Grid operators, worldwide, are experiencing higher distributed generation penetration levels. This new paradigm is starting to show its effects and in order to maintain the safety and reliability of the network, most distribution system operators are adopting international standards or defining their own. Besides available international standards, a large variety of national or local requirements appear to give an answer to those local necessities. These local factors are highly dependent on the geography, grid structure, type of technology and the amount of current penetration level of distributed generation.

In New Zealand, the recent rapid uptake of distributed generation, in particular for photovoltaics, and the diversity of distribution companies’ guidelines, along with the vision of a future common framework for New Zealand has inspired the review of all international standards and a cross comparison with local guide lines has been performed. The purpose of this analysis is to build a picture of these standards and give a brief insight into the current stance the national distribution companies have via their policies.

Presented at the 2014 EEA conference