With energy sharing, there is always at least one renewable energy producer sharing the surplus energy they inject into the network. But how can this sharing be done fairly among all participants?
We have drawn up a list of methods for calculating the injection distribution among the various participants. The smart meter is essential in this calculation.
You can request a change in the distribution method at any time. For peer-to-peer energy sharing, there's no need to choose a distribution method.
Invoicing method
Each month, Sibelga sends:
- The quarter-hourly and/or monthly consumption and production volumes;
- And the network fees (excl. VAT) for shared volumes.
The project's single point of contact is informed of network fees in the files sent to them each month. Using the amounts indicated, they can pass on these costs to participants in their invoices (at the frequency they wish).
Sibelga then invoices these network fees to the single point of contact, either annually or quarterly, depending on the type of sharing.
- Example of a file with quarter-hourly values.
- Example of a file with monthly values and network fees.
A quarter-hourly calculation
A smart meter must be installed on the premises of each energy-sharing participant. This enables Sibelga to measure, at 15-minute intervals, what has been injected into the network and what the various participants have consumed at the same time. The injection will then be shared according to the method chosen by the members of the sharing project from the proposed list.
The 3 distribution methods
Below are a few explanations of the different distribution methods.
The fixed distribution method is more attractive than the pro-rata method if there are large differences in consumption between participants. But the fixed system using multiple rounds and the hybrid system are fairer and more efficient.
Method 1: the fixed distribution method
This first type of distribution involves distributing the available injection for each quarter-hour period in question according to a fixed percentage. In other words, each participant is entitled to a constant (or fixed) share of the injection defined in advance.
- Example 1: we could divide the injection by the number of participants. If there is 1 producer and 4 consumers, each of the 4 consumers is entitled to 25% of the injection.
- Example 2: a percentage could be defined on a pro-rata basis for the individual investments in the case of collective investment in a production unit, or in thousandths in the case of co-ownership.
The fixed distribution method is divided into two categories:
Fixed distribution with a single distribution round
If we consider example 1, each participant will be entitled to 25% of the injection. In the case of a single distribution round, the total injection for the quarter-hour period will be divided between the participants only once.
At the end of the round, some customers will have covered their entire quarter-hour consumption thanks to the 25% injection they were entitled to, while others will not.
Fixed distribution with multiple distribution rounds
If you choose to apply several distribution rounds, the remaining injection will again be divided between the customers with consumption remaining.
The rounds continue until all the injection has been distributed, or all the consumption is covered, within a quarter of an hour.
Method 2: the pro-rata distribution method
The pro-rata method defines the share of the injection that each consumer will receive, in proportion to the individual consumption for each quarter-hour period.
This means that the injection that consumers receive will depend on the size of their individual consumption in relation to the total consumption of all participants in the sharing project (in a given quarter of an hour).
So, for example, if the participant's consumption accounts for 20% of the total consumption over the quarter-hour period, they will receive 20% of the available injection.
This method means that all the injection available can be distributed in a single round.
Method 3: the hybrid distribution method
The hybrid distribution method consists of two distribution rounds. The first is a fixed distribution round and the second is a distribution round in proportion to the consumption.
- The first round guarantees a fixed share of the injection for each participant. The injection not used up in the first round is then used in a second pro-rata round.
- The second round is distributed on a pro-rata basis. This means that all the remaining injection can be distributed in a single round.
Would you like to set up a different distribution method?
This is possible. Sibelga will analyse whether your request is feasible.