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
The installation requirements for a FC–based micro CHP are no different from those for any other CHP unit to be installed in a building and connected to the gas grid.
Questions:
Question 1
Who is entitled to make the connection to the building electric system?
The connection to building can be made by every professional who has the qualification for working on and with electric devices
Question 2
Requirement to connect fuel cell to the gas grid.
The requirement are the same as for every gas heating appliance (gas boiler, heating or cooking device) or cogeneration unit.
It is required to conclude a gas network connection contract (with the operator of the gas grid, if the gas connection is a new one - a gas metter wil than be installed) and a gas suppy contract
Question 3
Who is entitled to make the connection to the gas network?
The connection to the gas grid can be made:
– by a gas professional, when the connection is after the private gas counting device;
– by an approved gas professional (approved by the gas grid operator) when the connection to the grid is before the private counting device.
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 difference in the treatment with comparable technologies. There are also no differences depending on the electrical and heating power of the units. The same rules are applicable as for comparative technologies. Technologies to be compared with: :
– CHP with combustion engines;
–CHP with sterling engines;
– heating appliances (boilers);
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
m–CHP with combustion or sterling engines, conventional heating appliances and boilers
National legislation:
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Arrêté du 2 août 1977 relatif aux règles techniques et de sécurité applicables aux installations de gaz combustible et d'hydrocarbures liquéfiés situés à l'intérieur des bâtiments d'habitation ou de leurs dépendances (Régulation related to the technical and safety rules related to installations using flammable gases or liquid hydrocarbons in habitations and their dependancies)
Technical Regulation and safety rules for the connection to the gas grid and the distribution within habitations
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Arrété du 26 octobre 2010 relatif aux caractéristiques thermiques et aux exigences de performance énergétique des bâtiments nouveaux et des parties nouvelles de bâtiments – « Regulation for the thermal caracteristics and energetic efficiency of new buildings or extensions »
This regulation is fixing the calculations methods and procedure for the calculation of the thermal performance indexes of the building according to a given code.
If the technology or equipment used to provide energy to the building is not listed, a special approval procedure has to performed by the equipment builder or planer of the building. This procedure is called “Titre V”.
Fuel cell technologies are not listed in this regulation, so there is need to do it, otherwise the fuel cell equipment can not be integrated into the building, as the building permit will not be delivered (the thermal calculation for the performance of the building are part of the building permit). -
The general regulation applicable for natural gas use in buildings, and for heating devices in buildings is applicable.
The general regulation for the connection of gas appliances to the gas grid within a building gives the general technical rules, essentially safety rules to be followed.
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, -
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.