Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631Show full title

Article 2 U.K. Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions in Article 2 of Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council(1)[F1 (other than the definition of ‘transmission system operator’)], Article 2 of [F2 Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity (recast) F3 ...], F4 ... Article 2 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 543/2013(2) and Article 2 of Directive 2009/72/EC [F5 (other than the definitions of ‘distributed generation’, ‘renewable energy sources’ and ‘transmission system operator’)] shall apply.

In addition, the following definitions shall apply:

(1)

‘entity’ means a regulatory authority, other F6 ... authority, system operator or other public or private body appointed under [F7 an enactment];

(2)

‘synchronous area’ means an area covered by synchronously interconnected TSOs F8 ...;

(3)

‘voltage’ means the difference in electrical potential between two points measured as the root-mean-square value of the positive sequence phase-to-phase voltages at fundamental frequency;

(4)

‘apparent power’ means the product of voltage and current at fundamental frequency, and the square root of three in the case of three-phase systems, usually expressed in kilovolt-amperes (‘kVA’) or megavolt-amperes (‘MVA’);

(5)

‘power-generating module’ means either a synchronous power-generating module or a power park module;

(6)

‘power-generating facility’ means a facility that converts primary energy into electrical energy and which consists of one or more power-generating modules connected to a network at one or more connection points;

(7)

‘power-generating facility owner’ means a natural or legal entity owning a power-generating facility;

(8)

‘main generating plant’ means one or more of the principal items of equipment required to convert the primary source of energy into electricity;

(9)

‘synchronous power-generating module’ means an indivisible set of installations which can generate electrical energy such that the frequency of the generated voltage, the generator speed and the frequency of network voltage are in a constant ratio and thus in synchronism;

(10)

‘power-generating module document’ or ‘PGMD’ means a document provided by the power-generating facility owner to the relevant system operator for a type B or C power-generating module which confirms that the power-generating module's compliance with the technical criteria set out in this Regulation has been demonstrated and provides the necessary data and statements, including a statement of compliance;

(11)

‘relevant TSO’ means the TSO in whose control area a power-generating module, a demand facility, a distribution system or a HVDC system is or will be connected to the network at any voltage level;

(12)

‘network’ means a plant and apparatus connected together in order to transmit or distribute electricity;

(13)

‘relevant system operator’ means the transmission system operator or distribution system operator to whose system a power-generating module, demand facility, distribution system or HVDC system is or will be connected;

(14)

‘connection agreement’ means a contract between the relevant system operator and either the power-generating facility owner, demand facility owner, distribution system operator or HVDC system owner, which includes the relevant site and specific technical requirements for the power-generating facility, demand facility, distribution system, distribution system connection or HVDC system;

(15)

‘connection point’ means the interface at which the power-generating module, demand facility, distribution system or HVDC system is connected to a transmission system, offshore network, distribution system, including closed distribution systems, or HVDC system, as identified in the connection agreement;

(16)

‘maximum capacity’ or ‘Pmax’ means the maximum continuous active power which 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;

(17)

‘power park module’ or ‘PPM’ means a unit or ensemble of units generating electricity, which is either non-synchronously connected to the network or connected through power electronics, and that also has a single connection point to a transmission system, distribution system including closed distribution system or HVDC system;

(18)

‘offshore power park module’ means a power park module located offshore with an offshore connection point;

(19)

‘synchronous compensation operation’ means the operation of an alternator without prime mover to regulate voltage dynamically by production or absorption of reactive power;

(20)

‘active power’ means the real component of the apparent power at fundamental frequency, expressed in watts or multiples thereof such as kilowatts (‘kW’) or megawatts (‘MW’);

(21)

‘pump-storage’ means a hydro unit in which water can be raised by means of pumps and stored to be used for the generation of electrical energy;

(22)

‘frequency’ means the electric frequency of the system expressed in hertz that can be measured in all parts of the synchronous area under the assumption of a consistent value for the system in the time frame of seconds, with only minor differences between different measurement locations. Its nominal value is 50Hz;

(23)

‘droop’ means the ratio of a steady-state change of frequency to the resulting steady-state change in active power output, expressed in percentage terms. The change in frequency is expressed as a ratio to nominal frequency and the change in active power expressed as a ratio to maximum capacity or actual active power at the moment the relevant threshold is reached;

(24)

‘minimum regulating level’ means the minimum active power, as specified in the connection agreement or as agreed between the relevant system operator and the power-generating facility owner, down to which the power-generating module can control active power;

(25)

‘setpoint’ means the target value for any parameter typically used in control schemes;

(26)

‘instruction’ means any command, within its authority, given by a system operator to a power-generating facility owner, demand facility owner, distribution system operator or HVDC system owner in order to perform an action;

(27)

‘secured fault’ means a fault which is successfully cleared according to the system operator's planning criteria;

(28)

‘reactive power’ means the imaginary component of the apparent power at fundamental frequency, usually expressed in kilovar (‘kVAr’) or megavar (‘MVAr’);

(29)

‘fault-ride-through’ means the capability of electrical devices to be able to remain connected to the network and operate through periods of low voltage at the connection point caused by secured faults;

(30)

‘alternator’ means a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by means of a rotating magnetic field;

(31)

‘current’ means the rate at which electric charge flows which is measured by the root-mean-square value of the positive sequence of the phase current at fundamental frequency;

(32)

‘stator’ means the portion of a rotating machine which includes the stationary magnetic parts with their associated windings;

(33)

‘inertia’ means the property of a rotating rigid body, such as the rotor of an alternator, such that it maintains its state of uniform rotational motion and angular momentum unless an external torque is applied;

(34)

‘synthetic inertia’ means the facility provided by a power park module or HVDC system to replace the effect of inertia of a synchronous power-generating module to a prescribed level of performance;

(35)

‘frequency control’ means the capability of a power-generating module or HVDC system to adjust its active power output in response to a measured deviation of system frequency from a setpoint, in order to maintain stable system frequency;

(36)

‘frequency sensitive mode’ or ‘FSM’ means the operating mode of a power-generating module or HVDC system in which the active power output changes in response to a change in system frequency, in such a way that it assists with the recovery to target frequency;

(37)

‘limited frequency sensitive mode — overfrequency’ or ‘LFSM-O’ means a power-generating module or HVDC system operating mode which will result in active power output reduction in response to a change in system frequency above a certain value;

(38)

‘limited frequency sensitive mode — underfrequency’‘LFSM-U’ means a power-generating module or HVDC system operating mode which will result in active power output increase in response to a change in system frequency below a certain value;

(39)

‘frequency response deadband’ means an interval used intentionally to make the frequency control unresponsive;

(40)

‘frequency response insensitivity’ means the inherent feature of the control system specified as the minimum magnitude of change in the frequency or input signal that results in a change of output power or output signal;

(41)

‘P-Q-capability diagram’ means a diagram describing the reactive power capability of a power-generating module in the context of varying active power at the connection point;

(42)

‘steady-state stability’ means the ability of a network or a synchronous power-generating module to revert and maintain stable operation following a minor disturbance;

(43)

‘island operation’ means the independent operation of a whole network or part of a network that is isolated after being disconnected from the interconnected system, having at least one power-generating module or HVDC system supplying power to this network and controlling the frequency and voltage;

(44)

‘houseload operation’ means the operation which ensures that power-generating facilities are able to continue to supply their in-house loads in the event of network failures resulting in power-generating modules being disconnected from the network and tripped onto their auxiliary supplies;

(45)

‘black start capability’ means the capability of recovery of a power-generating module from a total shutdown through a dedicated auxiliary power source without any electrical energy supply external to the power-generating facility;

(46)

‘authorised certifier’ means an entity that issues equipment certificates and power-generating module documents and whose accreditation is given by [F9 the United Kingdom Accreditation Service or such other body as may be established from time to time to carry out the function of accreditation];

(47)

‘equipment certificate’ means a document issued by an authorised certifier for equipment used by a power-generating module, demand unit, distribution system, demand facility or HVDC system. The equipment certificate defines the scope of its validity F10 .... [F11 Where a range of permitted values for equipment is specified in this Regulation or another enactment, the equipment certificate must state a specific value within that range for that equipment.] For the purpose of replacing specific parts of the compliance process, the equipment certificate may include models that have been verified against actual test results;

(48)

‘excitation control system’ means a feedback control system that includes the synchronous machine and its excitation system;

(49)

‘U-Q/Pmax-profile’ means a profile representing the reactive power capability of a power-generating module or HVDC converter station in the context of varying voltage at the connection point;

(50)

‘minimum stable operating level’ means the minimum active power, as specified in the connection agreement or as agreed between the relevant system operator and the power-generating facility owner, at which the power-generating module can be operated stably for an unlimited time;

(51)

‘overexcitation limiter’ means a control device within the AVR which prevents the rotor of an alternator from overloading by limiting the excitation current;

(52)

‘underexcitation limiter’ means a control device within the AVR, the purpose of which is to prevent the alternator from losing synchronism due to lack of excitation;

(53)

‘automatic voltage regulator’ or ‘AVR’ means the continuously acting automatic equipment controlling the terminal voltage of a synchronous power-generating module by comparing the actual terminal voltage with a reference value and controlling the output of an excitation control system;

(54)

‘power system stabiliser’ or ‘PSS’ means an additional functionality of the AVR of a synchronous power-generating module whose purpose is to damp power oscillations;

(55)

‘fast fault current’ means a current injected by a power park module or HVDC system during and after a voltage deviation caused by an electrical fault with the aim of identifying a fault by network protection systems at the initial stage of the fault, supporting system voltage retention at a later stage of the fault and system voltage restoration after fault clearance;

(56)

‘power factor’ means the ratio of the absolute value of active power to apparent power;

(57)

‘slope’ means the ratio of the change in voltage, based on reference 1 pu voltage, to a change in reactive power in-feed from zero to maximum reactive power, based on maximum reactive power;

(58)

‘offshore grid connection system’ means the complete interconnection between an offshore connection point and the onshore system at the onshore grid interconnection point;

(59)

‘onshore grid interconnection point’ means the point at which the offshore grid connection system is connected to the onshore network of the relevant system operator;

(60)

‘installation document’ means a simple structured document containing information about a type A power-generating module or a demand unit, with demand response connected below 1 000 V, and confirming its compliance with the relevant requirements;

(61)

‘statement of compliance’ means a document provided by the power-generating facility owner, demand facility owner, distribution system operator or HVDC system owner to the system operator stating the current status of compliance with the relevant specifications and requirements;

(62)

‘final operational notification’ or ‘FON’ means a notification issued by the relevant system operator to a power-generating facility owner, demand facility owner, distribution system operator or HVDC system owner who complies with the relevant specifications and requirements, allowing them to operate respectively a power-generating module, demand facility, distribution system or HVDC system by using the grid connection;

(63)

‘energisation operational notification’ or ‘EON’ means a notification issued by the relevant system operator to a power-generating facility owner, demand facility owner, distribution system operator or HVDC system owner prior to energisation of its internal network;

(64)

‘interim operational notification’ or ‘ION’ means a notification issued by the relevant system operator to a power-generating facility owner, demand facility owner, distribution system operator or HVDC system owner which allows them to operate respectively a power-generating module, demand facility, distribution system or HVDC system by using the grid connection for a limited period of time and to initiate compliance tests to ensure compliance with the relevant specifications and requirements;

(65)

‘limited operational notification’ or ‘LON’ means a notification issued by the relevant system operator to a power-generating facility owner, demand facility owner, distribution system operator or HVDC system owner who had previously attained FON status but is temporarily subject to either a significant modification or loss of capability resulting in non-compliance with the relevant specifications and requirements.

(66)

[F12 “Great Britain” includes the areas which form part of the jurisdiction of Great Britain;

(67)

“industry code” means a document maintained under a licence, or an agreement related to such a document which forms part of the same regulatory framework;

(68)

“licence” means a licence granted under section 6 of the Electricity Act 1989;

(69)

“transmission system operator” or “TSO” means—

(a)

in relation to Great Britain, a person who is designated as an electricity transmission system operator under section 10H of the Electricity Act 1989;

(b)

in relation to an area other than Great Britain, a person who is responsible for operating, ensuring the maintenance of and, if necessary, developing the transmission system in that area and, where applicable, its interconnections with other systems, and for ensuring the long-term ability of the system to meet reasonable demands for the transmission of electricity.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Art. 2 inserted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(a)

F2 Words in Art. 2 substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(b)

F3 Words in Art. 2 omitted (E.W.S.) (1.10.2024) by virtue of The Energy Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/706), regs. 1(1), 40; S.I. 2024/957, reg. 2(a)

F4 Words in Art. 2 omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(c)

F5 Words in Art. 2 inserted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(d)

F6 Word in Art. 2(1) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(a)(i)

F7 Words in Art. 2(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(a)(ii)

F8 Words in Art. 2(2) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(b)

F9 Words in Art. 2(46) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(c)

F10 Words in Art. 2(47) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(d)(i)

F11 Words in Art. 2(47) inserted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(d)(ii)

F12 Art. 2(66)-(69) inserted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets and Network Codes) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1006), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(3)(e)

(1)

Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

(2)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 543/2013 of 14 June 2013 on submission and publication of data in electricity markets and amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 714/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 163, 15.6.2013, p. 1).