INDUSTRY JOURNAL Vol . 8
either be exempted from registration , or require registration or licensing .
Utility authorisation includes an application , payment of fees and signing of new contracts covering the tariff , legal , regulatory and technical requirements .
The Utility connection and use-of-system agreement will specify a maximum export capacity ( MEC ) of zero kW . No tariff charges will be applicable , but there may be costs related to the connection to the grid . Any export will constitute a breach of the agreement concluded with the Utility and the supply may be disconnected .
Installations designed to export power into the grid
In this configuration , not all the electricity is used at the installation and some or all of it is exported into the grid for the purposes of getting an energy offset credit on the account or for wheeling the energy to another customer so that they can get an energy offset credit on their account .
This type of generator connection requires Utility authorisation and , depending on the criteria set out in Schedule 2 , will either be exempted from registration , or require registration or licensing .
Utility authorisation includes application , payment of fees and signing of new contracts covering the tariff , legal , regulatory and technical requirements . The Utility connection and use-of-system agreement will specify a maximum energy export capacity in the Utility grid as determined by the customer . Tariff charges may be applicable for the exported energy , and there may be costs related to connection to the grid .
Requirements to legally and safely connect a generator to the grid
In order to get permission to be connected ( be authorised by the Utility ), you will be required to apply for a grid connection , pay the required fees and sign a connection and use-of-system agreement . The grid connection must be technically possible and must be in compliance with Schedule 2 of the ERA , various Grid Code ( s ), Utility technical standards and the SABS national standards ( SANS ), which also govern the safe grid connection . Generator connections must comply with the most recent editions of the documents listed on Eskom ’ s website .
As part of the Utility technical requirements , a professionally registered competent person will complete the ‘ embedded generation installation ( EGI ) compliance test report ’, which forms part of the customer ’ s connection and use-of-system agreement . A copy of this report can be found on the Utility website . The connection and use-of-system agreement will be updated with the publication and commercial implementation of SANS 10142- 1-2:201X by the SABS , covering the wiring of premises , with the specific requirements for embedded generation installations connected to the low voltage distribution network in South Africa .
The Utility has a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of the network , field staff and the public at large , and it is for this reason that the technical requirements must be complied with .
Tariff options
The Utility has a selection of tariffs that are applicable depending on the installation .
Grid-tied generation , with no exported power into the grid
• Customers must be on a time-of-use ( TOU ) tariff or convert to the relevant TOU tariff when installing embedded generation .
• Utility tariffs applicable are Megaflex and Miniflex ( Urban or > 22kV connection ), Ruraflex ( Rural ) or Homeflex4 .
These tariffs charge for consumption using different charges for different TOU periods . Where a change of tariff is required , a new supply agreement will be needed in addition to a connection and use-of-system for the generator connection .
Grid-tied generation with exported energy
• Customers must be on a time-of-use ( TOU ) tariff or convert to the relevant TOU tariff when installing embedded generation .
• Utility tariffs for consumption are Megaflex and Miniflex ( Urban or > 22kV connection ), Ruraflex ( Rural ) or Homeflex4 ( these tariffs charge for consumption using different charges for different TOU periods ).
• Tariffs for generator export are Gen DUoS , Megaflex Gen or Ruraflex Gen .
Where a change of tariff is required , a new supply agreement will be needed in addition to a connection and use-of-system agreement for the generator connection .
Compensation for energy exported into the grid
• If there is exported energy into the grid and this energy is not wheeled to another Utility customer , then the Utility will compensate ( credit ) the customer for this energy at the Genoffset tariff . An amendment to the electricity supply agreement is required to provide this offset credit .
• If there is exported energy into the grid and this energy is wheeled to another Utility customer or point of delivery ( the off-taker ).
Note that wheeling is not available for customer-connected generators connected at low voltage .
All of the above are subject to either exemption from registration , or registration or licensing as the case may be , by NERSA .
All of the above are billed on a monthly basis .
28