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
Description of m–CHP installation and analogy with gas–boiler installation

Questions:

Question 1 Who is entitled to make the connection to the building electric system?
The installation of the fuel cell must be performed by an electrician with an adequate qualification (sertification)
Question 2 Requirement to connect fuel cell to the gas grid.
It is necessary to conclude the user agreement with the gas grid operator.1. The maximum operating pressure of the installation pipework in residential and non–residential buildings (except for industrial manufacturing buildings and warehouses) shall not be higher than 0.01 MPa (0.1 bar), and not higher than 0.4 MPa (4.0 bar) in industrial manufacturing buildings and warehouses. As an exception, in industrial manufacturing buildings, where dictated by the manufacturing process, a higher maximum operation pressure is permissible, up to 1.6 MPa (16 bar), and the building design and technical solution shall provide for the necessary safety measures for work environment. 2. The gas pressure in the installation pipework upstream the gas appliances shall correspond to that indicated in the manufacturer's instructions and within the ranges laid down in Paragraph 11 of this Construction Standard. 3. The internal diameter of the gas pipes in the installation pipework shall be determined with hydraulic calculations, provided that all consumers receive a continuous flow of natural gas at maximum gas consumption per hour. The aggregate pressure loss in the pipework of the installation pipework shall be assumed within the range that ensures the necessary minimum pressure to each single gas appliance; however not lower than 0.0017 MPa (17 mbar). When making the calculations, hydrostatic pressure (Pa) shall be taken in to account. 50. It is permitted to install gas appliance installations in multi–storey multi–apartment buildings for communal heating and hot water: 50.1. in the basement and semi–basement floor of the building, if the aggregate nominal heat capacity of gas appliance installations (boilers) is not higher than 500 kW; 50.2. on the ground floor of the building, if the aggregate nominal heat capacity of gas appliance installations (boilers) is not higher than 500 kW; 50.3. in the attic and penthouse of the building, if the aggregate nominal heat capacity of gas appliance installations (boilers) is not higher than 2.0 MW; 50.4. it is permitted to install container–type gas appliance installations on the roof of the building with a nominal heat capacity of up to 10.0 MW. To install the m–CHP it is determinated that: 65. Construction work of the installation pipework shall be performed in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations and the building design or technical solution. 77. The performer of construction work shall be responsible for the quality of construction work. 79. For quality surveillance of the construction work and for the commissioning of the constructed installation pipework and gas appliance installations in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations, a certified construction supervisor shall be engaged.
Question 3 Who is entitled to make the connection to the gas network?
Construction worker with certification for gas network.
Question 4 Technology to be compared with: Difference of treatment between the Fuel cells and the benchmark technology? If yes: what are the differences?
Not enough information. No regulation about fuel cells
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
gas appliance installation — equipment from an closing device upstream the gas appliance up to a flue gas discharge system. Gas appliance installation consists of a gas pipe connecting the gas appliance to its upstream closing device, a gas appliance, and devices necessary for the air supply to enable the combustion of natural gas and devices necessary for the discharge of flue gas;

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.