Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme

[Kryten]

I've had a letter from Western Power about the above, about generation owners being required to change their 'Loss of Mains protection' and the fact I may be eligible for funding to make statutory changes.

Does anyone know what this means to me and my 40kv solar array?

 

[Exfarmer]

I've had a letter from Western Power about the above, about generation owners being required to change their 'Loss of Mains protection' and the fact I may be eligible for funding to make statutory changes.

Does anyone know what this means to me and my 40kv solar array?

It probably does not affect you it is mainly those over 50Kw who have a separate G59 relay to cut the power in the event of power loss. At the beginning of the programme every single array was included., but common sense prevailed, big problem now is that all the arguing has pushed the programme back and it has to be done I. The next 18 months

 

[sjt01]

It probably does not affect you it is mainly those over 50Kw who have a separate G59 relay to cut the power in the event of power loss. At the beginning of the programme every single array was included., but common sense prevailed, big problem now is that all the arguing has pushed the programme back and it has to be done I. The next 18 months

If the funding is still as it was a few months ago, it more than covered the cost of our G59 relay change and certification, so apart from an hour or so without generation, it was a profitable exercise

 

[Kryten]

I wasn't aware I had a G59 relay - perhaps I'll have to bite the bullet and call Western Power
Thanks for the replies

 

[Exfarmer]

I wasn't aware I had a G59 relay - perhaps I'll have to bite the bullet and call Western Power
Thanks for the replies

It's not Western power you should call, it should be shown on the schematic they should have given you after installation, or call the guys who installed it.

 

[matthew]

In the letter, from WPD, they tell you to contact your installer, or look on their website for their preferred contractors.
I'm still waiting - as is the OP - for someone with a sub 50 KW solar system, to have done this, to save me doing it. And answer the question.
If it's necessary, we have until August 2022 to complete the work, and claim grant aid. If there's any leaves left on that gov.uk money tree by then.

 

[Exfarmer]

Before you do anything you need approval. I do not believe any system under 50 has a G59 relay as they came under different legislation

 

[rusty]

I've had a letter from Western Power about the above, about generation owners being required to change their 'Loss of Mains protection' and the fact I may be eligible for funding to make statutory changes.

Does anyone know what this means to me and my 40kv solar array?

I've had the same letter today from Western power about my 50(49.5)kw solar PV system. Glad you have asked the question as it's saved me doing the same.

 

[Kryten]

I called one of the contractors on the list who called in to look at my system and he isn't sure what it means for me either. I don't have a G29 and he doesn't think he can change the settings on my inverters either. He is going to talk to his contact at WPD.

 

[farmerste]

It probably does not affect you it is mainly those over 50Kw who have a separate G59 relay to cut the power in the event of power loss. At the beginning of the programme every single array was included., but common sense prevailed, big problem now is that all the arguing has pushed the programme back and it has to be done I. The next 18 months

received an email today from electricity north west regarding the accelerated loss of mains change programme and it says it covers everyone from 10 Kw upwards
Copied from the email ;
The criteria for those generators required to upgrade their systems encompasses every form of generation connected to the grid that has a capacity of between approximately 10kW – equivalent to a medium sized, non-domestic, rooftop solar array – and up to 50MW – equivalent to large scale commercial generation. Many types of generators need to comply from farmers with turbines to schools with rooftop solar.
so unsure if my 30Kv solar needs to be done or not

 

[Exfarmer]

received an email today from electricity north west regarding the accelerated loss of mains change programme and it says it covers everyone from 10 Kw upwards
Copied from the email ;
The criteria for those generators required to upgrade their systems encompasses every form of generation connected to the grid that has a capacity of between approximately 10kW – equivalent to a medium sized, non-domestic, rooftop solar array – and up to 50MW – equivalent to large scale commercial generation. Many types of generators need to comply from farmers with turbines to schools with rooftop solar.
so unsure if my 30Kv solar needs to be done or not

That was my understanding the position at the begining, ( the programme has been running well over 2 years) but I understood they backed off changing the inverters and were only going to change the G 59 relays. This was partly because some of the inverter manufacturers refused to participate in the programme. Also the sheer scaleof the operation. However I am most certainly not qualified to say that you should not be checking as to the necessity or not. Just be aware that anyone suggesting work needs doing, must have the go ahead from the LOM programme. Any work not pre approved will not qualify for the grant. To claim the grant you will have to demonstrate that the electrician has been paid.

 

[matthew]

received an email today from electricity north west regarding the accelerated loss of mains change programme and it says it covers everyone from 10 Kw upwards
Copied from the email ;
The criteria for those generators required to upgrade their systems encompasses every form of generation connected to the grid that has a capacity of between approximately 10kW – equivalent to a medium sized, non-domestic, rooftop solar array – and up to 50MW – equivalent to large scale commercial generation. Many types of generators need to comply from farmers with turbines to schools with rooftop solar.
so unsure if my 30Kv solar needs to be done or not

From that quote, I would say everything over 10KW that exports to the grid (non domestic),
I haven't phoned our installer yet. When I do, I'll report back.

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

I don't know if this is any help to anyone, but as our installer has gone the way of all things, I contacted the inverter manufacturer and got the following note.


Dear Rod further to receipt fo your earlier e-mail regarding ALOM and Fronius inverters we confirm the following.
Attached is ENA document from March 2020 which gives a summary of information received regarding ALoMCP and inverter manufacturers.
As can be seen it states that Fronius inverters do not use RoCoF or VS loss of mains. ALoMCP believes there is no adjustment to make on Fronius inverters.
Should you require any further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us again at [email protected] or 01908 512 316.
Please quote the CAS number in any communications to help us deal with your enquiry more quickly - thank you.
Best Regards

 

[newholland]

I contacted our approved contractor and they said they had just done a 40kw system, so it seems some small farm systems are certainly being done.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

bummer.

ive Got 2 x 49’s on different MPAN’s

more paper work

 

[newholland]

From what I understand so far ...... on the 50kw and less systems - if you don't actually have a G59 relay to change, then your inverter internal cut out relay settings must be altered by an approved contractor to meet the new standards. If they can't alter your inverter settings, then the inverter internal relay must be disabled and a new G59 relay fitted instead as a standalone item. This is what the small print says for the 4k grant. Anybody have any thoughts or know more, because it is highly confusing.

 

[Exfarmer]

From what I understand so far ...... on the 50kw and less systems - if you don't actually have a G59 relay to change, then your inverter internal cut out relay settings must be altered by an approved contractor to meet the new standards. If they can't alter your inverter settings, then the inverter internal relay must be disabled and a new G59 relay fitted instead as a standalone item. This is what the small print says for the 4k grant. Anybody have any thoughts or know more, because it is highly confusing.

I understand that they have now virtually excluded all non G59 relay systems, as the reality is there are millions of small inverters would require , replacement.
If your electrician decides you need such work done when there is no G59 relay, ensure he has DNO approval before he starts work. The grant is paid to the owner of the apparatus only after proof of payment of the contractor. If there was no preapproval there will be no grant, which is now I believe £1400

 

[newholland]

So why are they writing to the millions of small system owners?

 

[Exfarmer]

So why are they writing to the millions of small system owners?

I have no idea, I think they have just written to everyone who is a generator, except me

 

[Doing it for the kids]

I have no idea, I think they have just written to everyone who is a generator, except me

or me, we have two sites one with EON one with SSE so who knows