In order to grid connect your turbine you need to fill in a grid connection form. If you are connecting a station up to 5MWs you need to fill in a form called the G59. This is a very complicated procedure needing site visits etc and is designed for small power stations, where the energy distributor has to asses the implications to the grid of the power station coming on line. In order to encourage SSEG (small scale Electricity Generation) a new standard was agreed to allow small scale generators to more easily connect. This new form was called the G83 and it allowed a far easier application for devices with an output up to 16amps per phase.

Unfortunately the 6kw and 15KW Proven wind turbines output greater that 16amps. The 6KW for example outputs 6000watts / 230volts = 26amps.

So it is not covered by G83 and it is at the discretion of the network operator if they accept the G83 form.

More importantly it may be that you could not connect without having to pay for some additional costs. These would be for the potential changes the Operator would have to make to accept a >16amp output. It is therefore vital to check with the grid verbally before you install as you may have unexpected costs. If you are in a town you are probably OK.

I attach a copy of correspondence for further detail. See the bold section in particular.

"We would not accept this as a G83 application as the low voltage generation installation has a greater current output than 16A per phase prescribed in the electricity industry’s G83/1 Standard and Regulation 22 of the Electricity, Safety Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002.

To comply with G83/1 is it possible to reduce output down to 16A per phase?, if not and having discussed this application internally, although we are not accepting under G83/1 procedure for a 6kW SSEG installation, we will accept it to operate in parallel.

For ease of simplicity, we would accept G83/1 (Commissioning) paperwork for >16a per phase which is to include STAR Certificate and site specific schematic.

I would like to take the opportunity of expressing that, although in this particular instance the connection of this generator, at this location on our network is not expected to cause any concerns, this may not be the case for other installations. It would be a pity to complete an installation at a location which could not accommodate the generator output. It is for this reason that G83/1 and the ESQC Regulations limit the output of generators to 16 Amps per phase and allow the installer to notify the Distribution Network Operator of the commissioning. Generators with an output in excess of 16 Amps per phase can be connected to our network, and part of the G59 procedure is a review of the effect of connecting the generator. In some circumstances we may have to carry out work on our network to accommodate a generator and part of the costs of this work are borne by the customer."