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.

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.
Is it a barrier?
No
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
Similar type of agreements and requirements as for other types of residential CHP.

Questions:

Question 1 Who is entitled to make the connection to the building electric system?
Connecting a generation installation is always electrical work that can only be carried out by a skilled person with electrical installation permit S1 (all electrical works) or S2 (electrical works up to 1000 V)..
Question 2 Requirement to connect fuel cell to the gas grid.
Gas connection agreement and gas sales agreement are required. The sales agreement is negotiable according to the need. The process starts by contacting the natural gas seller Suomen Kaasuenergia ( https://suomenkaasuenergia.fi/en/new-frontpage/ ). In addition to the gas seller company, the customer service automatically also connects the local gas distributor company to the negotiation. When installing the equipment, the gas mechanic has to have a class C (limited) or Class A (extensive) qualification. Class C is valid when then sum of the nominal fuel power of the devices is up to 500 kW.
Question 3 Who is entitled to make the connection to the gas network?
The gas mechanic has to have a class C (limited) or Class A (extensive) qualification. Class C is valid when then sum of nominal fuel power of the devices is up to 500 kW. The gas network is divided into three hierarchical names: 1) the ‘transmission network’ meaning the largest pressure pipeline network, 2) the ‘usage network’ meaning lower pressure network for regional use like factories and 3) ‘distribution network’, lower pressure network that brings the gas to households and single devices. The distribution network can be connected to the transmission network via a pressure reduction station without the usage network between (from pipelines 1 to 2 or 3). Standpipe connections and other plastic pipe connections to the distribution network is allowed to be done by a firm approved for natural gas plastic pipe connections by Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). Short metallic pipe parts interconnecting the plastic pipes in the distribution network can be assembled by firms approved to assemble usage network pipelines by Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).
Question 4 Technology to be compared with: Difference of treatment between the Fuel cells and the benchmark technology? If yes: what are the differences?
CHP at utility scale. District heating is very popular in Finland.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Gas fired boiler

National legislation:

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.