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?

Assessment Severity

Assessment

The requirements for connection of a FC–based micro CHP to the electricity grid are no different from those for other small electricity production systems.

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 - Electricity network connection contract and electricity feed contract between the network operator(DSO) and the fuel cells operator. For the connection has to be carried out afeasibility study.

Question 1 Agreement required? b - Model text?

b - Each network operator has a model text for the connection contracts. There are also blank forms for the compilation of required data of a generation plant (micro–CHP) from the design of the connection to the commissioning which are published as an annex of VDE AR N 4105 Application guide of the Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information technologies (VDE). a) Forms before commissioning: – Applying for production system on the low voltage network; – Data sheet – generating systems on the low voltage network; – Proof of conformity; – Proof of conformity for network and systems protection; – Scheme plan. b) Forms after commissioning – Commissioning protocol for the generation plant – low voltage

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

c - 1 – 3 months

Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: a - all cases

a - – Electric meter for measuring of total electricity production – Circuit electric breaker

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

b - – 2 Electric meter a ) One for measuring the total electricity production b) Bidirectional electric meter – for measuring of the electricity exported to the grid and of electricity obtained from the grid – automatic disconnection device between the micro – CHP and the public low–voltage grid serves as a substitute for a disconnecting switch, accessible at all times by the DSO (only for CHP > 100kV)

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

c - – 2 Electric meter a ) One for measuring the total electricity production b) Bidirectional electric meter – for measuring of the electricity exported to the grid and of electricity obtained from the grid – automatic disconnection device between the micro – CHP and the public low–voltage grid serves as a substitute for a disconnecting switch, accessible at all times by the DSO (only for CHP > 100kV)

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

d - none

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

An electrician with appropriate training to install electric devices and special training for live working and connecting installations to the electricity grid. For installations that are connected to the public electricity supply network – and this is almost all that is operated with 230/400 V –, the electrician must also be registered in the installer list of the distribution grid operator.

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

PV systems

Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen

PV systems

National legislation:

Combined Heat and Power Act (Kraft–Wärme–Kopplungsgesetz – KWKG)
§ 3 Connection and acceptance obligation 1) network operators must
1. Connect without delay and with priority the high-efficiency cogeneration plants to their networks
2. Physically offtake, transfer and distribute with priority the CHP electricity.
Low Voltage Connection Ordinance (Niederspannungsanschlussverordnung – NAV)
VDE–AR–N 4105 Application guide – Generators connected to the low–voltage distribution network – Technical requirements for the connection to and parallel operation with low–voltage distribution networks, issued by the VDE – Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information technologies
This VDE application guide applies for the planning, erection, operation and modification of generators connected to the low–voltage distribution network of a network operator and operated in parallel with the network (network connection point in the low–voltage distribution network).
DIN VDE V 0126–1–1 – Automatic disconnection device between a generator and the public low–voltage grid
The automatic disconnection device is used as a safety interface between the generator and the public low–voltage distribution net and serves as a substitute for a disconnecting switch accessible at all times by the distributing network operator.