Three MEDREG members consisting of CREG, EgyptERA, and EMRC representing Algeria, Egypt, and Jordan respectively visited the Portuguese regulator ERSE to learn from the experience of the countries which have already undergone the process or have some track record with the distributed Renewable Energy (RE) connection code, battery storage, and smart meters.

Indeed, these three members are facing challenges of security of supply and increasing electricity demand.

The increase in decentralised electricity production linked to the development of renewable energies, the emergence of new uses, the implementation of the national strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are all challenges that must be met to achieve the energy transition at the best cost.

Meeting these challenges and achieving these objectives requires the development of the technical regulatory framework governing distributed generation (Connection code) and the modernisation of the distribution network through the deployment of flexibility levers allowing the management of variable and decentralised renewable energies such as storage, smart meters and smart grids, hybridisation and micro-grids, system services, etc.

ERSE explained to its fellow regulators how it anticipated changes in the regulatory framework, to support the modernisation of the energy infrastructure and to ensure the deployment of new technologies.

The study visit also focused on the development of the technical requirements for connecting renewable energy installations to the low-voltage grid.

It tackled grid code changes, types of BESS, BESS location analysis, battery end-of-life management, smart meters, system planning, and cost benefit analysis along with the regulations related to batteries and their effect on the grid.

Participants learned from case studies that described the successful experience of countries in the different topics addressed, with a focus on the role of the regulator in the process.
They studied the impact of smart meters and smart grids on the reduction of losses, energy efficiency, and demand side management.
Finally, incentive mechanisms for the deployment of distributed generation, storage and smart meters were addressed.