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?
No
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
The LAP is important for identifying the legal requirements and procedures for connecting an electrolyser to electricity grid and pointing out the potential barriers to connection of an electrolyser to electricity grid.
Questions:
Question 1
Which is the responsible authority/legal entity for connection of an electrolyser to the electricity grid?
Operators of electricity supply networks
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 similar. There is no difference in the connection procedure and requirements. Network operators are required under the German Energy Industry Act to connect end customers, other energy supply networks and their lines, and generation and storage facilities to their networks on reasonable, non–discriminatory and transparent terms (§ 17).
Operators of electricity supply networks are obliged to define and publish the technical minimum requirements for the grid connection of generating plants, installations for the storage of electrical energy, installations of directly connected customers.(§19)
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electricity consumers with similar demand
National legislation:
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Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz, EnWG),
§17 Grid connection
Assures the right to get connected free of discrimination.
§ 20 Access to the power supply networks
Assures the right to get access without discrimination. - Electricity Grid Access Ordinance (Verordnung über den Zugang zu Elektrizitätsversorgungsnetzen (Stromnetzzugangsverordnung – StromNZV
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VDE-AR-N 4105 Generators connected to the low-voltage distribution network.Technical requirements for the connection to and parallel operation with low-voltage distribution networks
This VDE application guide applies for the planning, erection, operation and modification of generators connected to the low-voltage distribution network of a network operator and operated in parallel with the network.
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VDE–AR–N 4120:2015–01 Technical requirements for the connection and operation of customer installations to the high–voltage network
VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies)
Specifies the Technical Connection Conditions for planning, erection, operation and modification of customer installations (demand facilities and power generating plants) which are connected to a network operator’s high-voltage public electricity network at the network connection point. The guide also applies where the customer installation’s connection is in a non-public medium-voltage network and where this medium-voltage network is connected to the public high-voltage network via transformers and connection cables.
EU Legislation:
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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.