TOR Generators (TOR Erzeuger)

What are the TOR Erzeuger?

The technical and organisational rules for operators and users of networks (TOR) set out the requirements that installations on the Austrian grid must meet. They are published by E-Control as part of the market rules. The part for generators implements the European grid connection rules for power generating plants (Network Code Requirements for Generators, RfG) and divides plants into four types by capacity:

• Type A: from 0.8 kW to below 250 kW
• Type B: from 250 kW to below 35 MW
• Type C: from 35 MW to below 50 MW
• Type D: from 50 MW, or connected at 110 kV or above

The higher the type, the more extensive the requirements, for example for behaviour during frequency and voltage deviations, for reactive power and for control by the grid operator.

What matters in practice

• what counts is the maximum active power at the grid connection point, which for photovoltaics is usually the inverter capacity
• an extension can move an existing plant into a higher type
• Oesterreichs Energie keeps a list of inverters approved for type A
• clarify early with the grid operator how a battery at the same connection is to be taken into account
• the rules on limiting feed-in power are currently changing, so ask the grid operator for the latest position

Practical example

A business has a PV system with 200 kW of inverter capacity and wants to add another 80 kW. Together the plant reaches 280 kW and therefore falls into type B, with additional requirements for protection and control technology. The type classification therefore belongs before the order, not in the grid registration.

The Speichercampus perspective

For commercial batteries of several hundred kilowatts, the TOR type classification belongs in the planning from the start, together with the grid operator.