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Plant certification

According to the Electrical Engineering Properties Verification Ordinance (NELEV), an installation certificate must be provided in Germany for the grid connection of a decentralized generation plant (DGP), depending on the agreed connection active power. This applies both to new plants and to the expansion or significant technical modifications of existing plants with one or more generation units (GU) at a common grid connection point.

Plant certificates for all decentralized DGPs

As an accredited certification body, MKH Greenergy Cert GmbH issues plant certificates for all types of decentralized DGPs – regardless of the technology used (wind energy, photovoltaics, CHP/CHP, storage systems) or the connected voltage level (medium, high, and extra-high voltage grid).

Guidelines for plant certification

Plant certification is based on the Technical Guideline for Generation Units and Plants, Part 8: “Certification of the electrical properties of generation units and plants, storage facilities and their components on the power grid” (FGW TR8). It confirms compliance with the electrical requirements at the grid connection point in accordance with the requirements of the respective grid operator and the currently valid technical guidelines:

  • VDE-AR-N 4110 – Connection to the medium-voltage grid
  • VDE-AR-N 4120 – Connection to the high-voltage grid
  • VDE-AR-N 4130 – Connection to the extra-high voltage grid

What certification procedures are there for DGPs?

The type of plant certificate required results from the connection active power of the entire DGP agreed with the grid operator at the grid connection point. The following plant certificates are available:

What tests are necessary for DGPs?

The basis for the evaluation of the plant certification is the electrical planning of the DGP in conjunction with the type certificates of the generation units (GU) and components. To enable you, as a customer, to compile all the necessary documents and information for the inspection of the DGP, you will receive a checklist from the certification body in advance. Based on the documents sent, the electrical behavior of the DGP is then calculated using static and dynamic simulations. The results of the evaluation are then presented in a test report. If the evaluation is positive, an installation certificate is issued, which confirms that the applicable technical connection guidelines and conditions are met. This also serves as proof to the grid operator that the DGP has been planned in accordance with the guidelines.

What is the deadline for submission to the grid operator?

As a rule, the plant certificate must be submitted to the grid operator in good time before the DGP is commissioned. You can find out the exact deadline from your local grid operator. Our tip: For a smooth certification process, we recommend that you commission MKH Greenergy Cert GmbH to carry out the plant certification several months before the planned commissioning.

How long are plant certificates valid?

According to FGW TR8, the validity of a plant certificate ends with the issue of the declaration of conformity – no later than twelve months after commissioning of the first GU within the DGP.

We will be happy to answer any further questions you may have about plant certification. Contact us now: buero@ge-cert.de!