NS194B

NS194B: Ausgrid Network Standard, NS194B, Guidelines for Rotating Machines Connected to the Ausgrid Network

This Network Standard outlines the requirements other than control and protection that a rotating machine should fulfil when connecting to the Ausgrid’s network. 

Scope

This document covers issues specific to rotating machine installations. It should be noted that other embedded energy systems, for example photovoltaic systems, are considered separately in NS194A.

This document applies to rotating machine systems connecting to Ausgrid’s low voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) network.

This standard provides guidance on the requirements for connection of medium to large embedded generation installations, defined either as a pure generating installation or as part of a customer’s load installation. Typically, these installations could be wind, gas, biomass or other fuelled rotating generating plant.

Generators of large capacity will often require extensive system studies, with the studies increasing in duration and complexity as generator size, connection voltage and other variables grow.

Customers considering such generation should consult Ausgrid in the early stages of the planning process. The costs associated with required network augmentations at certain locations may severely impact the viability of the generating scheme.

Ausgrid cautions proponents against purchasing any equipment prior to receiving Ausgrid approval, as such equipment may prove unsuitable for connection to the network for the specific installation proposed. 

All generators equal to and above 5 MW must be registered with AEMO. Generators above 30 MW must also meet additional AEMO requirements regarding connection to the network and scheduling of generator output into the NEM.

The application of these requirements to individual embedded generators (EG) will be subject to negotiation on a case-by-case basis due to the number of variables involved in the technical integration of embedded generation and distribution networks.

In addition to the requirements outlined in this document, generators in NSW are expected to comply with the regulations of the NSW Department of Water and Energy, the National Electricity Rules (NER), the Australian Communications Authority and relevant Australian Standards where applicable. Ausgrid’s electricity standards ES1 to ES11 apply to various aspects of the connection works outlined in this standard.

In Australia, embedded generation is generally seen as having different requirements depending on its scale relative to the system to which it is connected. The draft national Code of Practice proposes the following classifications.

Classification of rotating machines

(Note – Size* refers to the total electrical output of the site potentially available at the point of connection)