This is what you need to know to execute your energy self-generation project

By implementing a photovoltaic system that takes advantage of all the energy potential that solar radiation has to offer, your company can obtain significant efficiencies by replacing part or all of the energy demand necessary for its operation, and even earn extra income by selling the energy surplus.

But where to start to materialize your sustainable proposal? The first thing is to carry out a Power Generation Study (PGS), an indispensable requirement that by law the network operator will ask from you in order to know how the entrance of the newly generated load will impact the medium and high voltage network. This way you can ensure that the infrastructure supports your self-generation project, and ensure the reliability of the energy system.

Why should you conduct the Power Generation Study (PGS)?

Once you submit the study to the network operator, they can know your company's intention to generate and deliver power to the network. They will evaluate whether the current electrical infrastructure conditions can support the new energy injection, or if will otherwise requires any optimization.

On the other hand, the Power Generation Study (PGS) will reveal the most suitable and closest load connection points to the network, if they have an environmental study and if they are enabled for the new connection.

Likewise, with the EGP you can calculate the investment cost to adapt the electrical installations of your company and your self-generation project. And the operator can also deduct the costs that must be incurred to improve the infrastructure if the case arises, and calculate the adaptation and connection times to the network.

What does it take to perform the EGP?

To find out how existing loads are modeled and project them both inside and outside, the Power Generation Study takes into account your company's Commissioning Study, which shows very precise information about your facilities’ load, its design, the levels it acts on, what the frequencies are, any voltage absences, the protections, among other technical aspects.

And since a new high-magnitude load will be delivered to the network, it is important to know if your company is protected from accidents caused by short circuits, and the way to know is through a Protection Coordination Study, which makes sure that in the event of an electrical failure, your facility protectors will work correctly.

Know how viable your project is

With these studies in hand you can perform the Power Generation Study, which you must then attach to the project plan, and submit the formal request to your network operator informing your interest to carry out the self-generation project.

At Enel X we can advise and accompany you with the planning, design and mandatory studies to build your energy self-generation project, as well as manage your network operator’s approval to execute it.