National Energy Administration Issues the *Notice on Promoting Grid Connection and Scheduling Application of New Energy Storage*
To energy bureaus of all provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government), development and reform commissions, industry and information technology authorities, and urban management commissions of relevant provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, all dispatched agencies, and relevant central enterprises:
To thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, accelerate the planning and development of a new energy system, and implement relevant requirements set forth in the Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Development of New Energy Storage (Fa Gai Neng Yuan Gui〔2021〕No.1051), the Interim Specifications for the Administration of New Energy Storage Projects (Guo Neng Fa Ke Ji Gui〔2021〕No.47), and the Notice on Further Promoting New Energy Storage to Participate in the Electricity Market and Scheduling Application (Fa Gai Ban Yun Xing〔2022〕No.475), we hereby issue this notice to standardize the administration of grid connection and access for new energy storage, optimize scheduling and operation mechanisms, give full play to the role of new energy storage, and support the development of a new power system. The relevant matters are notified as follows.
I. General Requirements
(I) Accurately grasp the functional positioning of new energy storage
New energy storage refers to energy storage technologies (excluding pumped hydro storage) that mainly output electric power and provide external services. Featuring a short construction cycle, flexible layout and fast response speed, it can perform multiple functions in power system operation including peak shaving, frequency regulation, voltage regulation, spinning reserve, black start and inertial response. It serves as a key supporting technology for building a new power system. With rapid growth in installed capacity, new energy storage is gradually demonstrating its role in facilitating the development and consumption of new energy as well as the safe and stable operation of the power system. In light of its functional positioning and market-oriented requirements, we shall further standardize grid connection management, continuously improve scheduling mechanisms, ensure the rational and efficient utilization of new energy storage, and strongly underpin the development of the new power system.
(II) Define the scope of new energy storage subject to power system scheduling
New energy storage facilities connected to the power grid and with signed scheduling agreements fall into two categories: schedulable new energy storage and plant self-use new energy storage. Schedulable new energy storage refers to facilities equipped with independent metering devices and operated in accordance with market clearing results or instructions from power dispatch authorities, including independent energy storage power stations and new energy-storage collocated facilities eligible for independent operation. Plant self-use new energy storage refers to facilities operated jointly with power generators or end users and controlled by them based on their own needs. It includes non-independently operated new energy collocated storage, thermal power joint frequency-regulation storage, and user-side storage capable of receiving scheduling instructions.
II. Strengthen Management of Grid Connection and Scheduling Operation of New Energy Storage
(III) Standardize grid connection and access management for new energy storage
Power grid enterprises and power dispatch authorities shall formulate detailed grid connection rules and service guidelines for new energy storage, clarifying grid connection procedures, relevant standards and grid-related test requirements. Following the principles of equality, mutual benefit, consensus through consultation and guaranteed safe operation of the power system, power dispatch authorities shall organize grid connection acceptance and sign grid connection and scheduling agreements for new energy storage. New energy storage facilities shall complete all grid-related tests within the prescribed time after grid connection.
(IV) Optimize scheduling modes for new energy storage
Power dispatch authorities shall formulate scheduling and operation codes for new energy storage according to system needs, scientifically determine its operation modes, and dispatch its regulating resources in a fair manner. Active support shall be given to joint scheduling modes such as new energy plus energy storage, aggregated energy storage, and integrated PV-storage-charging systems. Priority shall be given to dispatching pilot and demonstration projects of new energy storage to fully tap the value of various types of energy storage. When dispatching new energy storage: for facilities participating in the power market, operation shall be arranged per market clearing results; for those not yet eligible for market participation, dispatching shall be conducted via scheduling instructions. In the event of accidents/incidents endangering power system safety or other necessary circumstances, all new energy storage under dispatching jurisdiction shall accept unified direct dispatching by power dispatch authorities. During direct dispatching, the price mechanism for charging and discharging of independent energy storage shall apply.
(V) Enhance operation management of new energy storage
When formulating or revising power market rules or the Implementation Rules for the Administration of Power Auxiliary Services and the Implementation Rules for Grid-Connected Power Operation Management, local authorities shall define and refine assessment rules for various types of new energy storage. New energy storage operators shall promptly submit operation information as required by power dispatch authorities, who shall regularly push dispatching data of new energy storage to the national big data platform for new energy storage.
III. Specify Technical Requirements for Grid Connection and Scheduling of New Energy Storage
(VI) Standardize technical requirements for grid connection and access of new energy storage
Grid-connected new energy storage shall meet the requirements for safe and stable operation of the power system and pass corresponding performance tests and grid-related tests. Its equipment shall satisfy national and industrial technical standards and administrative specifications to ensure safe and stable operation. Project owners of new energy storage shall formulate detailed operation and maintenance codes, on-site operating procedures, emergency response plans, emergency management measures and outage maintenance schedules, and submit them to power dispatch authorities for filing on a regular basis.
(VII) Clarify technical requirements for scheduling and operation of new energy storage
New energy storage shall be equipped with power control systems or coordinated control systems. All new energy storage under dispatching jurisdiction shall be capable of automatic regulation of active and reactive power in response to scheduling instructions, connect to AGC, AVC and other systems of the affiliated power dispatch authority, receive and execute scheduling orders, and deploy information security protection measures. The scheduling principles for new energy storage collocated at new energy bases shall comply with the Technical Guideline for Planning New Energy Storage Allocated for Power Transmission from New Energy Bases (NB/T 11194-2023).
(VIII) Encourage technical retrofitting of existing new energy storage
Existing new energy storage facilities are encouraged to undergo technical retrofitting to acquire the capability of receiving scheduling instructions. After meeting relevant technical conditions, power dispatch authorities shall promptly carry out grid connection and scheduling work for such facilities.
(IX) Promote technological innovation in intelligent regulation and control of new energy storage
In response to multi-scenario and market-oriented operation demands of new energy storage, R&D shall be actively carried out on key technologies including coordinated optimal scheduling of new energy storage and other power sources, intelligent dispatching of large-scale energy storage clusters, active grid support technologies based on new energy storage, and aggregation, interaction and control technologies for virtual power plants built on distributed storage such as electric vehicles, so as to advance the application of new technologies.
IV. Strengthen Coordination and Safeguards for Grid Connection and Scheduling of New Energy Storage
(X) Strengthen project management of new energy storage
Provincial energy authorities shall, together with relevant entities, improve the management system for new energy storage projects, and strengthen the administration of planning, record-filing, construction, operation and dispatching of new energy storage within their jurisdictions.
(XI) Deliver quality grid connection services for new energy storage
Power grid enterprises and power dispatch authorities shall provide grid access services to new energy storage in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, offer technical guidance, optimize grid connection procedures, and ensure safe and efficient grid integration of new energy storage.
(XII) Promote dispatching of new energy storage via market-oriented approaches
Taking full account of the characteristics of new energy storage, local authorities shall accelerate the improvement of detailed rules governing new energy storage’s participation in the energy market and auxiliary service markets, enrich trading varieties, and adopt flexible and effective market instruments in consideration of supporting policies and power supply-demand conditions. This will enable “multi-purpose and time-sharing utilization” of new energy storage and further diversify its market-oriented business models.
(XIII) Strengthen supervision over grid connection and scheduling of new energy storage
Dispatching agencies of the National Energy Administration and provincial energy authorities shall supervise and administer grid connection and scheduling operation of new energy storage in accordance with their respective duties. A sound coordination mechanism shall be established for the management of grid connection and scheduling operation to mediate relevant disputes. Major problems identified in the work shall be reported to the National Energy Administration in a timely manner.
This Notice shall take effect upon issuance and remain valid for five years.