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?
Yes
Type of Barrier
Operational barrier
Assessment Severity
1
Assessment
The installation requirements for a FC micro CHP are no different from those for any other CHP unit to be installed in a building and connected to the gas grid. The administrative procedures are numerous and need long time to be completed. There are several authorities to contact, lot of documents to prepare and long waiting time.
Questions:
Question 1
Who is entitled to make the connection to the building electric system?
The connection to the building electric system is in charge of the Local distributor (i.e. ENEL), for the exchange energy meter installation.
For all the other connections: an electrician certified according to Ministerial Decree no. 37, published on 12th of March, 2008.
Question 2
Requirement to connect fuel cell to the gas grid.
Usually gas connection is already available; no specific requirements in that case. If not already available, a connection request and an agreement with the gas operator must be required.
Question 3
Who is entitled to make the connection to the gas network?
Gas operator for the gas meter installation.
Other connections: plumber certified according to Ministerial Decree no. 37, published on 12th of March, 2008.
Question 4
Technology to be compared with:
Difference of treatment between the Fuel cells and the benchmark technology?
If yes: what are the differences?
Gas boiler. There are no differences from the connection to the gas network perspective
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Gas boiler. Some producers require a special training from installers.
National legislation:
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Ministerial Decree no. 37, published on 12th of March, 2008)
This decree applies to heating appliances located within buildings. If the plant is connected to the distribution networks, it applies from the point of delivery of the supply. The national decree also provides the professional and technical requirements concerning activities on the plant, which the technical expert must have. A design is required for the installation, extension or modification of the plant, a design is requested and it must be elaborated in accordance with current standards. One of the most important aspects of the document is the declaration of conformity, which must be provided by the installation company, when the activities have been completed. Furthermore, the national decree contains information about: the owner’s and client’s obligations, as well as about fines incurred for violations and attachments for the declaration of conformity..
- Decree no. 412 (amended by Decree no. 551/99) – Regulation of heating systems in buildings (the design, installation, operation and maintenance of heating systems in buildings), with the objective of energy savings,).
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Ministerial Decree 16/04/2008: Technical rule for the design, construction, testing, operation and monitoring of works and distribution systems and of direct natural gas lines with a density of up to 0.8
This technical rule has the aim of guaranteeing the safety, the possibility of interconnection and the interoperability of the systems.
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UNI 7129 (2008) – Gas plants for domestic use supplied by a distribution network – Design, installation and maintenance..
This standard establishes the design, installation and testing requirements for domestic plants and the like that are fed by fuel gases belonging to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd families and which come from a distribution network. Reference is made to UNI 9165 and UNI 10682.
The Standard defines the criteria for the installation of gas appliances with a nominal heat input of up to 35 kW, as well as ventilation and /or aeration of premises.
The standard defines the criteria of combustion products in flue systems connected to gas appliances with a nominal heat input of up to 35 kW.
The standard defines the commissioning criteria of: gas appliances with a nominal heat input of up to 35 kW, new domestic gas plants, substitution of gas appliances, and modification of gas plants. -
UNI 7140 (2013) – Gas appliances for domestic use – Non metallic flexible pipes for connection of gas appliances for domestic use and the like.
This standard establishes the construction requirements and test methods for flexible pipes (A1, A2, B and C–types) used to connect domestic appliances and the like with a thermal power of up to 35 kW and fed by fuel gases belonging to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd families.
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.