Entry & Exit

1. The process begins with the application for grid access by the producer to the responsible distribution system operator, with which the producer applies for the initial establishment or modification of the grid connection. According to GMMO-VO 2020, this application must contain at least the following information:

• Details of the property to be supplied (exact address and name);
• predicted annual consumption in kWh;
• if the connection line is to be installed on third-party property, the name and contact details of the property owner;
• Desired minimum and maximum permissible pressure at the desired tapping point in bar;
• connected load in kWh/h.

In accordance with § 75 (3) GWG 2011, the costs for the initial installation for the maximum connection length of 10 km for existing plants and 3 km for new biomethane plants are borne by the distribution system operator up to a grid connection quotient of 60 lfm/m³ CH₄-eq/h. The costs for quantity measurement, quality testing, odorization and compression are also borne by the distribution system operator.

The grid provision fee of €3/kWh/h of contractually agreed capacity for connection to grid level 1 and €5/kWh/h of contractually agreed capacity for grid level 3 is to be paid by the producer to the distribution system operator in accordance with Section 9(1)(1) and Section 3GSNE-VO.
 
The distribution system operator then takes action and informs AGGM of the new grid access.
 
The background to this is the separate provisions in Section 12 of the 2020 Market Model Ordinance for storage, generation and production facilities: "Grid access contracts with operators of storage, generation and production facilities must be concluded in accordance with the requirements of the MADAM if these contracts have an impact on the control of the distribution grid."
Possible effects on the control of the distribution grid must therefore be examined by AGGM. This results in the requirement that the information necessary for this review must be transmitted to AGGM prior to the conclusion of grid access contracts with new systems.
 
For this purpose, AGGM has set up a form in the network access portal for all distribution system operators in order to be able to announce the grid access of generation plants. This form, called "Grid access", can be found in the "Storage/production/biogas" section:

• The required data can be entered via a mask.
• After entering the information, the entry can be completed by clicking "Send to AGGM", whereupon an e-mail confirmation of receipt is sent by AGGM.
• The information entered remains visible and editable for the distribution system operator after it has been sent.
• AGGM then checks the effects of the grid access and informs the distribution system operator via e-mail whether or not specifications for the grid access contract are necessary.

A detailed description of how to use the new form can be found in the AGGM network access portal user manual. 

During this coordination between the DSO and AGGM, the producer can already start applying for an EIC at AGGM as the Local Issuing Office. The code will be required later in the course of the network access application.
 
2. In the next step, the producer of renewable gases agrees the mutual rights and obligations for grid access with the distribution system operator in the grid access contract. In addition to the information already known from the application, the grid connection point, the feed-in point (transfer point = ownership boundary between the grid-side connection system and the customer system), the minimum and maximum pressure at the feed-in point and the metering point designation are specified.If AGGM has submitted specifications for the grid access contract to the distribution system operator, these are added to the contract as an annex.
 
Attention: The conclusion of a grid access contract does not yet entitle the producer to use the grid! This still requires the network access contract and an approved network access application.

The network access contract regulates the use of the grid in accordance with § 27 GWG 2011. Among other things, the following is agreed therein:

• a date can be agreed as the start of grid use that is a maximum of three years after the conclusion of the grid access contract.
• Non-discriminatory and objective conditions can be agreed to guarantee capacity reservation.
• an appropriate payment for the (partial) non-utilization of the agreed capacity from the agreed start of grid usage to the extent of the non-utilization. 

The network usage fee pursuant to Section 13 (2) no. 4 GSNE-VO of currently € 0.12/kWh/h per year is also fixed.
 
3. The distribution system operator then takes action again and submits the network access application to AGGM. This must contain at least the following information:

• start of transportation; in the case of a fixed-term contract, the start and end of transportation must be stated in any case
• Desired entry point into the distribution grid, exact address and name and metering point designation
• Agreed maximum output in kWh/h. Technical and contractual connected load corresponding to the actual capacity requirements of the party entitled to network access
• Forecasted annual feed-in in kWh
• the type of feed-in: biogas - natural gas production - storage - hydrogen - synthetic gas
• desired minimum and maximum permissible pressure at the desired feed-in point in bar
• Metering point designation of the entry point
• Valid EI code of the producer
• Disclosure of the supplier as part of the registration in accordance with the 2014 Switching Ordinance (can be done later).

AGGM checks the network access application and grants network access if there are no grounds for refusal.
In the event of a refusal of network access by AGGM, for example due to a lack of network capacity, the producer or distribution system operator can submit a capacity expansion application to AGGM.
The capacity requirements on which this application is based must then be taken into account by the distribution area manager when preparing the long-term and integrated planning. The necessary implementation measures to provide the capacity requested in the application are defined in this plan.
 
Until the plant is commissioned, the producer or the distribution system operator must submit the component number and the associated balance group to AGGM.

4. At the end of the process, i.e. until the new plant is commissioned, a separate contract must be concluded between the producer and AGGM. The rights and obligations necessary for operational processing are agreed in this contract.