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?
Yes
Type of Barrier
Operational barriers
Assessment Severity
2
Assessment
It is difficult to assess this LAP, since there is limited experience to draw upon. For now, one could perhaps say that there is a knowledge or operational barrier – that will start to be addressed through the REMOTE project.

Questions:

Question 1 Which is the responsible authority/legal entity for connection of an electrolyser to the electricity grid?
Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has the overall authority, whereas Statnett SF has the role of Transmission System Operator (TSO). Under the current Norwegian regulation, Statnett approves the technical design of generators, network units and industry connections, before units may connect to the transmission and higher voltage distribution grids. If the connection is done at distribution level, the local DSO is in charge of the permitting process.
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)?
These questions are being addressed in Norway right now. There is a national process to implement network connection codes and guidelines, where Statnett is in dialogue with the DSOs and other stakeholders. As far as we have been able to establish, there is no established procedure for connecting an electrolyser to net, so the procedure according to regulation is the same as for other connecting consumer facilities.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Statnett has developed a national guideline that presents the minimum technical requirements it requires for approving connection to the transmission and higher voltage distribution grids. This national guideline is called FIKS (functional requirements in the power system). Today’s requirements in FIKS cover hydro, wind and thermal power plants with an installed capacity greater than 1 MVA, as well as grid units and to a minor extent large industry connections. Additionally, bilateral connection agreements are made between grid users and grid system operators on all voltage levels.

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.