Biogas producers
GENERAL CONDITIONS ON CONNECTION OF FACILITY FOR BIOMETHANE PRODUCTION INTO DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
These general conditions are published by the distribution network operator SPP - distribúcia, a.s. on its web site in compliance with Article 11a (4) of Act No. 309/2009 Coll. on renewable energy sources support and high efficient combined production and on change and amendment of some acts as amended (hereinafter referred to as “ Act on renewable energy sources support”).
1. Process of submission of Request for connection of biomethane producer facility to distribution network of SPP - distribúcia, a.s.
1. Phase: „Input communication“
During input phase, Biomethane producer/Applicant for connection provides SPP-distribúcia, a.s. (hereinafter reffered to as „SPP-D“) with basic information on project of injection of biomethane into distribution network. One of important information is localization of place of connection of biomethane producer facility to distribution network. From SPP-D side, basic information on main principles of connection of biomethane producers to distribution network, connection process, procedure of calculation of price for connection and other technical, business and legislative information are provided.
1.2. Phase: „Preliminary feasibility study of the project“
The preliminary feasibility study of the project consists of identification of technical possibilities of connection of biomethane producer facility to distribution network. By e-mail (pripajaniebiometan@spp-distribucia.sk), producer provides SPP-D with:
- exact location of expected production place with GPS coordinates, minimal scale of the map shall be 1:15 000 or higher resolution,
- maximum hourly supply of biomethane in summer/winter season (m3/ hour),
- maximum daily supply of biomethane in summer/winter season (m3/ day),
- expected yearly supply of biomethane
The preliminary feasibility study of the project contains especially:
- preliminary place of connection to distribution network,
- preliminary distance of connection point from biomethane production place,
- type of gas pipeline and requested operating pressure of biomethane delivered to distribution network.
1.3. Phase: „Issuance of technical and business conditions of connection“
Applicant for connection / Biomethane producer sends by post or personally deliver to address SPP – distribúcia, a.s., Section of distribution services, Mlynské Nivy 44/b, 825 11 Bratislava 25, following documents:
a.) Request for connection of biomethane producer facility to distribution network of SPP - distribúcia, a.s. in triplicate. Following documents are inseparable part of the request,
b.) In case, applicant is natural person, data from valid identity card or in case, applicant is foreigner, data from valid identity document. In case, applicant is legal entity, document proving legal personality and to do capacity of the applicant not older than three months, above all excerpt from the Companies Register or other relevant document,
c.) Original of "Letter of attorney" or copy of "Letter of attorney" officially verified, where is officially verified signature of biomethane producer as constituent, in the case when biomethane producer is being represented by another person,
d.) Situation diagram (copy from the land registry map), highlighting location of the future biomethane producer facility on the land, and highlighting the borders of the relevant land and public spaces (recommended scale 1:2880, or 1:2000, or 1:1440, or 1:500),
e.) Extract from title deed or its verified copy, which justifies proprietary relation to property where future facility of biomethan producer will stand. In case, when biomethan producer is not the owner of relevant property, it is necessary to produce, except from extract from title deed, also original of previous consent of the property owner with construction of facility for biomethane production with signature of property owner officially verified,
f.) In case, when biomethan producer is represented by other person, document proving, that biomethan producer has legal personality and to do capacity not older than three months, above all Abstract of the Companies Register or other relevant document.
Documents must be delivered in envelope visibly marked with word: BIOMETHANE.
Based on submitted Request for connection of biomethane producer facility to distribution network, SPP-distribúcia, a.s. ensures within 30 days:
- conditions of biomethane producer’s facility connection. Conditions include data according to Article 11a (6) of Act on renewable energy sources support.
Attention:
Data in conditions on connection of biomethane producer facility are preliminary. Preliminary calculation does not contain costs on settlement of affected estates. If it is found out, during processing of detailed project documentation, that between existing distribution pipeline and place of biomethane production, there is engineering networks collector, two-lane or multi-lane road, railroad without possibility to get digging permit, private estate with no consent of owner with construction of connection pipeline or other obstacles restraining construction of connection pipeline, SPP-D has the right to adjust already sent connection conditions.
2. Technical Conditions for Connection of Biomethane Producer to the distribution network
2.1 Definitions
The concepts already defined in the Energy Law, Regulation Law and in Gas Market Rules and in Operating Order by the company SPP – distribúcia, a.s (hereinafter referred to as “Operational Order”) and in Technical Conditions by the company SPP – distribúcia, a.s. (hereinafter referred to as “Technical Conditions of SPP-D”) have the same meaning as those in these document. In addition to them, for the purpose of these Technical Conditions for connection of biomethane producer the following concepts set up herein shall have the following meaning:
“connection of facility for biomethane production” gas facility which connects the facility of the producer of biomethane with the existing Distribution Network including all technical and technological facilities necessary for ensuring the connection and biomethane distribution (hereinafter known as “connection”),
“Biomethane“ is modified Biogas with technical specifications comparable to natural gas technical specifications in accordance with Section 2 (1) of Act No. 309/2009 Coll. on the Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources and High-efficiency Cogeneration and on Amendments to Certain Acts (hereinafter the “Act on the Promotion of Renewable Sources“
“Biogas“, gas assigned for energy use, emerging from biomass in accordance with the definition as stated in Section 2 (1) (e) Act on the Promotion of Renewable Sources.
“Insulating Joint” element designed to interrupt the longitudinal electrical conductivity of the gas pipeline.
“Cathodic Protection” system for ensuring the sustained negative electrical potential to ground, which serves to protect the pipeline against corrosion (it is part of the anticorrosive protection of the pipeline).
“Control System of the Delivery Station” installation to facilitate automatic control of the Biomethane delivery to the Distribution Network, monitor specified parameters of the Biomethane, remote data transmission and automatic interruption of the delivery in case the specified Biomethane parameters are not adhered to.
“Delivery Station” set of equipment of biomethane producer to ensure the preparation of Biomethane for delivery and the actual delivery of Biomethane to the Distribution Network. Delivery Station ensures the transfer security, adherence to quality parameters and pressure of delivered Biomethane and measurement of quantity and quality of the biomethane delivery including the data transmission.
“facility of the producer of biomethane” facility used for modification of biogas to biomethane which has technical parameters comparable to technical parameters of natural gas. Delivery station is part of this facility.
2.2 Required quality parameters of the delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network
2.2.1 Delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network must meet the requirements and quality parameters in accordance with Section 2.2.8 of Technical Conditions of SPP-D and Annex No. 1a.
2.2.2 The temperature of the delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network must be between +5 °C to +40 °C.
2.2.3 The pressure of the delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network must be in a range of minimum and maximum gas pressure, which shall be determined by SPP-D in the connection conditions (“Contract of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution system”) and/or in the Agreement on Interconnection of Networks. The Biomethane pressure at the measurement place must be stable, with no pulsations or bursts, which could reduce the measurement accuracy.
2.2.4 Biomethane producer is obliged to prove the hygienic harmlessness of the Biomethane before the delivery of Biomethane to the Distribution Network, and at each change of Biomethane production technology. In case of a failure to prove hygienic harmlessness under the preceding sentence, SPP-D has the right not to connect or restrict the distribution of gas from the Delivery Station in order to prevent the delivery of the hazardous Biomethane to the Distribution Network.
2.2.5 In case of delivery of the Biomethane into the part of the Distribution Network, in which the gas is being odorized, the producer will create all conditions to secure the gas odorisation in accordance with the requirements of the Technical Conditions of SPP-D.
2.2.6 The gross calorific value of the delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network must be higher than the minimum value defined in Annex No. 1a. Furthermore, the gross calorific value of the gas in the Distribution Network, after the mixing at the site of Biomethane delivery to the Distribution Network, must be within the allowable tolerance for a homogeneous part under the conditions defined by a special legal regulation[1]. Technical means (especially measurement of gas flow in the Distribution Network at the point of connection), which meet the requirements of this section, are provided by Biomethane producer. Details are determined by SPP-D in the connection conditions (“Contract of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution system”) and / or in the Agreement on Interconnection of Networks.
2.3 The measurement of quality parameters of the delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network
2.3.1 Measurement of quality parameters, temperature, pressure, flowage and the amount of delivered Biomethane is executed at the measurement point of the Biomethane producer.
2.3.2 Measurement point must be located on the output of the delivery station, so that the measured parameters can be clearly attributed to the delivery of Biomethane to the Distribution Network.
2.3.3 Measurement of quality parameters of delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network must be in accordance with the requirements set out in Annex No. 1b.
2.3.4 The measurement specifics of quality parameters of delivered Biomethane to the Distribution Network will be determined by SPP-D in the connection conditions (“Contract of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution system”) and/or in the Agreement on Interconnection of Networks.
2.3.5 Instruments used for measurement and the way they are used must be conform the requirements to generally binding legal regulations and Technical Conditions of SPP-D. SPP-D reserves the right to ensure the gauges with its engagement locking marks against the encroachments affecting the accuracy of the measurement.
2.3.6 Measurement of quality parameters, temperature, pressure, flowage, and the quantity of delivered Biomethane and subsequent verification of measuring instruments are provided by a Biomethane producer.
2.3.7 Measurement of Biomethane quality parameters is executed by a sampling method and subsequent analysis is performed in a laboratory with a valid accreditation for this type of analysis. Biomethane producer bears the costs associated with the analysis.
2.3.8 In addition to Biomethane quality parameters measurement by points above, SPP-D has the right to conduct random Biomethane parameters inspection / measurement. SPP-D bears the costs associated with the random inspection / measurement.
2.3.9 Control and possibly Telemetry System of the Delivery Station must ensure continuous evaluation of measured data and continuous relay of automatic lock position and measured data for SPP-D in accordance with Annex No. 1b. Connection of such system must meet the following conditions:
- transmit data to the master system via TCP/IP IEC 60870-5-104 or,
- transmit data to the Telemetry equipment of SPP-D via communication protocol MODBUS.
The details are defined by SPP-D in the connection conditions (“Contract of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution system”) and/or in the Agreement on Interconnection of Networks.
2.4 Technical requirements for delivery of Biomethane to the Distribution Network
2.4.1 The delivery station can be connected to the Distribution Network only at the site with high-pressure pipeline. Point of connection is determined by SPP-D in the connection conditions (“Contract of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution system”).
2.4.2 The delivery station shall be equipped by remotely controlled valve enabling automatic break of delivery of biomethane to the Distribution Network in case that parameters of biomethane are not in compliance with Section 2.2.8 of Technical Conditions of SPP-D and the Annex No. 1a.
2.4.3 Control or Telemetry System of the Delivery Station must, by using remote valve control, ensure automatic interruption of the delivery of Biomethane to the Distribution Network in the following events:
- Biomethane quality parameters are not in accordance with Section 2.2.8 of Technical Conditions of SPP-D and the Annex No. 1a;
- Biomethane pressure or temperature does not reach the minimum or exceeds the maximum operating value, as determined by SPP-D in the connection conditions (“Contract of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution system”) and / or in the Agreement on Interconnection of Networks;
- that there are no such parameters, which compliance would ensure safe and reliable operation of Distribution Network.
2.4.4 In the event of automatic interruption of delivery of Biomethane to the Distribution Network, the Biomethane producer immediately informs SPP-D about the time and the reason of the interruption.
2.4.5 Repeated reactivation of the Biomethane delivery to the Distribution Network after its interruption is possible only if the reason for the interruption is no longer valid and the parameters of delivered Biomethane meet the requirements, and in addition the renewal must be issued by the respective worker of SPP-D nominated in the connection conditions (“Contract of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution system”) and / or in the Agreement on Interconnection of Networks.
2.4.6 Connection which connects the delivery station with the Distribution Network is equipped with these technical and technological facilities:
- Gas pipeline,
- Technical facility/s necessary for the realization of closing operation in the connection construction
- Insulating joint
- Connection valve
- Valves
- Facility for long-distance transmissions data
- Electric connection
- Pressure gauge
- Main gas valve (manually or remotely controlled)
- Bypasses with blow-off valves
- Facility for gas odorisation
- Facilities of active anticorrosive protection
- Non-return valve
2.4.7 SPP-D determines which of above stated technical and technological facilities will be part of the connection, depending on the particular situation at the point of connection and technical requirements.
2.4.8 Biomethane producer will enable under adequate conditions to place the facilities of SPP-D in the object of biomethane producer.
2.4.9 Main gas valve, which gas-tightly separates the delivery station from the Distribution Network. SPP-D must have an access to this main gas valve, which partitions the ownership of equipment of Biomethane producer and equipment of SPP-D.
2.4.10 Non-return valve prevents back flow of gas from the Distribution Network to the delivery station.
2.4.11 The requirements set out in Article 2 shall reasonably apply to the point of connection with the adjacent distribution network, through which enters Biomethane from the adjacent distribution network to the Distribution Network.
Appendix No.1a
Chemical and Physical Parameters of transmitted Biomethane to the Distribution Network
|
Parameter |
Unit |
Value |
|
Content of methane |
% mol. |
minimum 95,0 |
|
Content of water expressed as dew point temperature of water |
°C |
maximum -10°C by delivery pressure[2] |
|
Content of oxygen |
% mol. |
maximum 0,5 |
|
Content of carbon dioxide |
% mol. |
maximum 5,0 |
|
Content of nitrogen |
% mol. |
maximum 2,0 |
|
Content of hydrogen |
% mol. |
maximum 0,2 |
|
Content of total sulfur (excluding odorants) |
mg.m-3 |
maximum 20[3] |
|
Content of mercaptan sulfur (excluding odorants) |
mg.m-3 |
maximum 53 |
|
Content of hydrogen sulfide (excluding odorants) |
mg.m-3 |
maximum 73 |
|
Content of ammonia |
- |
Not present[4] |
|
Halogenated compounds |
mg(Cl+F).m-3 |
maximum 1,53 |
|
Organic silicon compounds |
mg(SI).m-3 |
maximum 63 |
|
Fog, dust moisture |
- |
Not present4 |
|
Gross calorific value |
MJ.m-3 kWh. m-3 |
minimum 34,9 minimum 9,7 |
|
Wobbe Index |
MJ.m-3 kWh. m-3 |
45,7 – 53,9 12,7 – 14,9 |
|
Relative density |
- |
0,555 – 0,700 |
Note: The method and the scope of measurement of the individual parameters are determined by SPP-D after the agreement with the Biomethane producer.
Appendix No.1b
Measurement of quality parameters of Biomethane
|
Parameter
|
Measurement Periodicity |
|
Gas composition to determine the energy content |
On-line |
|
Alternative, direct measurement of gross calorific value, Wobbe Index |
On-line |
|
Content of water expressed as dew point temperature of water |
On-line |
|
Content of hydrogen sulfide |
On-line |
|
Content of mercaptan sulfur |
On-line |
|
Content of total sulfur |
min. once each 12 months, at the start and end of a trial operation, at any change in technology (e.g. another substrate) |
|
Content of carbon dioxide |
On-line |
|
Content of nitrogen |
On-line |
|
Content of oxygen |
On-line |
|
Content of hydrogen |
On-line |
|
Content of ammonia |
min. once each 12 months, at the start and end of a trial operation, at any change in technology (e.g. another substrate) |
|
Content of halogenated compounds |
min. once each 12 months, at the start and end of a trial operation, at any change in technology (e.g. another substrate) |
|
Content of organic silicon compounds |
min. once each 12 months, at the start and end of a trial operation, at any change in technology (e.g. another substrate) |
[1] Ordinance of the Economy Ministry of the Slovak Republic no. 559/2007 Coll. defining detailed principles for calculation of gas volume units into energy and principles based on which calculation of gas volume and volume gross calorific value is specified as amended by Decree of the Slovak Ministry of Economy No. 60/2008 Coll.
[2] Handover pressure means the minimum required pressure at the point of connection of Biomethane producer to the Distribution Network, which is contractually agreed (must be stated whether it is a gauge pressure or absolute pressure).
[3] The terms of reference tv = 15 °C, pv = 101,325 kPa.
[4] The term absent means the removal of ammoniac and / or impurities to the extent to ensure secure and reliable gas distribution by Distribution Network a reliable operation of offtake equipment and gas appliances.