Brazilian regulator Aneel opens new consultation on energy storage rules

The board of Aneel on Dec. 10, 2024 opened a second phase of public consultation about the form of national regulation for electric energy storage, including from pumped hydro sites.

The consultation exercise will run from Dec. 12, 2024 to Jan. 30, 2025.

Aneel also determined it will include regulation for the use of energy storage in electricity transmission and distribution, and in consumption during its next review of regulations, for the 2025 and 2026 period.

The findings of the first round of public consultation into energy storage revealed barriers still existed for adoption of the technology, such as a lack of grid access and an inadequate remuneration model.

For instance, Aneel is keen to avoid energy storage systems which charge from and discharge into the grid from twice paying electricity Transmission System Usage Charges. The regulator has suggested the higher of the two levies should be applied. The regulator has also proposed reducing the minimum amount of grid usage required of connected facilities by up to 15%, for energy storage sites, as long as they are not providing dispatchable energy services for the National Electric System Operator.

The first round of consultation suggested storage sites could be considered different to grid connected generation facilities and could be registered with national electricity trading body the Câmara de Comercialização de Energia Elétrica (CCEE) without the need for a granting act. With objectors indicating grant-free authorization could bring fragility into the grid, Aneel has now proposed energy storage projects be authorized under a sub-type of generation grants.

The latest consultation document also proposes revenue stacking for energy storage sites, enabling the provision of grid-reinforcing ancillary services in addition to the provision of electricity storage capacity. Aneel has also proposed the exclusion from the regulation under discussion of pumped hydro sites which are connected to natural bodies of water.

Energy storage associated with micro and mini energy generation facilities has already been authorized in Brazil, by Law 14,300.

From pv magazine Brasil.