CEA Draft Grid Connectivity Norms Propose Grid-Forming Capability, Expanded Role for BESS
The Central Electricity Authority has proposed new grid connectivity standards that seek to position Battery Energy Storage Systems and grid-forming inverter technologies as key enablers of grid stability amid rising renewable energy integration.
August 05, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey
As India's power system witnesses a rapid increase in renewable energy capacity, the draft regulations aim to equip inverter-based resources with advanced grid-support capabilities traditionally provided by conventional synchronous generators.
Among the key proposals, the CEA has introduced dedicated provisions for Grid Forming Control, recognising its importance in maintaining system stability in a grid with increasing penetration of inverter-based renewable energy resources. Under the draft regulations, generating stations equipped with grid-forming control would be required to comply with all technical requirements applicable to asynchronous generating stations while also providing near-instantaneous voltage and frequency support independently through their converter controls. The proposal states that the primary control objective should be to maintain the internal voltage phasor during sub-transient conditions by utilising the converter's full available current capacity.
The draft further proposes that grid-forming generating stations should be capable of seamless transition between grid-connected and islanded modes of operation, ensuring stable reconnection to the main grid without disrupting system performance. In addition, such systems would be required to inject negative-sequence currents to maintain voltage symmetry during unbalanced operating conditions and remain operational during positive-sequence phase-angle variations of up to ±60 electrical degrees occurring within a sub-cycle to one-cycle timeframe.
Battery Energy Storage Systems receive dedicated attention throughout the draft regulations, reflecting their growing importance in India's evolving electricity network. The CEA has proposed that BESS should comply with the technical requirements applicable to asynchronous generating stations, including voltage ride-through, frequency ride-through, reactive power capability, active power control and dynamic response characteristics. The regulations also prescribe separate applicability for fixed-speed pumped storage plants, BESS and variable-speed pumped storage plants under the ESS framework.
A notable proposal is the requirement for BESS with an aggregate capacity of 50 MW and above to provide black start capability, enabling them to assist in restoring the grid following a complete or partial blackout. According to the draft, this functionality would need to be demonstrated during commissioning and verified periodically through testing as specified by the appropriate Load Despatch Centre.
The draft regulations also propose enhanced operational capabilities for inverter-based generating stations, including BESS. Projects with an installed capacity exceeding 10 MW and connected at 33 kV and above would be required to have facilities for receiving dispatch instructions from Load Despatch Centres for active power control, frequency response and reactive power support. They would also be expected to provide immediate primary frequency response of at least 10 percent of maximum AC active power capacity during significant frequency deviations, while limiting ramp rates to not more than ±10 percent per minute at the Point of Interconnection.
Further, the draft proposes that BESS and other inverter-based resources should provide dynamic reactive power support across their operating range and remain connected during voltage disturbances through Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT), High Voltage Ride Through (HVRT) and Multiple Fault Ride Through (MFRT) capabilities. During grid faults, these resources would be expected to prioritise reactive current injection by default, restore active power to at least 90 percent of pre-fault levels within one second after voltage recovery and maintain stable operation under weak grid conditions.
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