Services
Grid Code Compliance (GCC) Studies
GCC applies whenever your plant (usually Category B and C) operates in parallel with the public grid- whether exporting or running non-export in parallel- on the Transmission System (TS) or Distribution System (DS). That includes Renewable Power Plants (RPPs) such as PV and Wind, Battery Energy Storage Facilities (BESF), hybrid plants (RPP + storage), and synchronising generator plants (diesel/gas gensets) at LV or MV that must meet Distribution/Network Code conditions and any applicable municipal interconnection standards.
What is Grid Code Compliance?
Grid Code Compliance is the formal pathway to prove your plant conforms to the South African Grid Codes and passes witnessed performance testing before/after Commercial Operation Date (COD). The core references are the RPP Grid Connection Code (v3.1) for renewables, the BESF Grid Code for storage, and the overarching Network/System Operation Codes for connection and operations. Verification is executed with RETEC’s RPP Grid Code Compliance Standard Test Guideline, which specifies control behaviours (absolute power limits, delta curtailment, ramp-rate, LFSM-U/O frequency response, reactive/voltage control including Q(U)), test sequences, and raw-data formats; some municipalities may require parallel readiness on SCADA/telemetry and operating procedures.
GCC PROCESS FLOW
1.
Pre-connection studies and modelling
We establish the POC/PUC/PGC architecture, build a DIgSILENT PowerFactory model (RMS – and EMT if required), and run load-flow, short-circuit, protection coordination and stability/capability checks. Outputs are connection-ready SLDs, settings and study reports aligned with the RPP/BESF codes and any municipal interconnection standards (e.g., EEB705 for CoCT). This front-loads risk reduction and aligns design decisions to specific code clauses.
2.
Compliance Matrix with targeted mitigations
We convert code clauses into a plant-specific, auditable matrix, identify gaps (controls, protection, PQ, SCADA), and prescribe practical mitigations – controller tuning, relay stages, intertrips, PQ filters, metering and telemetry – to close each gap ahead of testing.
3.
SCADA and telemetry readiness
We define the point list (P, ΔP, ramp-rates, Q/PF/V, Q(U), statuses/alarms, SOE, time-sync), set protocol profiles, and execute a functionality test proving command → echo → actual at 1-s resolution. Where required (e.g., CoCT ≥ 1 MVA), we align with the operations manual for dispatchability, curtailment, and communications.
4.
Dry-run testing
Before RETEC is scheduled, we rehearse the Standard Test Guideline sequences on the live plant – absolute power caps, delta curtailment, up/down ramps, LFSM-U/O, and Q/PF/V with Q(U) – with 1-s logging of Pavailable, Pset, Pactual, and the prescribed hold times. This pack is submitted to secure the witness window and minimise re-tests.
RETEC-witnessed tests and submissions.
We coordinate operator-issued setpoints where applicable and run the formal test scripts under witness, compile the raw data (CSV/plots – COMTRADE, PDF and drawings if requested), and format the submission for verification to the Grid Code Secretariat.
Post-COD validation and power quality.
We address any conditions of acceptance, confirm ongoing operational obligations (including storage/hybrid forecasting where applicable), and baseline PQ at the POC for harmonics, flicker and unbalance per the codes and municipal planning levels.
How SolaConsult can Help
At SolaConsult, we help RPPs, BESF and hybrid/genset plants achieve full Grid Code compliance to secure energisation and COD on schedule. Our scope spans pre-connection studies and PowerFactory modelling, Compliance Matrix and mitigations, SCADA readiness, RETEC preparation and witnessed testing, post-COD validation and PQ, and RMS/EMT model verification – with clear, auditable deliverables for Categories B (1–20 MVA) and C (≥ 20 MVA).
Why choose SolaConsult
- End-to-end support – SolaConsult delivers GCC as a single, auditable workflow from studies and models to dry-runs, RETEC witness and close-out, shortening schedules and preventing repeat testing.
- Code-first clarity – We work directly against the RPP Grid Code v3.1, BESF Grid Code and Network/System Ops provisions, so every design choice maps to a clause and an acceptance criterion.
- Operator alignment – Our SCADA/telemetry setup and functionality tests match what operators ask for (e.g., EEB1330 requirements for ≥ 1 MVA sites in CoCT).
- Proven testing – We use the RETEC Standard Test Guideline step-for-step, producing data packs that align with the national submission formats and naming conventions.
- Hybrid & storage fluency – We incorporate BESF and hybrid-plant specifics (state-of-charge, charge/discharge limits, additional controls and data/forecasting) into the compliance plan.
- Municipal know-how – We engineer to local interconnection standards like EEB705 where municipalities add requirements on top of the national codes.
Ready to de-risk your GCC?
Share your SLD and NSP/Municipality. We will return a concise proposal covering study scope, SCADA & protection priorities, dry-run scheduling and the exact RETEC submission checklist mapped to the Test Guideline.
Prefer a quick consultation?
Book a 30-minute discovery session – we will review your current status against the RPP/BESF codes, outline the shortest path to witnessed testing, and flag any municipal specifics (e.g., CoCT EEB705/EEB1330) that must be addressed pre-site.
Let’s make your renewable energy aspirations a reality.