Introduction to the New Regulations
On Friday, Mexico’s Secretariat of Energy published General Administrative Dispositions (DACG) in the Federal Official Gazette to regulate electric self-consumption for isolated and interconnected activities. These new rules aim to encourage participation in the national electricity system by allowing excess energy sales to a commercializer in the wholesale electricity market (MEM) and introducing new user grouping schemes.
Key Players and Their Roles
The DACG target CFE Calificados and other MEM commercializers with permits to sell over 1 megawatt to the National Energy Control Center (Cenace) when demand requires it. These commercializers will represent self-consumption permit holders (with 0.7 to 20 megawatts) who produce more energy than they consume and wish to sell the surplus at daily or hourly market prices. This encourages renewable energy generation and energy storage for flexible electricity disposition.
Energy Exchange in the Wholesale Electricity Market
According to the dispositions, any shortfall or excess of energy in a system will be exchanged in the wholesale electricity market (MEM). For excess energy trading, requirements for ramp management, intermittency, and variability in the system must be met. This also encourages the installation of energy storage systems (SAE) in power plants, which can sell energy as needed at the spot market price.
Contractual Agreements and Permits
In addition to self-consumption permits, participants can sign an exclusive contract with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to sell excess energy. CFE will determine the technical criteria for purchasing energy without affecting the grid. Autoconsumption can be interconnected with or without excess sales.
Regulation and Oversight
The National Energy Commission (CNE) will grant these permits and has the authority to revoke them if, for a year, a conventional power plant generates less than 50% of its installed capacity or a renewable source less than 30%. The simplified permit acquisition process is available for interconnected self-consumption with capacities between 0.7 and 20 megawatts.
Implementation Details
To perform interconnected self-consumption, a reverse power or low-consumption protection device will be installed in the grid to limit energy intake and delivery.
Red Particular Figure
The regulations acknowledge the “red particular” figure, representing isolated self-consumption disconnected from the national transmission grid, dedicated to proprietary consumption without feasibility studies.
User Grouping and Community Schemes
Groups of self-consumers can be formed among multiple users sharing the same location and utilizing energy in their private grid. Community schemes in micro-grid regime are also recognized to seek self-sufficiency outside the grid with capacities between 0.7 and 5 megawatts, designed for rural areas with limited national grid access.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the new regulations about? The DACG regulate electric self-consumption for isolated and interconnected activities, allowing excess energy sales in the wholesale electricity market (MEM) and introducing new user grouping schemes.
- Who are the key players? CFE Calificados and other MEM commercializers represent self-consumption permit holders (0.7 to 20 megawatts) who produce more energy than they consume.
- How will excess energy be managed? Excess energy will be exchanged in the MEM, with requirements for ramp management, intermittency, and variability. Energy storage systems (SAE) are encouraged for flexible electricity disposition.
- What is the role of CNE? The National Energy Commission (CNE) grants and can revoke self-consumption permits based on generation capacity.
- What are the implementation details? Reverse power or low-consumption protection devices will be installed for interconnected self-consumption, and the “red particular” figure is recognized for isolated self-consumption.
- What are user grouping and community schemes? User groups can be formed among multiple users sharing the same location, and community schemes in micro-grid regime are recognized for self-sufficiency outside the grid.
