Grid Codes: Goals and Challenges

Electric power has always been one of the driving forces for progress in human life. This has popularized electric energy as the most utilized form of energy. However, dispersed locations of energy resources and continuously increasing demand of electricity have led to a large electric power transmission network across the landscape. To operate the system effectively, a large number of components, such as protection systems, monitoring systems, operational procedures, etc. are required to work in a synchronized and efficient manner; otherwise, contingencies may arise in the system. Development and integration of renewable energy sources into the existing power system has enhanced the complexity in the network. Efficient operation of this complex network is a tedious task for the authorities. Thus, to simplify the planning, operational, and other tasks, grid codes have been developed. Grid codes are the rules laid by the authorities for all its stakeholders, i.e., the users and power generating stations for connecting to the network and operate as per the standards. These grid codes implement the regulations for smooth operation of the grid and its connected components. It implies to the existing and future plants. This chapter gives an overview of the grid codes, its various components and their development considering integration of renewable energy into the grid. Various aspects, such as classification and specifications of the grid codes, the anomalies that exist between the grid codes developed and standards used in conventional power plants are discussed in this chapter.