Grid Connection for PV, BESS, and Wind
We support you with the grid connection of PV, BESS, and wind projects – from the initial application to the grid operator, through grid connection planning, to quality assurance for the construction of substations and transfer stations.
This ensures that grid operator requirements are understood early, decisions are transparent, and interfaces are properly prepared.
Grid Connection & Integration
We ensure that your PV system, battery storage (BESS), or wind power plant (WPP) is optimally integrated into the power grid – from the initial non-binding grid connection application, grid connection design, support with the procurement of transformers, substations, and calbles to quality assurance during the construction of the grid connection.
We identify potential grid connection points, submit non-binding grid connection applications, and undertake – in accordance with all grid operator specifications – the appropriate grid connection design with a comprehensible design for connection to medium or high voltage. We review existing grid connections for optimisation potential, evaluate flexible grid connection agreements (FCA) for your project if necessary, and support you in negotiations with the grid operator.
Our work helps you avoid surprises when connecting to the power grid, allows for realistic project cost calculation, and lays the foundation for stable and reliable operation of your system.
Grid Connection & Integration by Technology
PV
Preliminary or detailed / electrical grid connection design “from the inverter to the grid connection point” – including single-line diagram (SLD) and metering concept
BESS
Preliminary or detaild / electrical grid connection design”from the inverter to the grid connection point” – including single-line diagram (SLD) and metering concept
Wind
Non-binding grid registration for wind power plants (WPP) including documentation package and submission
Preliminary or detailed electrical grid connection design from the turbine termination point to the grid connection point – including single-line diagram (SLD) and metering concept.
When grid connection services from greentech are the right solution for your project
If you need early guidance on connection options.
If you want to structure communication with the grid operator.
If you require reliable preliminary design for the grid connection.
From “connection generally possible” a technical concept should emerge – e.g., as a basis for project calculation and subsequent planning decisions. The preliminary design clarifies key aspects (connection variant/voltage level, central components, interfaces) and aligns them with grid operator specifications before you proceed to detailed planning.
If there are restrictions at the grid connection point (power, reactive power, feed-in requirements).
If you want to specifically examine grid connection optimisation before planning "too far ahead."
If you need a professional sparring partner for grid topics and communication with the grid operator.
If your project changes – and grid integration needs to be properly adjusted.
If you want to reduce planning risks before proceeding to detailed design.
If you want to evaluate flexibility as an option (e.g., FCA) and realistically assess opportunities.
Substation engineering – if grid connection is only possible via a dedicated substation
If grid connection can only be realized through the construction of a dedicated substation, the substation becomes the central point of technical design and implementation.
With our implementation package for substations, we bundle the relevant engineering services into a continuous service chain – from preliminary design, through permitting design & documentation, to the detaild electrical design of the connected system(s) (PV, wind, and/or BESS) as a technical basis for substation design and interfaces. We consider SCADA and control requirements from the outset – including implementation via the “greenCORE” power plant controller. Building on this, we prepare the tender documents for the substation and transformer, support contract negotiations, and accompany the implementation on site until acceptance.
This provides you with a consistent technical basis, clear interfaces, and documents that can be directly used for project implementation – without discontinuities between grid requirements, design, procurement, and commissioning.
Further information on our services for the planning and construction of substations can be found here:
Site and Route Analysis
Design Planning & Yield Simulation
Technical EPC Tender
Building Permit Documents
AC Electrical Planning of Systems to be Integrated
SCADA & IT Planning and Implementation
Construction and Acceptance Support
What distinguishes our grid connection services?
Holistic grid perspective
We view grid connection, system design, and regulatory requirements as an integrated system. This allows you to identify technical interdependencies early and make informed decisions for your project.
Early planning assurance
Economic reality check
As part of our grid connection design, we evaluate not only technical feasibility but also the economic implications of various connection options. This provides you with a reliable basis for the costs, efficiency, and long-term economic viability of your PV, wind, or storage project.
Overview of our services
Our services bundle the central steps necessary to technically connect a PV, wind, or storage system to the power grid – from initial orientation in the early project phase to a reliable basis for further planning. We handle structured communication with the grid operator and prepare the necessary documents so that you can make informed decisions. Our services can be commissioned individually – depending on your project phase and existing results.
Non-binding grid connection application
The preparation of the non-binding grid connection application (grid registration) ensures that your project is correctly addressed to the responsible grid operator early on and that you receive reliable initial feedback on the next steps. Upon request, we can also provide further technical support – including tracking the grid application process and coordinating with the grid operator.
- Identification of responsible grid operators
- Compilation and preparation of required documents
- Completion of grid operator-specific forms
- Submission of grid registration
- Feedback
Grid connection design
Both preliminary and detailed electrical design of the grid connection are elementary components of project planning. Based on your designed photovoltaic, wind power, or battery system and the grid operator’s specifications, we select the correct grid connection components, including route cables, transformers, as well as metering, protection, and control technology, and perform load flow and short-circuit current calculations.
The preliminary design defines the grid connection concept and key parameters; the detailed design (AC electrical design) elaborates these contents to the level of detail required for construction and procurement. The core components remain the same but are finalized and prepared for implementation in the detailed design.
Grid connection optimisation
Grid connection optimisation starts where a grid connection point is generally feasible, but the boundary conditions are not yet “ideal” – e.g., due to limited connection capacity, requirements for feed-in/reactive power, or technical and economic trade-offs in the AC connection. We analyze the existing initial situation (project assumptions, grid operator feedback, planned mode of operation), derive concrete optimisation levers, and evaluate variants to provide you with a comprehensible decision-making basis for further action. The goal is to classify grid restrictions early, avoid unnecessary planning detours, and establish robust grid integration early on. Optionally, consultation on flexible grid connection agreements (FCA) may be useful if flexibility is a realistic lever for project development.
- Analysis of grid boundary conditions and grid operator feedback (e.g., connection capacity, voltage level, specifications)
- Identification and evaluation of optimization options at the grid connection point (technical and economic)
- Comparison of variants including impacts on concept, cost/risk assumptions, and further planning steps
- Recommendation for a reliable approach (incl. coordination and decision points)
- Optional: FCA consultation as a next step (classification of opportunities, prerequisites, and implications)
Components of Grid Connection Planning
- Creation of a single-line diagram (SLD)
- Calculation of active power losses
- Reactive power calculation
- Creation of metering concepts
The single-line diagram (SLD) is not only a central component for system certification but also serves as a basis for tendering system components or as a source for fault analyses during later operation. It provides information on the installed generation units, the design of high- or medium-voltage transformers, cable lengths and types, inverter data, or protection and control devices. As part of grid connection planning, we map the planned system design in DIgSILENT PowerFactory software and determine the required designs of the individual system components. We also review and advise on existing single-line diagrams as Owners Engineer.
Creation of a single-line diagram (SLD)
Often, the energy transmission losses of the system, for example from the inverters to the grid connection point, are only estimated broadly during project development. This can lead to discrepancies between the planned and actually produced electricity later on, which in turn can affect the economic viability of the system. We calculate active power losses both system-specific and project-specific, and as part of grid connection planning, we ensure that transmission losses are accurately represented while economically designing components.
Calculation of active power losses
As a complex topic with many unknowns, greentech’s grid connection engineers shed light on the reactive power complexities of your photovoltaic system. They consider the individual requirements of the grid operator and make the concrete net feed-in capacity of the system transparent. This allows necessary changes to the system design, such as determining the number of inverters required for the demanded reactive power, to be made during the development phase to meet the grid operator’s later reactive power requirements. This ensures your system project remains economically realistic. Surprises from feed-in limitations during system certification are avoided.
Reactive power calculation
Photovoltaic systems must be “thought of” over a period of several decades. While there were hardly any systems outside of EEG remuneration in the past, projects today can successfully produce electricity economically even without state tariff guarantees, for example through power purchase agreements (PPAs). Hybrid models are also in operation today, where the respective amounts of electricity produced must be precisely verified. For systems increasingly planned as co-location with connected storage, precise measurement of the incoming and outgoing electricity quantities is also relevant. Therefore, a future-oriented metering concept for the system should be considered from the outset. As part of grid connection planning, we create an individual metering concept for you, avoiding cumbersome retrofitting measures later on.
Creation of metering concepts
Creation of a single-line diagram
The single-line diagram (SLD) is not only a central component for system certification but also serves as a basis for tendering system components or as a source for fault analyses during later operation. It provides information on the installed generation units, the design of high- or medium-voltage transformers, cable lengths and types, inverter data, or protection and control devices. As part of grid connection planning, we map the planned system design in DIgSILENT PowerFactory software and determine the required designs of the individual system components. We also review and advise on existing single-line diagrams as Owners Engineer.
Calculation of active power losses
Often, the energy transmission losses of the system, for example from the inverters to the grid connection point, are only estimated broadly during project development. This can lead to discrepancies between the planned and actually produced electricity later on, which in turn can affect the economic viability of the system. We calculate active power losses both system-specific and project-specific, and as part of grid connection planning, we ensure that transmission losses are accurately represented while economically designing components.
Reactive power calculation
As a complex topic with many unknowns, greentech’s grid connection engineers shed light on the reactive power complexities of your photovoltaic system. They consider the individual requirements of the grid operator and make the concrete net feed-in capacity of the system transparent. This allows necessary changes to the system design, such as determining the number of inverters required for the demanded reactive power, to be made during the development phase to meet the grid operator’s later reactive power requirements. This ensures your system project remains economically realistic. Surprises from feed-in limitations during system certification are avoided.
Creation of metering concepts
Photovoltaic systems must be “thought of” over a period of several decades. While there were hardly any systems outside of EEG remuneration in the past, projects today can successfully produce electricity economically even without state tariff guarantees, for example through power purchase agreements (PPAs). Hybrid models are also in operation today, where the respective amounts of electricity produced must be precisely verified. For systems increasingly planned as co-location with connected storage, precise measurement of the incoming and outgoing electricity quantities is also relevant. Therefore, a future-oriented metering concept for the system should be considered from the outset. As part of grid connection planning, we create an individual metering concept for you, avoiding cumbersome retrofitting measures later on.
FAQ: Grid Connection & Integration
Frequently Asked Questions about greentech’s grid connection services
What does grid connection design at greentech include?
We support you through the central steps to properly connect PV, wind, or BESS projects to the power grid: from grid registration and technical classification of grid requirements to grid connection design and optimization. The goal is to make grid operator specifications comprehensible early on and to prepare them as a reliable basis for your next project decisions.
What does the creation of a non-binding grid registration (grid connection application) entail?
When is a non-binding grid connection application useful?
When do I need preliminary design for the grid connection?
As soon as “connection generally possible” needs to become a reliable basis for project calculation, further planning, and technical decisions. Preliminary design helps to verify central assumptions early and avoid later re-planning when grid operator requirements become concrete.
What does grid connection optimisation mean in practice?
Does greentech support communication with the grid operator?
What are the core components of grid connection design?
Grid connection design at greentech comprises four central components:
- Creation of a single-line diagram (SLD)
- Calculation of active power losses
- Reactive power calculation
- Creation of metering concepts
How does greentech consider grid connection design for PV, wind, and BESS in co-location projects?
Does greentech have to implement the grid connection design?
No, we provide a well-founded concept and all necessary plans and calculations. These can be directly used by an EPC or project partner for electrical design according to grid code – or we can gladly carry them out for you.
When is flexibility (e.g., FCA) a sensible next step?
When do I need a dedicated substation – and how does greentech help?
A dedicated substation becomes relevant if the grid connection can only be realized via an appropriate transfer/transformation level. We offer an implementation package for this – from preliminary design and permitting design & documentation to technical concept (incl. SCADA/control) to EPC tendering and construction/acceptance support – so that design, procurement, and implementation work together seamlessly.
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Engineering & Technical Advisory
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Why work with greentech?
Years of experience
Employees active in 6 European countries
Projects in the development pipeline
Ground-mounted PV systems built
in technical consulting
in operational management
Your Specialists for Grid Connection & Integration at greentech
Viola Hoffmann
Commercial Head of Engineering
Johannes Liebich
Head of Engineering & Technical Advisory
Joern Carstensen
Chief Technical Officer (CTO)
In his role, Jörn Carstensen combines the management of all technical areas of the greentech group. As CTO, he is responsible for plant construction, engineering services and technical management. The aim is to create uniform standards and processes across all technical areas at greentech, thereby ensuring company-wide synergies, high quality and the greatest possible transparency.
Jörn Carstensen joined greentech in 2014 as Business Development Manager. In addition to developing various European markets, he built up the Engineering and Technical Advisory division. From 2006 to 2014, he worked for the Conergy Group in various international corporate and business development positions. Prior to that, he worked for a consulting unit of Accenture and supported utility companies in strategic and organisational issues. Jörn Carstensen holds a degree in Industrial Engineering with a specialisation in Energy and Environmental Management from the Universities of Flensburg and Southampton.
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