Connecting electrolyser to the electricity grid (as a consumer)

This LAP is concerned with formal procedures and arrangements via a responsible/legal authority for access to the e-grid (at a local or other level) for electrolyser connection and whether an electrolyser connection is treated differently to connection of a conventional electricity consuming load. If an electrolyser load is treated differently then the variance in procedures are sought to be identified

Glossary:

Permission (process) and additional restrictions regarding the connection of the electrolyser to the electricity grid.
Is it a barrier?
Neutral
Assessment Severity
NA
Assessment
the same as for every electricity consuming facility

Questions:

Question 1 Which is the responsible authority/legal entity for connection of an electrolyser to the electricity grid?
The connection of an electrolyser has to be demanded: – to ENEDIS the local operator of the electricity distribution grid, If the connection is done at the distribution level (lower voltage and intensity – up to 20000 V for example); – to RTE, the national Electricity Transport Operator, if the connection is directly done at the transportation level (at higher voltages above 150000 V for example, or depending on the power of the electrolyser –for example several 10 MW). l
Question 2 Connection procedure and requirements: Are the steps different between an electrolyser and any other connecting consumer-facility (e.g.: industrial installation of similar demand)?
The steps are the same as for every electricity consuming facility
Question 3 If yes to question 2, what are the procedural steps to undertake to obtain the permission to connect the electrolyser to the electricity grid?
The different steps are the following: – get in contact with the local grid operator to submit a connection demand; – depending on the localisation and he power of the unit , a specific “connection study” can be demanded and necessary to evaluate the specific connection costs due to some new connecting equipment’s the grid operator has to construct / build (the costs of the study have to be paid by the operator of the electrolyser); – after the completion of the “connecting study”, the formal connection convention between the operator and the grid operator the can be signed by the operator of the electrolyser; – the local grid operator plan the necessary working and construction steps; – after completion of the work, the connection can be done.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
the same as for every electricity consuming facility

National legislation:

EU Legislation:

  • Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity
    Directive 2009/72/EC establishes common rules for the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity, together with consumer protection provisions. It lays down the rules relating to the organisation and functioning of the electricity sector, open access to the market, the criteria and procedures applicable to calls for tenders and the granting of authorisations and the operation of systems. It also lays down universal service obligations and the rights of electricity consumers and clarifies competition requirements.


    Article 25 establishes the “Tasks of the distribution system operator” which include: ensuring the long-term ability of the system to meet reasonable demands for the distribution of electricity […] as well as to ensure that the system operator does not discriminate between system users or classes of system users including e.g. when setting rules for the charging of system users, etc. Article 25 allows, however to require the distribution system operator to give priority to generating installations using renewable energy sources or waste or producing combined heat and power.

    Article 32 sets the rules on “Third party access”: access to the transmission and distribution system, and LNG facilities shall be based on published tariffs, without discrimination between system users. The transmission or distribution system operator may refuse access where it lacks the necessary capacity. Duly substantiated reasons must be given for such refusal,
  • Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1388 of 17 August 2016 establishing a Network Code on Demand Connection
    Regulation 2016/1388 establishes a network code which lays down the requirements for grid connection of:
    • transmission-connected demand facilities;
    • transmission-connected distribution facilities;
    • distribution systems, including closed distribution systems;
    • demand units, used by a demand facility or a closed distribution system to provide demand response services to relevant system operators and relevant TSOs.