The Netzregelung 2.0 project, coordinated by Fraunhofer IEE, set out to demonstrate that a power system with a very high penetration of power‑converter‑based renewable generation can remain stable, even in fault conditions, through advanced control strategies. SMA Solar Technology AG, together with the universities of Braunschweig and Kassel and the professional associations FNN and DERlab, carried out a series of investigations that focused on photovoltaic (PV) and battery‑storage inverters. The goal was to identify the technical requirements that future grid codes will impose on these devices and to develop concrete, testable solutions that can be integrated into commercial inverter platforms.
SMA’s contribution was to analyse the regulatory needs of PV and battery systems, to design robust control architectures for grid‑dominant networks, and to implement and evaluate prototype solutions. The work began with a comprehensive review of existing control concepts, followed by the definition of grid areas, fault scenarios, and case studies that reflect realistic operating conditions. SMA’s team produced a set of control algorithms that enable inverters to provide voltage support, frequency regulation, and fault‑ride‑through capabilities. These algorithms were model‑based and tailored to the specific dynamics of PV arrays and battery storage units.
The prototype inverters were built on SMA’s existing hardware platforms. Laboratory tests confirmed that the new control schemes could maintain voltage within the required limits during sudden load changes and could ride through short‑duration faults without tripping. Field tests in real installations further validated the performance, showing that the inverters could deliver the necessary reactive power and frequency support while maintaining power quality. Although the report does not provide explicit numerical performance figures, the successful lab and field demonstrations indicate that the developed solutions meet the stringent stability criteria set by the consortium.
Beyond the technical development, SMA actively participated in the consortium’s discussions on harmonising international grid‑code requirements. The company contributed its manufacturing perspective to the working groups, ensuring that the proposed control strategies are not only technically sound but also manufacturable and cost‑effective. The collaboration extended to international bodies such as IEA, IEC, and IEEE, where SMA’s findings were presented to shape future standards for PV and battery inverters.
The project was funded under the German federal “Netzregelung 2.0” programme, which supports research into next‑generation grid control. The original schedule was extended by nine months to accommodate delays caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic and the need for more extensive scientific work. Despite this extension, the project largely adhered to its planned timeline and budget, with only minor adjustments to the work and financial plan.
In summary, the Netzregelung 2.0 effort produced a suite of advanced control concepts for PV and battery inverters, validated through laboratory and real‑world testing. These concepts address the key challenges of high converter penetration, including voltage stability, fault tolerance, and grid support functions. The collaborative framework, involving academic institutions, industry associations, and a leading inverter manufacturer, ensured that the solutions are both technically robust and aligned with forthcoming grid‑code requirements. The project’s outcomes provide a solid foundation for the next generation of inverter‑based renewable energy integration and contribute to the resilience and reliability of future power systems.