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Flanders: No Subsidies for Community Batteries, Focus on Flexibility Plan 2030
Flemish Minister Depraetere confirmed the discontinuation of subsidies for community batteries, citing mature technology and reduced costs. However, specific tariff benefits for stationary storage systems are already in place. Community batteries are expected to play a crucial role in grid stability and will be addressed in the upcoming Flexibility Plan 2030.
Flemish Minister Depraetere has provided clarification regarding the position of community batteries within the energy landscape. While no community batteries are currently operational on the Flemish distribution grid, the minister acknowledges the potential role of such systems. There are no longer specific subsidies available for community batteries or other stationary storage systems. This is attributed to the significant decrease in battery prices and the technology now being considered mature.
Nevertheless, facilitating measures are already in place. A specific tariff applies to freestanding stationary storage systems, which includes community batteries. Under this tariff, the components for "Public Service Obligations" and "Surcharges" are not charged. Furthermore, a temporary exemption of 80 percent applies to the transmission grid costs share within the "Grid Usage" tariff component. The minister noted that further compensation for grid costs is still under discussion, with the Flemish Utility Regulator (VNR) being responsible for decisions concerning distribution grid tariffs.
Fluvius, the grid operator, considers a community battery as a freestanding stationary storage system and imposes no specific conditions for its connection. The connection procedure is similar to that for generation installations and adheres to Synergrid regulations for decentralized production. For larger connections starting from 25 kilovolt-amperes, a feasibility study is required to assess the connectability at the intended location.
Community batteries can make a significant contribution to the stability of the electricity grid. They can be deployed to provide grid services, such as managing local congestions and offering balancing services to maintain grid equilibrium. The minister indicated that community batteries can be facilitated through other means, for example, via regulation. The upcoming Flexibility Plan 2030, currently under preparation, will dedicate necessary attention to the flexibility that energy storage systems can offer.
Source: Solar Magazine NL.
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