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.

select country:

Is it a barrier?

Assessment Severity

Assessment

You have to cope with your connected machinery, the electrolyser has to comply with NL grid codes. These codes are adapted EU codes and if needed additional requirements; the ENTSO–e codes (EU regulation). Poluting the grid is prohibited. Within Europe they aim to have harmonised net–codes. .

Questions:

Question 1 Which is the responsible authority/legal entity for connection of an electrolyser to the electricity grid?

< 110 KV the DSO > 110 KV the TSO

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)?

First come first serve. > 10 MVA is tailor made; < 10 MVA is standard. Pilots are ongoing to give industry information how this works. At least two companies in the Netherlands who work on this. What are the electrolyser parameters which makes . Dynamic interaction between e–net and gas net possible. How can ancillary services support the power system > The dynamic interaction between the grid and the electrolyser.

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?

Standard procedure.

Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen

Power electronics connected machines; e.g. industry with engines. .

National legislation:

The network code on demand connection entered into force on 07 September 2016. It is binding and directly applicable in all Member States.

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.