Installation requirement
This LAP analyses:
• The qualification requirements for installers of electrical connections to the building ,
• The requirements for connecting the fuel cell to the gas grid,
• The training and certification requirements for technicians providing gas grid connections
• The differences in treatment between the stationary fuel cells and the benchmark technology.
• The qualification requirements for installers of electrical connections to the building ,
• The requirements for connecting the fuel cell to the gas grid,
• The training and certification requirements for technicians providing gas grid connections
• The differences in treatment between the stationary fuel cells and the benchmark technology.
Glossary:
Connection of the Fuel cell to the electricity system of the building and connection to the gas network.
Pan-European Assessment:
There is no common EU framework for installation of FC micro-CHP units in the buildings or for their connection to the gas grids.
Among the partner countries the qualification requirements for installers entitled to connect stationary fuel cells to the electrical systems of the buildings are similar. In general, the installations can be performed by professionals with an appropriate qualification for work with electric devices.
The connections to the gas grids must also be done by trained and qualified installers. In some countries, the works can be provided only by the distribution network operator, in others the gas professionals must be approved by the gas network operator.
Typically, the requirements for connection of the FC micro-CHP units to the gas grids are stipulated by the distribution grid operators. There are various regulations and standards at national level related to the gas grid connection. No harmonised EU framework in regards to applicable standards and codes is in place.
Among the partner countries the qualification requirements for installers entitled to connect stationary fuel cells to the electrical systems of the buildings are similar. In general, the installations can be performed by professionals with an appropriate qualification for work with electric devices.
The connections to the gas grids must also be done by trained and qualified installers. In some countries, the works can be provided only by the distribution network operator, in others the gas professionals must be approved by the gas network operator.
Typically, the requirements for connection of the FC micro-CHP units to the gas grids are stipulated by the distribution grid operators. There are various regulations and standards at national level related to the gas grid connection. No harmonised EU framework in regards to applicable standards and codes is in place.
Is it a barrier?
No
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
There is a specific lack of regulation. As far as there is no experience in the topic, in Spain, the regulation is generalist, and due to it, the processes for the connection of a gas boiler should be followed. The operation should be done for specialists which has been trained in the electricity and the gas grid.
Questions:
Question 1
Who is entitled to make the connection to the building electric system?
Certified electrician.
Question 2
Requirement to connect fuel cell to the gas grid.
There is not any case of a fuel cell connected to the gas grid in Spain. Nevertheless, the connection of a new facility to the gas grid should follow the next structure, independently of the equipment, because this connection is deeply related with the grid and not with the final equipment.
The costumer applies for a connection point. Then, the DSO should analyse its application, and if it is possible, the DSO should present a project, when the costs of the connection are presented. If both parts agree, then the connection will be done.
Moreover, the consumer should pay taxes in order to be allowed to use the gas grid. Among them, especially emphasis needs to be set in the set up tax and the connection tax which are nationally regulated for each region of Spain.
Once everything has been agreed and paid, the connection is realised. In order to control the amount of gas, it is mandatory for the costumer to have measurement equipments as the article 49 of the Royal Decree 1343/2002 explained.
Question 3
Who is entitled to make the connection to the gas network?
As the Royal Decree 1434/2002 says in its article 34, the connection of the new facility to the gas grid needs to be done by the DSO, via specialist technicians which are trained and are able to check the needed documentation, verify the absence of leakages and leave ready the new facility for the costumer use.
Question 4
Technology to be compared with:
Difference of treatment between the Fuel cells and the benchmark technology?
If yes: what are the differences?
There is no information in the spanish regulation about the fuel cells. They are not properly specified in the legislation.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Boilers from the gas grid perspective. Batteries from the electricity grid perspective.
National legislation:
-
Royal Decree 1434 / 2002, of 27 of December, which regulates the activities of transport, distribution, marketing, supply and natural gas facilities authorization procedures.
Royal Decree 1343 /2002 regulates the different activities of the natural gas market. Special attention should be put in the chapter II, where the connection steps are regulated.
- Law 34/1998 of the hydrocarbons sector.
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, -
Directive 2009/73/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas
Directive 2009/73/EC establishes common rules for the transmission, distribution, supply and storage of natural gas.
Its provisions and obligations apply to Hydrogen Gas by virtue of Article 1 (2), which states that the rules established by this Directive for natural gas, including LNG, shall also apply in a non–discriminatory way to biogas and gas from biomass or other types of gas in so far as such gases can technically and safely be injected into, and transported through, the natural gas system.
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 gas […];shall provide any other distribution, transmission, LNG, and/or storage system operator with sufficient information […] as well as to ensure that the system operator does not discriminate between system users or classes of system including, including e.g. when setting rules for the charging of system users, etc
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, applicable to all eligible customers, including supply undertakings, and applied objectively and without discrimination between system users.