Electricity storage plays a key role in modern energy. Energy law regulations regulate the conditions for connecting energy storage to the distribution network of micro-installations and define the principles of their operation on electricity markets. Investors, power system operators and storage users should be familiar with the applicable regulations that affect the development of renewable energy sources and effective storage of electricity. In Poland, more and more companies and households are deciding to install them, but what regulations govern this technology? Check what is worth knowing about the current regulations regarding energy storage.
What regulations govern electricity storage?
According to the applicable provisions of energy law, an electricity storage facility is an installation used to store accumulated energy and its later use. Distribution system operators determine the conditions for connecting storage facilities to the power grid.
The basic regulations arise from:
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Energy Law , which specifies the rules for the functioning of the energy market, including regulations regarding the storage of electricity. It specifies technical requirements, procedures for connecting to the power grid and the obligations of power system operators in the field of integration of energy storage facilities.
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Construction Law , which regulates formal issues related to the construction and installation of energy storage facilities. Depending on their power and capacity, investors may be required to obtain a building permit or meet certain safety and construction standards.
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Regulations on the development of renewable energy sources , which support the integration of energy storage with renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic installations. They enable the efficient use of stored energy, increased self-consumption and the stabilization of the distribution network.
Energy storage capacity and legal regulations
The installed capacity of the energy storage and the contractual capacity are of significant importance when determining the technical conditions for connection to the DSO network. The power system operator may specify additional requirements for the capacity and capacity of the energy storage.
Energy storage capacity rules include:
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Storage facilities with a capacity greater than 10 MW require a license issued by the Energy Regulatory Office,
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Storage facilities integrated with a photovoltaic micro-installation with an installed capacity of up to 50 kW do not require additional permits,
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The distribution networks of micro-installations must meet the standards specified in energy law to enable the connection of an energy storage facility.
Energy storage and distribution networks
Energy storage is gaining importance in Poland, and regulations allow for increasingly easy integration of these systems with the distribution network of micro-installations. Thanks to the new regulations, it is possible to manage surplus energy more effectively and increase its self-consumption. In order for an energy storage to be connected to the network, it must meet certain balancing standards and technical requirements specified by the distribution system operator.
Energy storage is a fully integrated element of the network, which means that it stabilizes the voltage in the OSD network, optimizes the balancing of electricity and increases the self-consumption of energy from the photovoltaic installation. Thanks to this, it improves the reliability of the power system and enables more effective management of surplus electricity. In combination with dynamically developing technologies and financial support, energy storage is becoming an increasingly profitable solution for households and companies.
Investment costs and requirements for investors
The costs of investing in energy storage depend on many factors, including the capacity of the system, the type of technology used and the installation location. The selection of the appropriate technological solution, such as lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries or flow technologies, has a direct impact on the total cost of the investment. Equally important are the expenses related to the connection infrastructure and energy management systems.
For investors, it is also crucial to consider potential sources of financing. In Poland, there are various subsidy programs and tax reliefs available to support the development of renewable energy sources and energy storage. It is possible to obtain national and EU subsidies, as well as to take advantage of preferential loans supporting investments in energy infrastructure.
Entrepreneurs and individuals planning to invest in energy storage facilities should pay special attention to:
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Provisions regarding the application of the distribution system operator , which specify the conditions for connecting the energy storage to the network and the technical requirements,
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The obligation to obtain a building permit for larger installations , as in some cases it is necessary to meet certain legal and construction standards,
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Possibility of taking advantage of tax reliefs , which can significantly reduce investment costs, especially in the case of installations supporting RES systems.
Investing in energy storage is a step towards greater energy independence, lower operating costs and improved stability of energy supplies. Proper planning and knowledge of legal regulations allow for maximum use of the benefits of this technology.
The future of energy storage in Poland
Energy storage is key to the stability of the power grid and the development of renewable energy sources. The European Commission and the Ministry of Climate are planning further simplification of regulations to facilitate investments in electricity storage facilities. Among the planned changes is the introduction of new regulations regarding the integration of energy storage facilities with the electricity grid and the simplification of procedures related to their connection.
The planned changes to the energy law are intended to increase the flexibility of the power system and enable the storage of surplus electricity without additional financial burdens. Another significant change may be the clarification of the energy balancing rules, which will allow prosumer users to use energy stored in storage more efficiently.
There are also planned changes to the building law that may eliminate the need to obtain a building permit for smaller energy storage facilities, which will significantly facilitate investments in such solutions. Additionally, the introduction of new financial support programs, such as subsidies or tax breaks, which are to encourage investment in energy storage technologies, is being considered.
Investors and prosumer users can expect further changes in legal regulations that will allow for more efficient use of stored energy and improved functioning of the distribution network. It is worth keeping up to date with legislative changes and adapting investment strategies to new regulations in order to fully use the potential of energy storage in Poland.
What are the most important changes to the regulations regarding energy storage?
The new regulations simplify the procedures for connecting energy storage to the grid, reduce administrative formalities and eliminate legal barriers that hinder the development of this technology. Integration of storage with RES micro-installations has been facilitated, which allows prosumers to better manage their energy surpluses.
Changes in balancing and settlements increase the efficiency of using stored energy, and planned simplifications in the Construction Law may eliminate the requirement to obtain a building permit for smaller installations. Additionally, financial support mechanisms, such as subsidies and tax reliefs, make investments in energy storage increasingly profitable, contributing to the stabilization of the power system and the development of RES in Poland.
