In the current energy context, where sustainability and efficiency are essential, self-consumption has positioned itself as a responsible and strategic alternative for both individuals and businesses seeking to reduce their dependence on the grid and promote environmental respect.
Self-consumption allows for generating energy for personal use and, in most cases, the installations are connected to internal consumption networks, although they can also be integrated into the distribution network to share local production surpluses. This model provides energy independence, as it allows for direct consumption of the generated energy. In cases where demand exceeds production, the supply is complemented by the traditional electrical grid; conversely, surpluses are fed into the grid, which can offer economic benefits to the owner.
Self-consumption presents itself as an alternative for individuals or companies wishing to generate their own clean energy, reduce costs, and decrease their dependence on external sources. The two modalities are explained below:
Self-Consumption Without Surplus
These installations have physical mechanisms, called anti-spillage devices, which prevent excess energy from being injected into the distribution network. This eliminates the need to request access and connection to the distributor’s network, although registration in the self-consumption system of the corresponding autonomous community is still necessary.
Self-Consumption With Surplus
These installations, in addition to generating energy for self-consumption, allow excess to be injected into the distribution network:
- For installations up to 10 kW capacity and connected to low voltage, only a Technical Design Report is necessary.
- For installations over 10 kW, even if connected to low voltage, a Technical Project must be submitted.
- For installations on urbanised land up to 15 kW capacity, no access and connection request to the distributor is required thanks to the application of GEA. However, for installations between 15 kW and 100 kW in low voltage, it is mandatory to manage these permits through GEA, as well as for those with power over 100 kW, which must also include additional guarantees.
This self-consumption system allows users not only greater control over their energy supply but also to reduce costs and advance in the use of clean energy.
Additionally, in this case, there are two figures to consider: those opting for compensation and those not opting for compensation.
The first case occurs when the consumer and producer choose to adopt a surplus compensation mechanism, but this can only occur under certain conditions, such as the primary energy source being of renewable origin, the total production installation power not exceeding 100kW, or the existence of a single supply contract for consumption and production auxiliary services with a marketing company.
In the second case, those not opting for compensation, it allows for selling all the installation’s surpluses to the electricity market, which means they would be producers and not self-consumers, and would have to respond as such. This involves registering as a renewable energy producer in the Administrative Registry of Production Installations and Electric Energy and dealing with the relevant fiscal and administrative procedures.
In conclusion, energy self-consumption presents itself as an integral solution to current energy challenges, offering benefits at both individual and collective levels. This alternative not only allows for reducing dependence on the traditional electrical grid and associated costs but also contributes significantly to the transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally respectful energy model.
