playing field throughout the Union.

The connection requirements set out in this Regulation shall apply to new power-generating modules which are considered significant in accordance with Article 5 (Determination of significance) of the Regulation, unless otherwise provided.

Article 7 - Regulatory aspects

The Commission Regulation does not refer directly to standards, but it gives a role to European standards to support the application and assessment of regulatory aspects for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks

1.   Requirements of general application to be established by relevant system operators or TSOs under this Regulation shall be subject to approval by the entity designated by the Member State and be published. The designated entity shall be the regulatory authority unless otherwise provided by the Member State.

2.   For site specific requirements to be established by relevant system operators or TSOs under this Regulation, Member States may require approval by a designated entity.

3.   When applying this Regulation, Member States, competent entities and system operators shall:

(a) apply the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination;

(b) ensure transparency;

(c) apply the principle of optimisation between the highest overall efficiency and lowest total costs for all parties involved;

(d) respect the responsibility assigned to the relevant TSO in order to ensure system security, including as required by national legislation;

(e) consult with relevant DSOs and take account of potential impacts on their system;

(f) take into consideration agreed European standards and technical specifications.

New European standardization work

Currently, the CENELEC Technical Committee CLC/TC 8X 'System aspects of electrical energy supply' is working on the next generation of standards to support the EU legislation on grid connection of generators, requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks, which includes:

• Part 1: Connection to a LV distribution network - Generating plants up to and including Type B
• Part 2: Connection to a MV distribution network - Generating plants up to and including Type B
• Part 10: Tests for conformity assessment of generating units - This EN is intended to describe the (type) tests to be performed in order to demonstrate compliance to the technical requirements given in the future standard EN 50549-1 (follow-up of TS 50549-1 and EN 50438) or the future standard EN 50549-2 (follow-up of TS 50549-2)- The required procedures are generally applicable to generating units with power up to 1MW. For testing generating units above 1MW tests might need to be adapted or other applicable documents shall be used as published by the relevant product committees.

You can regularly check the list of draft European standards intending to support the EU legislation on requirements for grid connection of generators, clicking on this sentence.