Connecting distributed generation to distribution networks - Legal and organizational aspects

The term "decentralized generation" is used to describe all low-power electrical production connected to the public transmission network (PSTN) (HVB1) or distribution network (MV or LV). We limit ourselves here to decentralized generation connected to the public distribution network (PDS), which is defined and described in the [D 4 800v2] file.

Since 2000, a new context has given impetus to the development of decentralized generation.

• European Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of September 27, 2001 on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market sets a target of 22.1% of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the Community's total electricity consumption by 2010, with wind and hydro power the main contributors to achieving this target.

The term renewable energies (RE) covers a wide range of production methods and technologies. In terms of electricity generation, these include non-fossil sources such as wind, photovoltaic, thermodynamic solar, geothermal, wave, tidal and hydroelectric power, as well as biomass and waste treatment.

In France, the public authorities have chosen to encourage manufacturers to contribute to decentralized production via the feed-in tariff, while other countries have opted for either tax credits or investment aid.

• A feed-in tariff has been introduced for renewable energy production facilities, waste disposal facilities and combined heat and power production facilities that meet energy efficiency criteria. The feed-in tariffs associated with these different types of production are set to be attractive, thereby encouraging the development of the sector. The power limit for plants qualifying for the feed-in tariff is set at 12 MW per plant (Decree 2000-1196 of December 6, 2000); this limit means that virtually all plants qualifying for the feed-in tariff are connected to the distribution grid, and more specifically to a HTA voltage level.

The feed-in tariff is now based on :

• a system of downward adjustment of the reference cost, to take account of the serial effect of equipment;

• a price revision formula, which takes into account changes in fossil fuels and industrial costs;

• a contract duration that ensures a return on investment for the installation, ranging from 12 years for cogeneration to 20 years for offshore wind power and photovoltaics.

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