Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme

Kryten

Member
Location
South Derbyshire
I've now spoken to the SMA technical team and they have confirmed that my inverters don't have a G59 and don't need one as they use different technology and there is no need to adjust them. I have also spoken to Western Power and they have acknowledged that my system is compliant and I have an email from them saying that. Job Done!
 
Hi All. I run the ALoMCP for WindCare - we are a recognised contractor with all the DNOs and have completed these upgrade works on over 300 sites across the country and across plenty of different technologies - wind, solar, AD/CHP, biogas, Battery etc

It certainly can be a confusing subject. But the most common plant is outlined below. Each site can be specific and needs to be discussed with a contractor that knows the detailed ins and outs of this program. You can do this yourself (and people have), but there can be a lot of confusing detail - not to mention DNO differences as well! Us contractors are paid directly by your local DNO, so the woks do not cost you anything. Irrespective of who does the application works, please do not do the physical works yourself - this must be done and tested by a trained tester. This is a key safety device

The grants are available until 9th February 2021 - although this window may close early if the grant money runs out. Enforcement for none-compliant sites won't come in until 2022, but the grant funding will not be available this long.

Solar - typically you only need to upgrade your system if you have a separate G59 relay. This relay generally starts being installed above 50kw (although we have had several sites around 25kw that have relays and need upgrading), but definitely installed over 200kw. If you only have inverters, in 99% of the cases you don't need to upgrade as they don't use Vector Shift or RoCoF for their Loss of Mains Protection like seperate relays do. Worth checking you aren't that 1% though!

Wind - almost all wind above 12kw have a G59 relay and therefore need upgrading. This will typically be a Loss of Mains Disablement where we turn off the Vector Shift until you get to BIG wind (DFIG turbines starting >1MW) where things can get more complicated. Some sites (like Enercons) have relays in them which can be set to compliant RoCoF, but most wind turbines will have old relays which cannot have compliant RoCoFs set in them - i can go into why if anyone is interested.

AD, CHP, Biogas etc - every installation above 12kw will have a G59 relay. As they are synchronous plant (solar and wind are asynchronous), they are worse offenders on the grid. They all need an upgrade doing, and in most cases this will be a relay change.

If you would simply like to discuss your site for some advice, or would like WindCare to complete the application works and on site works, then please get in touch.

Colin Lockwood
[email protected]
01751 472595
https://www.nationalgrideso.com/news/accelerated-loss-mains-change-programme-windcare-case-study
 

texelburger

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Herefordshire
Hi,
We have received information from Western Power to say our SMA inverter is compliant. We have two AEI inverters and Western Power have told me we need to contact them and ask for a firmware update that would disable the ROCOF and Vector Shift.I assume this wouldn't affect any performance.
Is this something we could do ourselves or is it best to leave it to an approved contractor ? Is there someone who could be recommended and is the grant straightforward for them to claim ?
I'm afraid I don't really understand it so any advice would be most welcome.Thanks.
 

Exfarmer

Member
Location
Bury St Edmunds
Hi,
We have received information from Western Power to say our SMA inverter is compliant. We have two AEI inverters and Western Power have told me we need to contact them and ask for a firmware update that would disable the ROCOF and Vector Shift.I assume this wouldn't affect any performance.
Is this something we could do ourselves or is it best to leave it to an approved contractor ? Is there someone who could be recommended and is the grant straightforward for them to claim ?
I'm afraid I don't really understand it so any advice would be most welcome.Thanks.
I think you will need an approved contractor if you want to claim the grant, there is a list somewhere google Accelerated loss of mains programme
 
Were hoping so... nothing in the site layout diagram. Installation in 2015...

Hi
I will be able to help you if you require. I can run you through why you will or won’t need to complete any upgrade works and how we can work this out.

WindCare is a recognised contractor with all the DNOs to complete these works and have completed hundreds across the country - with no cost to yourself.

If this is of interest, either email me your contact number or give me a call next week
[email protected]
07891938955
 

farmerfred86

Member
BASIS
Location
Suffolk
I was told today that a G59 is now called a G99.
We also found G59 settings on our circuit diagram - a good indicator that we might have one. BUT is this sufficient for ALOM?
 
I was told today that a G59 is now called a G99.
We also found G59 settings on our circuit diagram - a good indicator that we might have one. BUT is this sufficient for ALOM?
Hi Farmerfred
Yes and no really. G59 has now changed to G99 for brand new connections. This upgrade program is a G59 upgrade program so your solar site will become G59/3-7 compliant rather than G99 compliant. This is generally recommended as a site is not G99 compliant simply by changing the G59 relay, it would need changes to your inverters etc too which isn’t funded and clearly not required.

If you give me a call I can help you and explain the program to you, where to find the information you need (typically the info on the electrical line diagram is a good start but most likely won’t be enough) and what you need to do next. It’s easier to talk through as can get a bit complicated in writing. If you want us to submit the application and complete the works that’s great (and it won’t cost you anything), but if you want to do it yourself after talking about it that’s fine as well.

Colin Lockwood
01751 472595
 

The Son

Member
Location
Herefordshire
looking for soma advice on claiming the grant. I had my G59 done last year, I just assumed the Contractor charged the DNO, and I didn't get involved. I have now been contacted by Western Power requesting and invoice from myself for the amount.
The amount I have been invoiced from the contractor is a little below the £4,000, am I allowed to claim the £4k as a total amount, or does it have to match the contractors invoice?
 
Simply, yes

Not so simple.
Our installer did all the correspondence and this included a blizzard of paperwork and photos of the inverters.
Notwithstanding that WPD had all this info when they connected the array.

The final letter confirmed that installation was compliant. And that was followed by an invoice from the installer for his not inconsiderable time in completing (again) all the guff WPD already had.

And the grant only covered new relays, which we didn’t need and not numerous forms and photos which were requested. And which WPD already had details of.
 
looking for soma advice on claiming the grant. I had my G59 done last year, I just assumed the Contractor charged the DNO, and I didn't get involved. I have now been contacted by Western Power requesting and invoice from myself for the amount.
The amount I have been invoiced from the contractor is a little below the £4,000, am I allowed to claim the £4k as a total amount, or does it have to match the contractors invoice?
Put simply, "Yes". If you applied for a £4k grant which has been approved, and the works the contractor completed match the application (i.e. they did actually change the relay, not just update the settings in the old one) it is irrelevant what the contractor charged you, you still invoice the £4k +VAT to WPD.

If you haven't already you will need to submit all the paperwork and photos to WPD, and update the online portal with the new settings.

Thanks
Colin Lockwood
WindCare Ltd
01751 472595 - give me a ring if not clear
 

Fogg

Member
Livestock Farmer
Just mentioning this here as it may save someone some hassle... Someone mentioned in another thread that most SMA inverters are already compliant, and letting my DNO (UKPN) know that mine are ones that don't need new relays was enough to get me signed off with no bother or expensive consultants. Check your inverter manufacturer's website first.
 

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The Son

Member
Location
Herefordshire
Put simply, "Yes". If you applied for a £4k grant which has been approved, and the works the contractor completed match the application (i.e. they did actually change the relay, not just update the settings in the old one) it is irrelevant what the contractor charged you, you still invoice the £4k +VAT to WPD.

If you haven't already you will need to submit all the paperwork and photos to WPD, and update the online portal with the new settings.

Thanks
Colin Lockwood
WindCare Ltd
01751 472595 - give me a ring if not clear

Many thanks for your help
 

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