Process to put into service new power-generating modules

After the adoption of the Real Decreto 647/2020, de 7 de julio, por el que se regulan aspectos necesarios para la implementación de los códigos de red de conexión de determinadas instalaciones eléctricas (Royal Decree 647/2020), the Distribution System Operators (DSO) have written the Guía de puesta en servicio para módulos de generación de electricidad conectados a la red de distribución.

To whom apply?

The Royal Decree 647/2020 applies to the Power-Generating Modules (PGMs) included in the scope of application of the Regulation (UE) 2016/631, which are those PGMs whose maximum capacity is 0,8kW or more, excluding:

• PGM related to self-consumption installations that cannot export energy to the grid ("Modalidad de autoconsumo sin excedentes").
• PGM related to self-consumption installations that can export energy to the grid ("Modalidad de autoconsumo con excedentes") whose maximum capacity is equal or belor 15kW located in urban regions (ubicados en suelo urbanizado que cuente con las dotaciones y servicios requeridos por la legislación urbanística).

 

How are the PGMs classified?

According to Article 8 in the Royal Decree 647/2020, the PGMs connected to the Spain Continental have a specific significance level considering their maximum capacity and the voltage in their connection point:

• A Type: PGM whose connection point is below 110kV, and maximum capacity is greater or equal to 0,8kW and smaller or equal to 100kW.
• B Type: PGM whose connection point is below 110kV, and maximum capacity is greater than 100kW and smaller or equal to 5MW.
• C Type: PGM whose connection point is below 110kV, and maximum capacity is greater than 5MW and smaller or equal to 50MW.
• D Type: PGM whose connection point is greater or equal to 110kV, or maximum capacity is greater than 50MW.

 

How should I proceed?

After the entry into force of the Royal Decree 647/2020, the PGM facility owner should request four Operational Notifications to the GRD, which are defined in Article 2 of the Regulation (UE) 2016/631:

• Energization Operational Notification (EON): means a notification issued by the DSO to the PGM facility owner prior to energization of its internal network.
• Interim Operational Notification (ION): This means a notification issued by the DSO to a PGM facility owner, which allows them to operate the PGM by using the grid connection for a limited period of time and to initiate compliance tests to ensure compliance with the relevant specifications and requirements.
• Final Operational Notification (FON): means a notification issued by the DSO to a PGM facility owner, allowing it to operate by using the grid connection. The PGM facility owner should deliver the “Certificado Final de MGE” as is specified in la Norma Técnica de Supervisión de la Conformidad para generadores. For those PGM facility owners that should deliver a “Certificado Final de MGE” issued by an authorized installer (instalador autorizado), we provide you a template.
• Limited Operational Notification (LON) (DT 1ª RD 647/2020): means a notification issued by the DSO to a PGM facility owner according to the disposición transitoria primera of the Royal Decree 647/2020, which establishes the temporary issue of LON until the completion of the compliance process defined la Norma Técnica de Supervisión de la Conformidad para generadores.

 

The following diagrams show the process to put into service new PGM according to their significance level:

You can review all the process and the corresponding documentation in la Guía de puesta en servicio para módulos de generación de electricidad conectados a la red de distribución.