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.
Is it a barrier?
No
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
The connection facility of FC units to the grid with the same rules as classical CHP units or classical electricity producing units or renewables is a guarantee for a market penetration for this technology.

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 - The demand has to be maid by the system owner or operator. A formal “connection demand” has to be maid to connect the system to electric distribution grid. The demand has to be maid to the national distribution grid operator (ENEDIS) or to the local / regional grid operator (depending on the geographical location of the system. The demand is than instructed by the grid operator who is making a simplified feasibility study for the connection. The operator can demand a complete feasibility study if necessary. After the instruction of the demand, the grid operator makes a formal connection proposition to the electricity producer (FC system owner or operator). The proposition indicates the connection solution proposed, the connecting points, the specific technical requirements, the costs for the system operator / owner and the proposed delays and agenda for realising the connection work.
Question 1 Agreement required? b - Model text?
b - Example of model text for a connection demand : – for systems having a maximum nominal power under or equal to 36 kVA http://www.enedis.fr/sites/default/files/Enedis–FOR–CF_15E.pdf – for systems having a maximum power equal or over 36 kVA and equal or under 250 kVA (connection to the grid at “low voltage”) http://www.enedis.fr/sites/default/files/Enedis–FOR–CF_14E.pdf – for systems having a maximum power higher than 250 kVA (the connection to the grid must be done at “high voltage”) http://www.enedis.fr/sites/default/files/Enedis–FOR–CF_13E.pdf
Question 1 Agreement required? c - How much time does it take?
c - The instruction time for the demand is: – 6 weeks for a connection at “low voltage”; – 3 month for the connection at “high voltage” For the realisation of the connection itself, it will largely depend on the location of the connecting point and the power of the system (need for additional work on the grid equipment).. An estimative delay of 2 to 4 month can be estimated.
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: a - all cases
a - All the requirements and equipment needed for the connection are part of the “connection agreement” and installed by the grid operator. The main critical equipment’s are the metering device and the protection device t
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: b - additional requirements in case where all produced electricity is sold (injected)
b - No technical additional requirements
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: c - additional Requirements in case when only surplus electricity is sold (injected)
c - No technical additional requirements
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: d - additional requirements in case of self-consumption (no injection in the grid)
d - No additional requirements if the electricity is self consumed.and the building or site is not connected to the grid. In the case of self consumption with additional consumption of electricity from the grid, a metering system for the consumed electricity from the grid has and a protection system have to be installed ,
Question 3 Who can do the connection work (professional skills requirement)?
The distribution grid operator does following work; – connection between the metering and protection systems and the grid; the system owner or operator can do the work itself or contract with an approved professional to do following workingsteps: – connection of the FC system to the metering and / or protection system – installation of the FC system The professional must have a professional degree for installation electric systems. The type of approval needed will depend on the voltage and intensity of the current delivered. For fuel cell systems delivering a current at voltages below 1000 V and 63 A of alternative current, the normal professional qualification of an electric professional is sufficient.
Question 4 Technology to be compared with: Difference of treatment between the Fuel cells and the benchmark technology.
Combustion engine m–CHP Sterling engine m–CHP Photovoltaic production units micro–wind power production units micro(hydraulic power units Basically there are no technical differences for the connection of these technologies. The contracts are the same.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
m–CHP

National legislation: