In parallel with the liberalization of the energy markets, the decentralized generation of electrical power as well as energy storage becomes more and more important. The management of these energy resources near to the consumers offers economic and ecological benefits. They can sometimes provide heating and/or cooling services as well as electricity.
In this context, interest is also directed to non-conventional operation modes such as so-called virtual power plants (VPP) and micro-grids.
A virtual power plant is a collection of decentralized generation and storage units that are monitored, aggregated and controlled by a central entity in view of providing higher efficiency and more flexibility.

Available standards
Layer |
Standard |
Title and comments |
Component |
Photovoltaic (PV) systems - Requirements for testing, documentation and maintenance |
|
Component |
IEC 61000-4-30 |
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-30: Testing and measurement techniques – Power quality measurement methods |
Component |
IEC 61727 |
Photovoltaic (PV) systems – Characteristics of the utility interface |
Component |
IEC TS 62257 series |
Recommendations for renewable energy and hybrid systems for rural electrification |
Component |
IEC 60364 series |
Low-voltage electrical installations |
Component |
IEC 61400 series |
Wind turbines |
Component |
IEC 60364-5-55 |
Electrical installations of buildings – Part 5-55: Selection and erection of electrical equipment – Other equipment NOTE Especially the two following subclauses: – 551.6 Additional requirements for installations where the generating set provides a supply as a switched alternative to the normal supply to the installation – 551.7 Additional requirements for installations where the generating set may operate in parallel with other sources including systems for distribution of electricity to the public |
Component |
IEC TS 62749 |
Assessment of power quality – Characteristics of electricity supplied by public networks |
Component |
IEC 61400-21 |
Wind turbines – Part 21: Measurement and assessment of power quality characteristics of grid connected wind turbines |
Component |
IEC 61400-27-1 |
Wind turbines – Part 27-1: Electrical simulation models – Wind turbines |
Component |
IEC 61000-4-30 |
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-30: Testing and measurement techniques – Power quality measurement methods |
Other specifications |
||
Component |
EN 50438 |
Requirements for micro-generating plants to be connected in parallel with public low-voltage distribution networks NOTE In Europe EN 50438 provides requirements for connection of micro-generators (currently under revision). Draft TS for larger units currently are being prepared by WG3 of Cenelec TC8X, which specifies the generic requirements for connecting DG to the public distribution network. |
Component |
CLC TS 50549-1 |
Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks - Part 1: Connection to a LV distribution network above 16 A |
Component |
CLC TS 50549-2 |
Requirements for generating plants to be connected in parallel with distribution networks - Part 2: Connection to a MV distribution network |
Component |
IEEE Std. 1547.1 a |
Standard for Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems Published in 2005, this standard further describes the testing of the interconnection in order to determine whether or not it conforms to standards. |
Component |
IEEE Std. 1547.2 a |
Application Guide for IEEE 1547 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems This provides a technical background on the standard. |
Component |
IEEE Std. 1547.3 a |
Guide for Monitoring, Information Exchange and Control of Distributed Resources Interconnected with Electric Power Systems Published in 2007, this standard details techniques for monitoring of distributed systems. |
Component |
IEEE Std 1547.4 a |
Guide for Design, Operation, and Integration of Distributed Resource Island Systems with Electric Power Systems |
Component |
IEEE Std 1547.6 a |
Recommended Practice For Interconnecting Distributed Resources With Electric Power Systems Distribution Secondary Networks |
Component |
IEEE Std 1547.7 a |
Guide to Conducting Distribution Impact Studies for Distributed Resource Interconnection |
a In the US, the IEEE 1547 series is a set of standards concerning Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems. Since 2003, three standards in the IEEE 1547 Series have been released by the IEEE and another three are still in the draft phase. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established IEEE 1547 as the national standard for the interconnection of distributed generation resources. An amendment IEEE 1547a was published in 2014. |
Coming standards
Layer |
Standard |
Title and comments |
Component |
IEC 62786 a |
|
Component |
IEC 62898 seriesa |
Microgrids |
Other specifications |
||
Component |
IEEE P1547 |
Draft Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces (full revision of IEEE Std 1547) |
Component |
IEEE P1547.8 |
(draft) Recommended Practice for Establishing Methods and Procedures that Provide Supplemental Support for Implementation Strategies for Expanded Use of IEEE Standard 1547 |
a Under preparation. |