INTEGRID — Impact of new grid codes on the local distribution network of nuclear power plants

This paper describes the key outputs of the INTEGRID project related to the impact of the new Grid Codes and the implementation of new technologies on the electrical systems and equipment of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). The project is funded by the European Commission under the NUGENIA+ umbrella as a pilot project, and carried out by EDF (leader), the University of Manchester, Areva GMBH, and TECNATOM. INTEGRID investigates the increased stresses on the equipment of NPPs that could result from the newly proposed modifications of the Grid Codes by the ENTSO-E, specifically the impacts of wider voltage and frequency ranges. In particular, this paper discusses the impact of these new frequency and voltage operating ranges, and the corresponding code modifications, on different aspects related to the regulation of machines, overheating and vibrations of the equipment, and the appearance of electrical transients in the plant distribution network. The implementation of new technologies, replacing the existing equipment, is also discussed.