Nineteenth International Middle East Power Systems Conference (MEPCON), Menoufia University, Egypt, Dec. 19-21, 2017.
Keynote Lecture IV
Grid Code Requirements for Connecting Solar Power
Plants to Electricity Networks in Egypt
Prof. Omar H. Abdalla
Fellow of the Egyptian Society of Engineers (ESE), Life Senior Member IEEE
Helwan University
Cairo, Egypt
Brief Biography:
Professor Omar Hanafy Abdalla (Fellow of the Egyptian Society
of Engineers (ESE), Life Senior Member IEEE) was born in Cairo, Egypt
on 11 May, 1945. He received the Ph. D. degree in electrical
engineering from the University of Liverpool, England, in 1979. Since
B. Sc. graduaƟon in 1967, he has been appointed in various posiƟons
in university teaching and research as follows: Engineer 1967,
Demonstrator 1970, Lecturer 1976, Associate Professor 1983,
Professor 1987, Head of Department of Electrical Power and Machines Engineering 1987, Vice-Dean
for Postgraduate Studies and Research 1997, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering 2002-2005,
Professor Emeritus 2005-now. He has published over 120 papers and appointed as a Reviewer for
many national and international periodicals and conferences: (e.g. Proceedings IET, IEEE
Transactions, PEJ, MEPCON, etc.). He is a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal
of Emerging Electrical Power System, and the Journal of Electrical Systems. He has been a leader of
many research and consulting activities with industry including electrical power systems, economical
lighting, electricity distribution networks, urban village planning, modern control systems, etc. He has
been engaged in many activities with professional and social societies including IEEE, ESE, and others.
As a Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, he has introduced new programs in the faculty departments
and led the promotion of essential administration and students' activities. He has organized,
supervised and participated in conducting training courses for engineers and technicians.
From January 2007 to February 2014, he was on leave from the University of Helwan;
working (System Studies Advisor) with Oman Electricity Transmission Company, Muscat, Sultanate of
Oman. He was involved in various technical activities and leading strategic planning and transmission
system technical studies such as the Transmission Master Plan 2014-2030, Five Year Annual
Transmission System Capability Statements, planning and design of new generation and bulk
industrial load connections, HV and EHV grid-stations, transmission lines of 400 kV, 220 kV and 132
kV levels, network expansions and reinforcements, Pre-Investment Appraisal Techno-Economic
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Nineteenth International Middle East Power Systems Conference (MEPCON), Menoufia University, Egypt, Dec. 19-21, 2017.
Studies for new projects, etc. He was also involved in the technical studies and practical operation of
the interconnection between Oman and UAE.
Prof. Omar Hanafy Abdalla holds over 10 internaƟonal recogniƟons (Who's Who) from
different international organizations and committees. He received the Prize of State in Engineering
Sciences, 1984, the First Class Medal of Sciences and Arts, 1985, and Helwan University Appreciation
Prize in Engineering Sciences and Technology 2006/2007.
E-Mail: ohabdalla@ieee.org
Website: www.works.bepress.com/omar
Summary
A Grid Code is a document that contains a set of rules and procedures to regulate
technical and legal relationship between a transmission system operator (TSO) and users of
the transmission grid. The objective is to establish the obligations and responsibilities of
each party; i.e. the TSO and all grid users such as power generating plants, distribution
utilities and directly connected bulk industrial customers. This will lead to maintain optimal
operation, safety and reliability of the power system. In distribution power grids, a
Distribution Code is similarly applied.
With the increasing penetration levels of renewable energy sources into electric power
grids, utilities have introduced special requirements for the connection of renewable power
plants to the grid. Particular attention is given here to large-scale and medium-scale solar
power plants. Technical requirements of connecting these renewable sources to the grids
(transmission or distribution) should be clearly understandable by all parties to correctly
implement the rules and procedures described in the connection codes.
The objective is to provide the attendees with basic information on the technical
design specifications and criteria, technical terms and equipment parameters appeared in
the solar plants grid connection codes. For example, power quality definitions, measures and
their cause and impact on the system as referred to in the codes will be discussed and
explained. The technical specifications include permitted voltage and frequency variations in
addition to power quality measures such as limits of harmonic distortion, phase unbalance,
and flickers. Solar generating units operational limits, capability requirements, active power
and frequency control, reactive power and AVR, power factor, grid protection, etc. will be
explained and discussed.
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