Proposal for Enhancing Network Security Capabilities of New Energy and Grid-Connected Entities in Henan Open for Public Feedback

On May 19, the Henan Regulatory Office of the National Energy Administration issued a notice seeking public feedback on the draft of the Henan New Energy and New Grid-connected Entities Network Security Capability Enhancement Work Plan. The document outlines the requirement for compliance in signing grid operation scheduling agreements. Power dispatch agencies are to develop differentiated grid scheduling agreement templates and documentation lists based on the classification of grid-connected entities. After submitting an application, grid-connected entities must finalize their agreements under the organization of the grid company, with the dispatch agency responsible for archiving. Entities that have connected to the grid but have not signed the scheduling agreement must complete this signing process. When entering into scheduling agreements with virtual power plants, the dispatch agency may classify aggregatable adjustable resources into one or more virtual power plant units based on the physical electrical divisions of the grid. Power sources connected within a virtual power plant must adhere to network security management requirements, and the overall operational management of the virtual power plant must comply with the established standards, excluding specific network parameters and performance management.

The Henan Regulatory Office and the Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission have drafted the work plan in response to the requirements outlined in the National Energy Administration’s notice regarding the enhancement of network security capabilities for new energy and new grid-connected entities. This draft is now open for public consultation until June 20, 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to provide feedback via fax at 0371-65836661 or email at hndjbaqc@163.com. Thank you for your participation and support!

1. Overall Objective

The goal is to implement the work requirements and the spirit of the document from the National Energy Administration regarding the enhancement of network security capabilities for new energy and new grid-connected entities. This initiative aims to complete the network security rectifications for new energy and new entities, enhance their network security and monitoring capabilities, and improve the management mechanisms for network security within the new power system. The objective is to facilitate the collaborative high-quality development of generation, grid, load, and storage, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power system. The overall goal is to complete the security rectifications and enhancements for existing entities by the end of 2027.

2. Scope of Work

The grid-connected entities included in the enhancement scope consist of centralized renewable energy, distributed renewable energy, new energy storage, virtual power plants, and microgrids, specifically:

• Centralized Renewable Energy: Centralized wind farms and solar power plants in Henan (including associated storage devices).
• Distributed Renewable Energy: Distributed solar and wind energy connected at voltage levels of 10kV and above, managed by local control centers; non-residential distributed solar connected at 380/220V.
• New Energy Storage: Independent storage stations dispatched by Henan’s power dispatch agency, including electrochemical and compressed air storage.
• Virtual Power Plants: An operational organization model that aggregates distributed power sources, adjustable loads, and various decentralized resources using advanced technologies.
• Microgrids: Small power systems primarily powered by renewable energy, capable of smart adjustment and self-balancing, operating in conjunction with the larger grid.

Network equipment includes, but is not limited to, automatic voltage control (AVC), automatic generation control (AGC), static VAR compensators (SVC), static synchronous generators (SVG), and other reactive power compensation devices, as well as active and reactive control systems, protection devices, phasor measurement units (PMUs), and other equipment related to network security. Network testing involves, but is not limited to, power quality testing, active power control capability testing, reactive/voltage control capability testing, reactive compensation device grid performance testing, inertia response and primary frequency response testing, site modeling and validation, fault ride-through capability simulation, voltage frequency adaptability verification, and other tests to ensure the safety of the power system.

3. Key Tasks

(a) Strengthening Network Parameter Management

The power dispatch agency will enhance the unified management of network parameters for grid-connected entities, reviewing the documentation of existing parameters and urging entities lacking parameters to submit complete information promptly. Control logic and parameters related to network security equipment must not be adjusted without authorization, and upgrades or modifications to key technical parameters must be thoroughly evaluated and approved by the dispatch agency before implementation. New entities applying for grid connection must submit network parameter documentation as required by the dispatch agency.

(b) Strict Implementation of Grid Connection Acceptance

Grid-connected entities must ensure that their primary and secondary equipment and various systems meet the requirements outlined in the Power System Safety and Stability Guidelines (GB 38755), Power System Coordination Technical Guidelines (GB/T 40594), and related national and industry standards. Prior to connecting to the grid, they must organize acceptance tests to verify the configuration, parameters, performance, and information collection capabilities of their network equipment. Entities must provide test reports from accredited third-party institutions, with participation from the dispatch agency during acceptance tests. No entity may connect to the grid without passing acceptance tests.

(c) Compliance in Signing Grid Scheduling Agreements

The dispatch agency will prepare differentiated templates for grid scheduling agreements based on the classification of grid-connected entities, along with necessary documentation lists. Once an entity applies, the agreement must be signed under the coordination of the grid company, and the dispatch agency will archive the agreements. Existing entities that have not signed their agreements must complete this process. When signing agreements with virtual power plants, the dispatch agency may classify aggregatable adjustable resources into distinct virtual power plant units based on the physical electrical divisions of the grid.

(d) Enhancing Monitoring and Control Capabilities

Grid-connected entities must comply with national and industry standards to meet the technical requirements for real-time grid control and electricity market operations. Distributed renewable energy systems must provide real-time data collection, on/off grid control, and flexible power adjustment, with real-time uploads of operational information, including but not limited to active power, reactive power, voltage, current, and significant protection signals. Information must be collected at minute intervals and integrated into the dispatch system, adhering to the communication methods and protocols required by the dispatch agency.

(e) Strengthening Modeling and Parameter Measurement Management

The dispatch agency will conduct electromechanical transient simulations and electromagnetic transient simulations for grid-connected entities like renewable energy stations. Entities must provide relevant electromagnetic and electromechanical transient models and measurements before connecting to the grid. If entities are not covered by network security management, equipment manufacturers may provide the necessary information.

(f) Implementing Re-testing Requirements for Network Parameters

The dispatch agency will establish a detailed management mechanism for network parameters of grid-connected entities throughout their lifecycle to ensure the accuracy of system stability calculations. Parameters such as AGC, AVC, SVG, and primary frequency response must undergo periodic re-testing, with intervals not exceeding five years, conducted by accredited third-party institutions.

(g) Establishing a Network Performance Verification Mechanism

The dispatch agency will organize technical supervision of network performance, evaluating the network parameters, secondary systems, and monitoring systems of various grid-connected entities to ensure compliance with national standards and the operational safety of the power system. Non-compliant entities will be promptly required to rectify issues.

(h) Strengthening Network Security and Communication Management

Grid-connected entities must adhere strictly to network security laws, national standards, and industry requirements, optimizing their network security defense systems. Entities utilizing cloud platforms for monitoring must install appropriate network security monitoring and isolation devices, reporting to the dispatch agency. The network security of virtual power plant support systems must comply with the Power Monitoring System Security Regulations.

(i) Enhancing Professional Training for Grid-connected Entities

The dispatch agency will develop training programs tailored to the characteristics of various grid-connected entities, utilizing both online and offline methods to cover key topics such as grid coordination, power balance, and system stability. The goal is to ensure all relevant personnel understand network security and possess the necessary technical knowledge.

4. Work Advancement Requirements

For existing projects connected to the grid, the enhancement of network security capabilities must progress steadily and orderly. Concentrated renewable energy stations must complete self-inspections and reports by the end of 2025, submitting upgrade plans for review by mid-2026 and completing rectifications by the end of 2026. The security capability enhancements for existing distributed renewable energy systems at voltage levels of 10kV and above must be completed by the end of 2027. Non-residential distributed solar at 380/220V must also aim to finish enhancements by the end of 2027. After rectification, existing projects should meet the same network security capabilities as new projects, adhering to the latest national and industry standards. Entities failing to complete necessary upgrades on time will be subject to assessments or penalties from the grid companies. Local power safety regulatory departments must enforce their responsibilities, guiding their affiliated dispatch agencies and new grid-connected entities in managing network security and capability improvements. All levels of dispatch agencies are required to monitor the progress of network performance upgrades and report quarterly updates to the local regulatory departments and the Henan Regulatory Office.

Attachments: Relevant Implementation Standards