USAID Energy Policy Activity Categorization of Generators in the BiH Power System

Component C 2.2.a of the USAID EPA Energy Policy Activity Project provides technical assistance to the transmission and distribution system operators in BiH to achieve this goal. The terms of reference for the Working Group established to develop Guidelines for network operators in BiH to amend relevant Grid Codes define the USAID EPA technical assistance related to the BiH Transmission Grid Code and include the development of guidelines for amendments to comply with the EU Network codes and guidelines related to the connection of generators, demands, and high-voltage DC facilities. The Network Code on Requirements for Generators, Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631, is one of the most important documents from the package of EU network codes and guidelines. According to the Decision of the Permanent High-Level Group of the Energy Community No. 2018/03/PHLG-EnC dated January 12, 2018, the deadline for transposition of regulations into the national legislation is six months, while the deadline for full implementation is three years in relation to the deadline for transposition. The Energy Community Contracting Parties are obliged to fully apply the RfG NC by July 12, 2021, at the latest. Determination of the installed capacity thresholds for generator categorization purposes represents the basis for the implementation of the RfG NC. The selection of the maximum installed capacity threshold for certain classes of generators is performed by the relevant TSO with the approval of the regulator. The selection depends on local conditions, voltage level at the connection point, application of generators of different technologies, types and capacities, and their impact on the power system stability and operation, as well as analysis of the functional requirements with which generators of a certain type should comply. According to the definition given in the RfG NC, "maximum capacity" or "Pmax" means the maximum continuous active power that a power-generating module can produce, less any demand associated solely with facilitating the operation of that power-generating module and not fed into the network as specified in the connection agreement or as agreed between the relevant system operator and the power-generating facility owner. Power-generating modules are classified into four types, depending on the voltage level at the connection point and the installed capacity. The RfG NC prescribes standard default values of the installed capacity and voltage levels for categorization of power-generating modules depending on the synchronous area. The maximum values of the installed capacity threshold by the power-generating module types are listed in Table 1. The values specified in the RfG NC represent maximum values, whereby the relevant transmission system operator may prescribe different, lower values, with the obligation to uniformly apply the prescribed categorization by all system operators in a given country. The values of the prescribed installed capacity thresholds for power-generating modules in the European Union member states are listed in Table 2.