The board of ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) decided this Tuesday (2), by majority vote, to approve the regulation that establishes the requirements and procedures necessary to obtain authorization for energy storage systems, thus concluding the Public Consultation 39/2023.
Different rules will be established for charging network usage fees applicable to battery energy storage systems. The decision creates two distinct pricing models, depending on how the assets will be operated and integrated into the electrical system.
In practice, the Agency opted for an intermediate solution between the different proposals that had been discussed over the past few months.
The approved agreement seeks to recognize the systemic role of batteries operating directly under the coordination of the ONS (National System Operator), while maintaining conventional pricing for projects operating independently.
Role of the ONS
According to the approved rule, energy storage systems installed alongside the transmission grid and operated entirely by the ONS (National System Operator) will only be charged when they return energy to the electrical system.
This means that the transmission or distribution usage fee will only apply to the so-called "output" of energy, corresponding to the moment the batteries are discharged. Charging the equipment, on the other hand, will not be subject to a charge.
The same logic was extended to autonomous storage systems that voluntarily choose to remain under the full dispatch of the ONS (National System Operator). In these cases, the projects will also only be charged when they supply energy to the grid.
The decision represents a recognition of the role these assets can play in the operation of the system, especially in a scenario of increasing participation of variable renewable sources, such as solar and wind.
Double charge
On the other hand, the Agency decided to maintain a more rigid model for storage systems that are not fully subordinate to the ONS's dispatch.
In these cases, billing will occur at two distinct times, that is, both during the injection of energy into the battery and during the discharge to the electrical system. The projects will therefore be subject to what is called dual billing.
The understanding stems from the premise that these assets utilize the electrical infrastructure in both stages of operation, justifying the application of network usage tariffs both during charging and when returning energy to the system.
The definition was one of the most sensitive points in battery regulation and had been dividing opinions among regulators, operators, and market players.
The board split.
The approved solution reflects the dissenting opinion presented by director Willamy Frota, which ultimately formed a majority on the board of directors. ANEEL.
The proposal received support from directors Agnes Costa and Gentil Nogueira, as well as the general director Sandoval Feitosa, who did not attend the meeting in person but registered his vote. Director Fernando Mosna was also not present at the meeting. The decision, however, was not unanimous regarding the ideal tariff treatment for storage.
In April, director Fernando Mosna had defended a broader alternative, proposing that all storage systems be charged only at the time of discharge, regardless of the mode of operation or the link with the ONS (National System Operator).
The proposal ultimately did not prevail, but it highlighted the existing disagreements within the Agency itself regarding the best model to encourage the development of the Brazilian battery market.
New milestone
The decision of ANEEL This comes at a time of growing expectation surrounding energy storage in Brazil. The advancement of renewable sources, the challenges associated with curtailment, the need for greater operational flexibility, and the preparation for the country's first battery auction have increased the pressure for a regulatory definition for the segment.
By opting for a hybrid model, the agency creates incentives for ventures that can operate in an integrated manner with the electrical system, while also establishing specific rules for projects focused on their own commercial strategies.
With this, the sector now has regulatory signals considered fundamental for structuring the first large-scale investments in storage systems in the country.
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