INDUSTRY JOURNAL Vol . 8
The Utility , subject to the Utility Energy Banking policy , may also allow banking ( carry-over of energy produced but not consumed to the next month ) by the user / buyer of the energy when there is an offset or wheeling transaction .
Energy may be exported to a related or not related Third Party . This arrangement is also called ‘ wheeling ’. Utility will credit the off-taker of the energy for non-Utility energy at the Gen-wheeling tariff rates . An amendment to the electricity supply agreement is required to provide this wheeled credit .
For customers on a prepaid supply
Eskom ’ s prepaid meters and metering system are not currently able to do time-of-use and export energy . Customers with prepayment meters will therefore have to convert to billed metering with the appropriate TOU tariff .
Cost to be grid-tied
Before an installation can connect , an application must be made to the Utility . Standard application forms are available and they must be completed . The Utility will then issue a quote , providing the connection charges to be paid .
The connection charge will typically cover
• A quotation fee .
• Metering changes .
• Any network upgrades that may be required .
The quote must be accepted , the charges paid and the relevant agreements must be signed , before the Utility will initiate any work to authorise the connection .
Agreements to be signed
Illegal generator connections
The Utility requires that the customer ’ s unauthorised grid-tied generator be disconnected and isolated from the grid to avoid supply disconnection . The disconnection is to ensure that the safety of staff and people in general at the Utility point of supply is not compromised .
Unauthorised grid-tied generators , which are operational , can endanger the lives of the Metro / Municipal and Utility operating staff and the public , and can compromise the quality of electricity supply .
If any incident occurs , whether it involves loss of life , physical harm or damage to any equipment , the owner of the unauthorised gridtied generator will be financially and legally liable for all damages incurred or for the loss of life . Grid-tied generators that have not been given permission for a grid-tie are also a breach of legislation and of Eskom ’ s supply agreement .
Once the connection has been found to be unauthorised , the owner of the generator will receive a letter stating that the connection is illegal . Utility reserves the right to disconnect the supply immediately if remedial action is not taken . Utility has to disconnect any unsafe installations found . Failure to comply will result in reconnection fee charges together with the disconnection of the main supply . Utility will also raise charges to recover lost revenue , the associated costs incurred for meter replacement ( i . e . bi-directional meter ) or meter reprogramming , and these charges will be recovered from the customer .
Moreover , failure to follow the prescribed application and registration process constitutes a statutory offence and the Utility will consider the entire installation to be unauthorised and request that the generator be disconnected until the process has been completed .
The following agreements may be required :
• A new electricity supply agreement if the existing agreement is old or if there is a tariff conversion or changes to the supply .
• Amendments to the electricity supply agreement to enable offset or wheeling or energy banking .
• A connection and use-of-system agreement setting out the conditions and obligations for the generator connection .
Metering requirements
For all installations , the Utility will install bi-directional 4-quadrant meters that measure the electricity used and exported energy separately in half-hourly intervals .
Meters are not allowed to turn backwards ( reverse ). Meters found to be reversing will constitute an illegal installation and will be dealt with as such . Meter replacement costs may be given with the quotation .
Joanne Dean SAREC
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