Conflicting requirements for turbogenerators from grid codes and relevant generator standards

A common point of concern for generator applications engineers is the often-contradictory requirements for large turbine generators that frequently appear in grid codes or generator interconnection requirements and the relevant national/international equipment standards. These discrepancies sometimes occur even in those cases when the grid authority appears to have the same jurisdiction as the corresponding national standard. Sometimes, the requirements of grid codes/interconnection guidelines diverge with the requirements in the standards and it becomes necessary to overspecify the generator, leading to higher costs for the interconnector with no discernible operating benefit. In some cases, the adoption of a national grid code has led to adoption of more stringent requirements than those used for the existing generating fleet and raised the cost of new generators or resulted in the prohibition of effective and economic technologies. This paper will discuss some of the more common discrepancies and point out some of the advantages of harmonizing grid codes and interconnection requirements with applicable national and international equipment standards for turbogenerators [1 - 9], and in accordance with accepted generating technologies.