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 LAP can lead to a more flexible grid

Questions:

Question 1 Agreement required? a) From whom? b) Model text? c) How much time does it take?
No agreement required to inject electricity from fuel cells or any other equipment into the electricity grid, since all utility companies have to supply meters that can measure both consumption and production, and scheme for selling electricity to the grid is in place. The same goes for producing electricity with a fuel cell that is used by the producer of course.
Question 1 Agreement required? a - From whom?
a - NA
Question 1 Agreement required? b - Model text?
b - NA
Question 1 Agreement required? c - How much time does it take?
c - N/a
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: a - all cases
a - NA
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: b - additional requirements in case where all produced electricity is sold (injected)
b - Meter for both buying and selling supplied by the utility company.
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: c - additional Requirements in case when only surplus electricity is sold (injected)
c - Meter for both buying and selling supplied by the utility company
Question 2 Requirement for additional equipment: d - additional requirements in case of self-consumption (no injection in the grid)
d - No permission needed
Question 3 Who can do the connection work (professional skills requirement)?
Electrician
Question 4 Technology to be compared with: Difference of treatment between the Fuel cells and the benchmark technology.
PV
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Since PV was the first small scale production on a broader scale it forced the regulation of the meters on the utility companies. The same regulation is applicable to FCs.

National legislation: