PGP controller

TwinCAT Power Plant Control is a TwinCAT module for use as a controller for power generating plants (PGP controller).

The technical connection rules VDE-AR-N 4110, VDE-AR-N 4120 and VDE-AR-N 4130 define the requirements for the grid connection and operation of power generating plants to the medium, high and extra-high voltage grid in Germany. A component certificate in accordance with these standards is mandatory for the use of a PGP controller.

TwinCAT Power Plant Control has been certified by the FGH for use as a PGP controller for selected hardware components (see Certification). The certification procedure is based on measurements, evaluations and the assessment of the controller functions in accordance with the requirements of FGW TR3.

A Beckhoff PGP controller consists of the embedded PC and the grid data acquisition (see Grid data acquisition), as well as the TwinCAT Power Plant Control as the controller kernel in the form of the TwinCAT module TcPowerPlantControl. This module is integrated into a TwinCAT 3 project and provides all the necessary interfaces (see Interfaces) and control functions (see Functions).

Grid data is referred to as Measure and is recorded using suitable measurement technology at the point of common coupling (PCC):

• The interface for grid data acquisition is referred to in the system as Measure and is typically implemented via EtherCAT Terminals.

Setpoints are referred to as Target and are typically received by the controller via two interfaces, which must be implemented on a project-specific basis:

• The telecontrol interface to the grid operator is referred to in the system as Operator. It transmits the active power limitation (fActivePowerLim) and the reactive power setpoint (fReactivePowerSet). Depending on the grid level, the grid operator can be a Distribution System Operator (DSO) or a Transmission System Operator (TSO). This interface is used to regulate the frequency and voltage on the grid side to ensure stable grid operation.
• The interface to the plant operator’s energy management system (EMS) is referred to in the system as Marketer. It transmits the active power setpoint (fActivePowerSet). The connection is made to a higher-level system for marketing or aggregating the feed-in, for example through a direct marketing company, electricity trader or operator. In an international context, this role is also referred to as the Balancing Responsible Party (BRP).

Control values are referred to as Demand and are transmitted from the controller to the power generating plant or its units via a communication interface. This interface must also be implemented on a project-specific basis:

• The interface to the power generating plant (PGP) or its power generating units (PGU) is referred to as Plant in the system. The control values for active power (fActivePowerDmd) and reactive power (fReactivePowerDmd) are transmitted to wind, photovoltaic (PV) or storage systems, or directly to the inverters if necessary.

A model of the controller core (see Model) and an application example are provided to demonstrate the use of the controller in a closed simulation environment.