Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
biogas upgrading plants. The number of plants feeding biomethane into the
gas network has increased rapidly (more than doubled in the period 2009 to
2011) since these changes were implemented.
16.2.1 Special regulations for gas network access of biogas
plants
In 2005, the Gas Network Access Ordinance (GasNZV) introduced a special
provision for biogas, regulating access to local distribution networks, setting
a priority for biogas transport and outlining responsibility with regard to
necessary expenditures. It is important to note that legislation in Germany
uses the word biogas to mean gas after upgrading to a quality often referred
to elsewhere as biomethane.
Following a decision by the German government in 2008, a separate
section - Section 11a on Special regulation for the injection of biogas into
the natural gas network - was included in the GasNZV. In seven new
paragraphs, the special regulations already in effect were defined in detail
for biogas and made grid access conditions for biogas suppliers far easier.
The most important financial factor was the adoption of a clause regulating
cost sharing between the gas provider and the grid operator, as well as
payment for avoided cost of the mains operation by the network operator.
In return, network operators are allowed to recover all costs by increasing
the gas network fees paid by customers.
A new GasNZV and the amended Ordinance on Gas Network Tariffs
(Gasnetzentgeltverordnung (GasNEV)) (Dena, 2012b) entered into effect in
September 2010. The regulation easements were increased again. The most
important provisions are now explained in more detail.
Network operators on all pressure levels in the grid are obliged to grant
priority network access for biomethane. Furthermore, they should grant
preference to biomethane transport clients when feeding and withdrawal
contracts are concluded, as long as these gases are compatible and meet the
appropriate quality standards for the network. The network operator may
only deny feed-in if injection is technically not possible or economically not
feasible. The feed-in of biogas cannot be denied by the network operator
under the premise of an existing capacity shortage. At the same time, the
network operator is obliged to take all necessary and economically
reasonable measures to ensure access to the net throughout the year and
to optimize the admittance capacity. In order to avoid delays in the network
access process, the 2010 revision of the GasNZV includes 'realization
roadmaps', which are to be designed and agreed upon by the network
operator and the biomethane supplier and are to be presented to the Federal
Network Agency (FNA; Bundesnetzagentur in German), together with the
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