Connection to electricity grid (injection of electricity)

This LAP deals with:
• The grid connection agreements with electricity grid operators,
• The equipment required to connect the stationary fuel cell and to inject all produced or only surplus electricity into the grid,
• The qualification requirements for professionals entitled to carry out the connection works,
• The differences in treatment between the fuel cells micro-CHP and other comparable technologies.

Glossary:

Connection of the Fuel cell to the electricity distribution network with the possibility to inject electricity produced by the fuel cell.
As explained above, there are different possibilities of connection to electricity grid (injection)
• Stand-alone (no injection)
• Sell surplus electricity to the grid
• Sell all electricity to the grid

Pan-European Assessment:

There is no common EU framework for connection of stationary fuel cells to the electricity grids. In general, the connection procedures among partner countries require the conclusion of a connection (injection) agreements with the local/ regional electricity network operator. Each network operator has a model text for connection contract and number of templates to be filled in. The connection requirements are more general for all types of power generating units and are not specified for FC micro-CHP systems. In some countries for the signing of the connection agreement it is necessary to submit quite extensive technical documentation and even to carry out a feasibility study, which may cause additional costs and delays. The time needed for signing of a grid connection agreement vary widely among the partner countries and may take up to six months. Although, this is not seen as a significant operational or economic barrier to the market entry of stationary fuel cells, there is a need to simplify the administrative procedures and to reduce and adapt the required technical documentation and possible preliminary studies.

select country:

Is it a barrier?

Yes

Type of Barrier

Regulatory gap

Assessment Severity

Assessment

Regulatory issues. The injection of electricity on the electricity grid has specific constraints in Spain. It is allowed but tehcnical and adminsitrative regulations are not promoting the self-consume in Spain. Moreover, just NG FC are able to fall under the renewable energies that are considered, and due to it, there is no tax promotion for the hydrogen fuel cells.

Questions:

Question 1 Agreement required? a) From whom? b) Model text? c) How much time does it take?

Yes

Question 1 Agreement required? a - From whom?

a - DSO/TSO and the electricity producer.

Question 1 Agreement required? b - Model text?

b - Access permit for the evaluation of the grid capacity. Connection permits with the project of the installation.

Question 1 Agreement required? c - How much time does it take?

c - From 2 weeks to 2 months.

Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: a - all cases

a - Independenly if the electricity is sold or not, then, the legal figure is not a consumer, is a producer. This is based in the definition of the Royal Decree 900/2015 in its article 4. The title IV details which are the requisites based on the measurement for this figure of self-consume. Being more precise, the facility should accomplish the regulations of the Low power Electrotechnical Regulation . Moreover, it is necessary to have two measurement equipments. One, bidirectional, to measure the net power generates, and other one that measures the total demanded energy by the consumer. In accordance with the different powers that are allowed for the self-consumption, different taxes apply or not. More detailled information in the Royal Decree 900/2015

Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: b - additional requirements in case where all produced electricity is sold (injected)

b- Independenly if the electricity is sold or not, then, the legal figure is not a consumer, is a producer. This is based in the definition of the Royal Decree 900/2015 in its article 4. The title IV details which are the requisites based on the measurement for this figure of self-consume. Being more precise, the facility should accomplish the regulations of the Low power Electrotechnical Regulation . Moreover, it is necessary to have two measurement equipments. One, bidirectional, to measure the net power generates, and other one that measures the total demanded energy by the consumer. In accordance with the different powers that are allowed for the self-consumption, different taxes apply or not. More detailled information in the Royal Decree 900/2015

Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: c - additional Requirements in case when only surplus electricity is sold (injected)

c - Independenly if the electricity is sold or not, then, the legal figure is not a consumer, is a producer. This is based in the definition of the Royal Decree 900/2015 in its article 4. The title IV details which are the requisites based on the measurement for this figure of self-consume. Being more precise, the facility should accomplish the regulations of the Low power Electrotechnical Regulation . Moreover, it is necessary to have two measurement equipments. One, bidirectional, to measure the net power generates, and other one that measures the total demanded energy by the consumer. In accordance with the different powers that are allowed for the self-consumption, different taxes apply or not. More detailled information in the Royal Decree 900/2015

Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: d - additional requirements in case of self-consumption (no injection in the grid)

d - Independenly if the electricity is sold or not, then, the legal figure is not a consumer, is a producer. This is based in the definition of the Royal Decree 900/2015 in its article 4. The title IV details which are the requisites based on the measurement for this figure of self-consume. Being more precise, the facility should accomplish the regulations of the Low power Electrotechnical Regulation . Moreover, it is necessary to have two measurement equipments. One, bidirectional, to measure the net power generates, and other one that measures the total demanded energy by the consumer. In accordance with the different powers that are allowed for the self-consumption, different taxes apply or not. More detailled information in the Royal Decree 900/2015

Question 3 Who can do the connection work (professional skills requirement)?

Specialized technicians from electricity companies and engineers.

Question 4 Technology to be compared with: Difference of treatment between the Fuel cells and the benchmark technology.

PV, Micro-CHP, Wind Power, and all that falls under the Royal Decree 413/2014 are considered renewable resouces and they have specific aids that promote then. Nevertheless, just NG FC fall under the definition of cogeneration according this Royal Decree, not being considered hydrogen FC.

Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen

Solar systems. This is based in the fuel cells that works with NG.

National legislation:

Royal Decree 413/2014, of 6 of June, by which regulates the activity of production of electrical energy from renewable sources of energy, cogeneration and residues.
Royal Decree rules the economic and legal regime in which renewable resources to product electricity permitted are explained. Art 2 does not include information about FC systems.
Royal Decree 842/2002, of August 2, which approves the low voltage Electrotechnical Regulation.
Royal Decree 900/2015, 9 October, which regulates the administrative conditions, technical and economic modalities of supply of electricity with consumption and production with consumption.
Title II gives information about the legal framework and figures and Title IV talks about the different equiments and technical requirements.