12.

2 Conditions for System Connection

Table 12.4 Relative harmonic and interharmonic currents
(emission limits) for the connection of generation units
to HV systems.

Harmonic order n
Interharmonic order m

Relative current in (A /GVA1)

5
7
11
13
17
19
23
25
>25 or even order
< 40
> 40 bandwidth 200 Hz

110 kV system

220 kV system

380 kV system

2.6
3.75
2.4
1.6
0.92
0.7
0.46
0.32
5.25/
5.25/
16/

1.3
1.9
1.2
0.8
0.46
0.35
0.23
0.16
2.6/
2.6/
8/

0.74
1.1
0.68
0.46
0.26
0.2
0.13
0.09
1.5/
1.5/
4.5/

also apply to interharmonic currents, with the relative currents (in amperes per
unit of short-circuit power) as in Table 12.4.
I per = iper SkPCC

I per = iper SkPCC

SA
S0
SA
S0

for 13

for > 13

(12.7a)

(12.7b)

Harmonics and interharmonics of the order > 13, > 13 (frequency above
650 Hz) need not be considered if the maximal power of one generation unit is
smaller than 1% of the system short-circuit power.
The method and limit values explained above consider only the superposition
of harmonics and interharmonics emitted from generation units at one PCC or
in a limited system area of the same voltage level. If a high amount of generation
is connected to different substations of a power system, this simplied approach
is no longer valid. Detailed investigations by means of harmonic studies and
measurements must be carried out in this case. [66].
12.2.6
Flicker

Flicker from generation units with connection to the LV system are to be assessed
in accordance with IEC 61000-3-3 (VDE 0838-3) and IEC 61000-3-11 (VDE 0838-11)
with respect to the compatibility of the power system, by conformity certicate of
the manufacturer or by an independent certication institute. The emission limits

213

214

12 Connection of Green-Energy Generation to Power Systems

in the different parts of IEC 61000-3 must be adhered to. For connection to the
MV system it is recommended to take IEC 77A/136/CDV:1995 as basis for the
assessment. Flicker emission due to generation occurs mainly from wind-energy
units due to the changing generated power.
The long-time icker-value Plt at point of common coupling (PCC) in the LV
or MV system should remain below Plt 0.46. For connection to the HV system
the long-time icker-value should be kept below Plt 0.37. The icker-values are
calculated from Equation 12.8.
Plt = c

SnE
SkPCC

(12.8)

The nominal power SnE of wind energy units is to be set equal the nominal
apparent power of the generator SnG. The factor c, called icker-byvalue, is actually
only dened for wind-power units and is calculated using Equation 12.9.
c = Plt

SkPCC
SnG cos( kPCC + f )

(12.9)

with
SkPCC = short-circuit power at PCC
kPCC = phase-angle of system impedance at PCC
f = relevant phase-angle for icker as in Equation 12.10.
f = arctan

( QP )

(12.10)

The icker-byvalue c and impedance angle kV are indicated in the test report
of the wind-energy plant.
More exact analysis of the long-time icker-value in HV systems by means of
calculation is necessary if the icker-value given by Equation 12.8 exceeds Plt >
0.37. Equation 12.11 is to be used in this case.
Plt = c

SnE
SnG cos( kPCC + f )
SkPCC

(12.11)

The total icker-value resulting from different generation units of different

power rating or type is calculated from Equation 12.12.
Pltges =

2
lti

(12.12)

12.2.7
Voltage Unbalance

Generation units are to be connected as three-phase arrangement to the power

system with the exception of small units with rated power Sr 4.6 kVA, or in the

12.2 Conditions for System Connection

case of photovoltaic generation with rated power Pr 5 kW, which are permitted
for connection in single-phase arrangement. Different generation units are to be
connected to the power system by suitable distribution of the individual units to
the phases L1, L2 and L3 to limit the total unbalance to the limit values mentioned
above. In general the unbalance factor, that is, the ratio of negative-sequence to
positive-sequence component voltages according to Equation 12.13, must remain
below ku 2%.
ku =

2
2
6 (U L1L2
+ U L2L3
+ U L23L1)
2
(U L1L 2 + U L 2L3 + U L 3L1)2

(12.13)

215