Grid integration made easy: In conversation with Rudjer Mardjonovic, CEO of MGI

Interview with Rudjer Mardjonovic, CEO of MGI

Mardjonovic grid integration GmbH & Co. KG, or MGI for short, specializes in the grid integration of generation plants for low-, medium-, and high-voltage grids. Founded by Rudjer Mardjonovic in April 2023, the company currently employs four people. With the motto "Grid integration made easy," MGI aims to simplify the complex process for plant builders and operators. In this interview, Rudjer discusses his experiences thus far.

Rudjer, what motivated you personally to work in this industry?

I am originally from Montenegro, where I also grew up. I came to Germany in 2016. I have first-hand experience of the issue of energy supply, especially secure energy supply. For me, this is one of the most precious commodities, one that must be protected. In Montenegro, the stability of the energy supply is not always guaranteed. Power outages lasting several days are quite normal there. But nobody complains about it. When I came to Germany, I was impressed by how well the power supply works here and that outages are practically non-existent. That's why it's very important to me that this stability is maintained – especially now, in times of energy transition.

What brought you to MGI?

I initially trained in IT and office systems technology. Then, I became an electronics technician specializing in energy and building technology, and finally, I obtained a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. During that time, I was a technical operations manager at an engineering firm. After standard 4110 was introduced, I researched it and founded MGI in April 2023. The engineering firm I had previously worked for did not want to pursue this direction. So I thought, "Okay, then we'll do it ourselves."

I am also currently completing a master's degree in energy management at a distance-learning university.

What has been your greatest success with MGI so far?

Of the many positive developments that have occurred in the company's short history, two stand out. First, the company successfully planned and certified a 100-megawatt PV plant with the customer's own substation (110 kV to 33 kV), and commissioned it. The commissioning engineer from Bayernwerk said that they were not used to such a smooth process. It was a very pleasant process. Everything worked perfectly. Interacting with the many parties involved was flawless. Seeing something so complex and large (over 100 hectares) connected to the grid so smoothly was a great experience.

Another significant event was our collaboration with 8.2 Certification to develop a system certificate for a 5-megawatt PV system in just five weeks. The grid operator immediately approved it. This achievement was extremely important for MGI because it led this customer to subsequently build the aforementioned 100-megawatt plant. They saw how quickly and efficiently we could work.

What has been your experience working with 8.2 Certification so far?

Previously, we worked with certification bodies that were very slow, bureaucratic, and impersonal. For instance, we had different contacts, and all communication had to be in writing. We have been working with 8.2 Certification since 2021. For our first project, we received the certificate within eight to ten weeks and were able to launch the project online. Nine months later, the declaration of conformity was ready as well. After the inspection, the grid operator issued the final operating permit. This laid the foundation for a good, hopefully long-lasting collaboration with 8.2.

One of the biggest advantages of working with 8.2 Certification is their personal, human approach. You know that you are working with competent, committed individuals who are available to answer your calls and participate in consultations. On average, we now require seven weeks for the system certificate and eight weeks for the declaration of conformity. According to network operators, this makes us the current industry leader. Others take up to a year. We can communicate this to our customers. This gives us a significant competitive advantage.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges in plant certification?

One of the biggest problems for me is the long processing times of the network operators. Good coordination is necessary before certification can begin. The complexity and long waiting times make the processes "exciting." Even though this issue has existed for four years, many plant constructors still do not understand the importance and usefulness of Standard 4110. To them, it's just a set of rules that no one can understand. Without wanting to generalize, some people lack the necessary motivation and diligence. After all, grid safety is the top priority. Finally, the electrical properties of the systems undergo strict testing, and everything must be in order by the time the declaration of conformity is issued.

In this regard, it is often a challenge for us as intermediaries to explain the usefulness and necessity of this to those responsible. We therefore offer plant installers training courses on standard 4110 to explain its usefulness and background.

What improvements do you hope to see in this regard in the future?

I hope that these lead times will be reduced in the future through better and more careful planning. I hope to see good coordination and planning, particularly with regard to the current issue of dynamic grid support. In general, the formalities and checks could be made less complicated and more pragmatic.

Thanks to its quality and expertise in the field of plant certification, I believe that 8.2 Certification has become quite influential in the industry. Perhaps we could sit down with the other certification bodies, plant constructors and planners, grid operators, and the Federal Network Agency to work out solutions and compromises in working groups. This would make processes more efficient and speed them up.