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 no legislative barrier for the connection of a fuel cell based micro-CHP to the electricity or gas network.
Questions:
Question 1
Who is entitled to make the connection to the building electric system?
Qualified technicians, all installations can only be tested or put into operation after they have been checked for compliance with the rules stated by AREI (Belgian guiding rules for electrical installations) and by Synergrid (Belgian federation of network operators) . The AREI compliance inspection is also mandatory if the production installation is not connected to a public electricity grid (island operation).
Question 2
Requirement to connect fuel cell to the gas grid.
Compliance has to be proven by a compliance inspection through an inspection body that delivers the required documents (“Getuigschrift af te leveren aan de aardgasdistributienetbeheerder (DNB) voor het openen van de gasmeter overeenkomstig het Koninklijk Besluit van 28 juni 1971”; “Certificate to be submitted to the Natural Gas Distribution Network Operator (DNB) for opening the gas meter in accordance with the Royal Decree of 28 June 1971”
.
The installation of a CHP (<10kW) to the gas grid has to be notified to the DSO within 45 days after installation.
For larger CHP, a request has to be sent to the DSO before installation.
Question 3
Who is entitled to make the connection to the gas network?
The connection to the gas network is performed by the DSO, this includes all infrastructure between the distribution grid and the metering infrastructure, including the metering infrastructure
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 technology specific treatment.
National legislation:
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Technical regulations for the distribution of gas in the Flemish region, VREG – Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering houdende goedkeuring van het technisch reglement voor de distributie van gas in het Vlaamse Gewest – 8 JAN 2016 [C − 2016/35426]
This document describes the technical requirements for access to the gas distribution network.
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.