The Chilean Ministry of Energy has launched a public consultation on the modification of Supreme Decree No. 88 , corresponding to the regulation of small-scale generation means, with the aim of enabling BESS storage systems to participate in the energy and power market.
The public consultation will be open for 15 business days, with the possibility of a 7-day extension, so it will be available until the third week of August; while the drafting of the regulations will begin at the end of September. What does the modification of DS 88 include? One of the main focuses of the reform is the regulatory incorporation of BESS systems.
The proposal envisions that these can inject energy using the grid's capacity surpluses, enabled through extraordinary time blocks.
Furthermore, it is established that the available withdrawal capacity for charging batteries may be adjusted according to the demand of regulated customers, which introduces a coordinated logic between operators and distributors.
The Ministry clarifies that BESS injections can be valued at the energy price or at marginal cost, but that in all cases there must be consistency between the injection price and the withdrawal price.
It also enables storage systems associated with Small Distributed Generation Systems to finance adaptation and expansion works to make withdrawals from the grid, in coordination with the distributor.
Another structural transformation is the creation of a new Basic Energy Price (BEP) , which will replace the stabilized price once the transition period ends in 2034, without a market banking adjustment and with annual recalculation. The BEP will be determined based on expected marginal costs and total energy at each national electrical substation, considering both its own demand and the consumption of associated busbars.
"Monthly, the National Electric Coordinator will account for the difference between the valuation at basic energy price and hourly marginal cost.
"And in December of each year, based on the accumulated differences (in favor or against), the value of the monthly reimbursement for the year will be calculated, which will be like a fixed installment," assured the Ministry of Energy .
Another significant change is the extension of the validity period for the Connection Criteria Report from 18 to 26 months, to give developers greater flexibility in completing their design and permitting phases. Monitoring, control, and operational accountability systems: On the other hand, one of the most critical aspects of the new system will be real-time operational management, which will be the responsibility of the Electrical Coordinator.
The entity may instruct direct cuts to PMGD injections when it deems it necessary, although distribution companies may exclude one or more PMGDs from these cuts for reasons of safety and quality of service.
Under this premise, Small Distributed Generation Facilities must also implement mandatory real-time information systems, complying with technical safety and quality of service standards; in addition, the creation of distribution control centers is proposed, under the responsibility of each distribution company, in order to ensure a continuous and coordinated flow of operational information with the PMGD projects.