Analysis of European policies and incentives for microgrids   J. F. Sanz, G. Matute, G. Fernández, M. A. Alonso, M. Sanz.   2023/07/20

Abstract

One of the best solutions to face the problems in the current European electric systems is based on the implementation of microgrids as a way of increasing the consumption from renewable energy (RE) sources, improving energy efficiency, decreasing GHG emissions and, as a consequence, complying with European Commission (EC) 2020 targets. In this line, different EU regulations have been established but the particularities of each member state regulatory framework could appear as a barrier. For this reason, it is important to study how member states are carrying out the tasks associated with the penetration of microgrids, studying how European directives are transposed and incentives introduced. Besides, representative projects and demonstration cases for microgrids are shown, in order to determine the feasibility of the introduction of this novel concept in real situations.

Authors and affiliations

J. F. Sanz(1,2), G. Matute(1), G. Fernández(1), M. A. Alonso(1), M. Sanz(1,2)
(1) Renewable Energy Integration Group CIRCE Foundation, Zaragoza University
(2) Electrical Engineering Department. University of Zaragoza CIRCE Building, Campus Río Ebro, C/ Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15 – Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza (Spain)

Key words

Microgrid, policies, incentives, directives, renewable energies.

References

[1] European Environmental Agency, “Are energy losses in transformation and distribution declining in Europe?”, August 2011.

[2] M. Sanz, J. F. Sanz, M. Calavia, J.M. Perié, “Integración de energías renovables para la mejora de la calidad y la seguridad del suministro eléctrico”, Revista CIER, No. 61, pp. 7-17, December 2011.

[3] R.H. Lasseter, “MicroGrids”, IEEE Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting 2002, Vol. 1, pp. 305 - 308, January 2002.

[4] N. Hatziargyriu, H. Asano, R. Iravani, C. Marnay, “Microgrids, an overview of ongoing research, development and demonstration projects”, IEEE power and energy magazine, July – August 2007.

[5] R.L. Dohn, “The business case for microgrids. White paper: The new face of energy modernization”, Siemens AG, 2011.

[6] UNESA, “Emisiones de CO2 en la Producción de Electricidad en España”.

[7] C. Bustos, D. Watts, H. Ren, “MicroGrid Operation and Design Optimization with Synthetic Wind and Solar Resources”, IEEE Latin America Transactions, Vol. 10, No. 2, March 2012.

[8] A.G. Madureira, J.A. Peças Lopes “Ancillary services market framework for voltage control in distribution networks with microgrids”, Electric Power System Research. Vol. 86, pp. 1-7, May 2012

[9] A. Izadian, N. Girrens, P. Khayyer, “Renewable Energy Policies: A brief review of the latest U.S. and E.U. policies”, Industrial Electronics Magazine, IEEE, Vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 21-34, September 2013.

[10] L. Kitzing, C. Mitchell, and P. E. Morthorst, “Renewable energy policies in Europe: Converging or diverging?” Energy Policy, Vol. 51, pp. 192–201, 2012.

[11] P. Brown, “European Union Wind and Solar Electricity Policies: Overview and Considerations”, Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, 7 August 2013.

[12] G. Resch, M. Ragwitz, A. Held, T. Faber, R. Haas, “Feed in Tariffs and quotas for renewable energy in Europe”, CESifo DICE report, 4 April 2007.

[13] Commission Staff Working Document, “The Support from renewable energy sources”, 23 January 2008.

[14] Communication from the Commission, “Delivering the internal electricity market and making the most of public intervention”, 5 November 2013.

[15] M. Ragwitz, M. Rathmann, “Renewable Energy Policies in the EU Member States”, Intelligent Energy Europe, 2011.

[16] Real Decreto 2366/1994, de 9 de diciembre, sobre producción de energía eléctrica por instalaciones hidráulicas, de cogeneración y otras abastecidas por recursos o fuentes de energías renovables. Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 313, 31 December 1994.

[17] Real Decreto 661/2007, de 25 de mayo, por el que se regula la actividad de producción de energía eléctrica en régimen especial. Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 126, 26 May 2007.

[18] Ley 54/1997, de 28 de noviembre, del Sector Eléctrico, Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 285, 28 November 1997.

[19] Real Decreto 1578/2008, de 26 de septiembre, de retribución de la actividad de producción de energía eléctrica mediante tecnología solar fotovoltaica para instalaciones posteriores a la fecha límite de mantenimiento de la retribución del Real Decreto 661/2007, de 25 de mayo, para dicha tecnología. Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 126, 26 May 2007.

[20] Real Decreto 1565/2010, de 19 de noviembre, por el que se regulan y modifican determinados aspectos relativos a la actividad de producción de energía eléctrica en régimen especial, Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 283, 23 November 2010.

[21] Real Decreto-ley 14/2010, de 23 de diciembre, por el que se establecen medidas urgentes para la corrección del déficit tarifario del sector eléctrico, Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 312, 24 December 2010.

[22] Real Decreto 1614/2010, de 7 de diciembre, por el que se regulan y modifican determinados aspectos relativos a la actividad de producción de energía eléctrica a partir de tecnologías solar termoeléctrica y eólica, Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 298, 8 December 2010.

[23] Plan de Acción Nacional de Energías Renovables de España (PANER) 2011-2020, Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio, pp. 49-148, 30 June 2010.

[24] Ley 15/2012, de 27 de diciembre, de medidas fiscales para la sostenibilidad energética. Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 312, 28 December 2012.

[25] Real Decreto-ley 2/2013, de 1 de febrero, de medidas urgentes en el sistema eléctrico y en el sector financiero, Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 29, 2 February 2013.

[26] Ley 24/2013, de 26 de diciembre, del Sector Eléctrico, Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 310, 27 December 2013.

[27] Real Decreto 1955/2000, de 1 de diciembre, por el que se regulan las actividades de transporte, distribución, comercialización, suministro y procedimientos de autorización de instalaciones de energía eléctrica. Spanish Official Journal (BOE), No. 310, 27 December 2000.

[28] Real Decreto 1699/2011, de 18 de noviembre, por el que se regula la conexión a red de instalaciones de producción de energía eléctrica de pequeña potencia.Spanish Official Journal (BOE). No. 295, 8 December 2011.

[29] J. Hoz, H. Martin, J. Ballart, F. Córcoles, M. Graells, “Evaluating the new control structure for the promotion of grid connected photovoltaic systems in Spain: Performance analysis of the period 2008–2010”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 19, March 2013.

[30] T. Drizard, “German Energy Policy: Reconciling Energy Storage and Feed-in Tariffs with Self-consumption Tariffs”, Clean Horizon Consulting, 3 April 2012.

[31] BEK 804/2010, Regulation on Net-metering for the Producers of Electricity for Own Needs, 21 March 2012.

[32] Microgeneration Strategy. Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2011.

[33] Action Plan. Microgeneration Government-Industry Contact Group, June 2011.

[34] J. Muth, E. Smith, “45% by 2030: Towards a truly sustainable energy system in the EU”, European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), 2011.

[35] J. Hsu, “Japan Plants Renewable Energy Village in Fukushima's Contaminated Farmland”, IEEE Spectrum, 6 January 2014.

[36] European Commission, “Skills of tomorrow’s green economy”, Intelligent Energy Europe Magazine, December 2012.

[37] V. Giordano, A. Meletiou, C.F. Covrig, A. Mengolini, M. Ardelean, G. Fulli, M. Sánchez, C. Filiou, “Smart Grid projects in Europe: Lessons learned and current developments”, Joint Research Centre, 2013.

[38] Microgrids project. http://www.microgrids.eu [accessed 16.01.14].

[39] S. J. Chatzivasiliadis, N. D. Hatziargyriou, “Development of an Agent Based Intelligent Control System for Microgrids”, Power and Energy Society General Meeting - Conversion and Delivery of Electrical Energy in the 21st Century, IEEE , Vol. 1, No. 6, pp. 20-24, July 2008.

[40] A. Arcos, “Los proyectos SmartCity de Endesa”, Endesa Distribución Eléctrica, 6 June 2012.