Green light for your mains connection

Unit certificate

Whether industrial, trade or service companies, public institutions, private individuals or other electricity consumers – stable grids and a trouble-free energy supply are essential for all customer and user groups. The unit certificate creates important prerequisites for this: With it, manufacturers must prove that decentralized generation units (DGU) are grid-compliant, as are important components. The aim is to ensure their safe connection and operation to the medium, high and extra-high voltage grid.

Proof from the manufacturer

Das Einheitenzertifikat bestätigt, dass eine bestimmte elektrische Energieerzeugungseinheit gemäß VDE-AR-N 4110 / VDE–AR-N 4120 ausgelegt und errichtet wurde. Es stellt somit sicher, dass diese Einheit zuverlässig und sicher ans Stromnetzes angeschlossen werden kann.
Durch das Vorhandensein eines gültigen Einheitenzertifikats, das als Grundlage für die Anlagenzertifizierung dient, wird damit vorläufig sichergestellt, dass die Erzeugungsanlage alle erforderlichen Anforderungen erfüllt und somit einen reibungslosen Betrieb ermöglicht. Damit bilden Einheitenzertifikate die Grundlage für die Anlagenzertifizierung.

The certification process

Unit certificates are issued by accredited testing or certification bodies. These organizations have the necessary expertise and accreditation to ensure that decentralized power generation systems comply with the relevant norms and standards.

Accreditation by the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) ensures that the certification meets the applicable quality and reliability standards.

MKH Greenergy Cert: Plant certificates based on unit certificates issued

As a recognized certification body for plant certificates, MKH Greenergy Cert accompanies the certification process through to the issue of proof and supports manufacturers and other parties involved as a reliable and experienced partner. This is accompanied by the efficient compilation of all measurement data and simulations necessary for plant certification. The effort is a one-off: If you are planning a further expansion of your generation plant, the investigations and data form the basis for the installation of additional units of the same type.

What is checked for unit certificates

In general, the following aspects are checked when creating a unit certificate:

  • Grid compatibility: Verification of whether the decentralized power generation system meets the requirements for grid compatibility. This can include aspects such as reactive power control, voltage quality and frequency stability.
  • Protective measures: Verification of the system’s protective measures to ensure that it responds appropriately in the event of faults or malfunctions. This can include protection against over- and undervoltage, overcurrent, short circuits and other hazards.
  • Compliance with limit values: Measurements and tests to ensure that the decentralized power generation system complies with the specified limit values for various parameters, including harmonic distortions, harmonics and efficiency.
  • Electrical safety: Verification of the electrical safety of the system to ensure that it complies with the relevant standards.
  • Documentation: Evaluation of the documentation provided to ensure that all technical specifications, circuit diagrams, test reports and other relevant information are present and correct.
  • EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility): Investigation of whether the system guarantees electromagnetic compatibility and does not have any disruptive effects on other devices or the grid.

It is important to note that the exact tests may vary depending on the type and size of the decentralized power generation system.

VDE-AR-N 4110 / 4120: not only unit certificates are necessary

According to VDE-AR-N 4110 / 4120, not only unit certificates for generation units (DGU) are due for plant certification and subsequent grid connection, but also component certificates. These include, for example, EZA controllers and protective devices that can also influence electrical properties.

Our tip

Ask in the early planning phase whether the manufacturer can present a valid unit certificate or has already applied for one (prototype certificate). This can save valuable time on the way to connecting and commissioning your planned plant.

Your research simplifies the existing FGW database. The Fördergesellschaft Windenergie und andere dezentrale Energien e. V. has listed existing unit and component certificates there.