Combustion engine / CHP

M.O.E. supports its customers in all technological issues relating to the grid connection of combustion engines in order to ensure the safe and grid-compliant operation of the systems. You will find the relevant details and services from M.O.E. for all the topics mentioned on the left.

Services for combustion engines at a glance

• Unit certification of generating units with combustion engines (for manufacturers)
• System certification with combustion engines (for operators and planners)
• EZA declarations of conformity in accordance with FGW TR8 (for operators and planners)
• Individual verification procedure (for operators, planners and manufacturers)
• Protection tests on the generating unit and at the grid connection point (for operators and planners)
• Proof of the System Stability Ordinance (for operators and planners)

Combustion engine system certification

The BDEW Medium Voltage Guideline 2008 obliges operators or planners of a combined heat and power plant (CHP) or biogas plant with a combustion engine to submit a plant certificate to your responsible energy supply company. The certification obligation for combustion engine has been in force since 2014. The system certificate assures you and your grid operator that your system is operated in conformity with the grid and thus guarantees you a permanent grid connection and permanent remuneration. The certificate verifies all requirements from the grid connection guidelines with regard to the electrical properties of your generation system. The system certificate is required in the following cases:

• New construction of a system with an output of 1 MVA or more
• System expansion to a capacity greater than 1 MVA (e.g. due to flexibilization)
• Repowering of a system with an output of 1 MVA or more

Flexibilization of biogas plants

Biogas plants are currently operated in base load mode, i.e. they generally generate electricity continuously at nominal output. On the other hand, electricity consumption in the grid is subject to temporal fluctuations. This is where the so-called flexibility premium comes into play, which rewards operators of combustion engines if they adapt to the consumption in the grid. The following system specifications are required: biogas plants that can react to fluctuating demand in the grid with constant gas production and an increase in the size of the drive unit and generator.

System Stability Ordinance

According to old requirements, existing systems often have to switch off if the grid frequency deviates from 49.5 Hz or more than 50.2 Hz. The possible frequency range of older systems must be extended so that a large number of generation systems are not disconnected from the grid during frequency switch-offs. If your system is affected, your grid operator will contact you. M.O.E. will be happy to help you with any questions regarding the provision of the necessary proof.