Net-Metering (scambio sul posto)

Updated: 07.02.2019

Author: Jasmin Schwarz

The “Scambio sul Posto” is a form of auto-comsumption that allows prosumers to offset the electricity produced and fed into the network at a certain moment with the energy taken from the grid and used. Therefore, the electricity system is used as a tool for the virtual storage of electricity produced but not self-consumed in the moment in which it is produced. The “scambio sul posto” can be combined with tax deductions, but cannot be combined with the “Ritiro Dedicato”.

In Italy, RES-E producers can make use of the Scambio sul Posto if their plant’s capacity does not exceed 500 kW (Art. 2bis,2 e 612/2014/R/eel) The principle of Scambio sul Posto is based on the balance of the energy fed in and consumed (Art. 1, 2 570/2012/R/efr). Under scambio sul posto, the plant operator pays the supplier for the electricity consumed, while GSE gives credit for the electricity fed in. This method can lead to a surplus on behalf of the plant operator (Art. 1 par. 1 a 570/2012/R/efr). The balance is calculated once a year (Art. 8 par. 2 570/2012/R/efr). More specifically, the owner of such plants will receive a compensation equal to the difference between the value of electricity exported to the grid (e.g. for PV installations the energy fed in during daytime) and the value of the electricity consumed in a different period. If more energy is fed in than consumed, plant operators are entitled to have an economic compensation, (Art. 6 570/2012/R/efr). If they feed in less than they consume, the difference is subject to a payment. Plant operators receive credit for the produced electricity. This credit will be available for an unlimited period of time (Art. 6 par. 7 570/2012/R/efr).

Eligible technologies

All plants generating up to 500 kW are eligible, regardless of the technology used. Plants commissioned before 31 December 2007 were only eligible if they generation capacity was up to 20 kW, while plants commissioned before 31 December 2014 could be eligible if they generation capacity did not exceed 200 kW (Art. 2bis.3 d, e and f 570/2012/R/efr). Since 1 January 2009, Scambio Sul Posto also applies to CHP stations with an output of up to 200 KW. Hybrid plants are also eligible in case their non-renewable generation is below 5% (Art. 2 par. 2 570/2012/R/efr).  In order for Scambio Sul Posto to apply, electricity must be supplied to and received from the grid at one and the same connection point (Art. 1 ARG/elt 570/2012/R/efr). L 99/09 was introduced to enable municipalities with less than 20,000 inhabitants and the Defense Ministry to make use of net metering without being obliged to use the same connection point to supply and receive electricity (Art. 27 par. 4 L 99/09).

Wind energy

Eligible (Art. 2 DL 387/03).

Solar energy

Eligible (Art. 2 DL 387/03).

Geothermal energy

Eligible (Art. 2 DL 387/03).

Biogas

Eligible (Art. 2 DL 387/03).

Hydro-power

Eligible (hydro, tidal and wave) (Art. 2 DL 387/03).

Biomass

Eligible (Art. 2 DL 387/03).

Amount

Plant operators receive as much energy for free as they produce (Art. 6 par. 2 570/2012/R/efr). Furthermore, in case the electricity fed in the grid is more than the one taken from the grid, plant operators are entitled to have an economic compensation, based on the formulas in Art. 6, 570/2012/R/efr.

Addressees

Entitled party. The persons entitled are the operators of plants generating up to 500 kW and high-efficiency CHP stations with a capacity of up to 200 kW. Operators of renewable energy plants commissioned before 31 December 2007 were only eligible if they generation capacity was up to 20 kW, while operators of plants commissioned before 31 December 2014 could be eligible if they generation capacity did not exceed 200 kW (Art. 2bis.3 d, e and f 570/2012/R/efr). 

Obligated party. The obligated party is GSE (Gestore Servizi Energetici) (Art. 3 par. 1 570/2012/R/efr). GSE is also responsible for measuring the electricity exported to the grid (Art. 6 par. 1 570/2012/R/efr).

Procedure

Process flow

A given plant operator is contractually entitled to net-metering against the grid operator.

Plant operators shall submit an application to the GSE as defined by the GSE and positively verified by the directorate of the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Grids and Environment (ARERA). Following reception of the application, the GSE verifies that all the requirements to be eligible for the net metering are met. Then, the GSE reaches an agreement with the plant operator comprising the connection and the respective time frames (Art. 3 par. 2 and 3 of Annex A, 570/2012/R/efr).

Competent authority

GSE assesses the information and data submitted by the producers (Art. 9 570/2012/R/efr).

Distribution of costs

Plant operator

Since 1 January 2015, RES plant operators that present, for at least one day during the year, a valid Net-Metering Convention - except for facilities with a capacity up to 3 kW - must pay to GSE a fee to cover the costs of management, verification and control.

Tariffs are applied annually. There is a fixed fee of € 30 per each Net-Metering Convention and a variable fee depending on the RES plant capacity. Variable fee is about € 1 /kW and only applies for RES units with a capacity between 20 kW and 500 kW.

For cases in which net metering is used under several offtake and injection points, an additional contribution of € 4/year for each connection point applies (DM 24/12/2014).

Italy

Further information

Basic information on legal sources