Batteries emerge as tool to expand collective self-consumption in France

As support mechanisms for solar come under pressure and power price volatility increases, battery storage is becoming an increasingly important component of collective self-consumption solar projects in France.

Battery storage is playing a growing role in France’s collective self-consumption market as project developers seek to maximize local consumption of solar generation and reduce exposure to increasingly volatile electricity markets.

The shift comes as historical support mechanisms for solar face uncertainty and periods of negative electricity prices become more frequent, reducing the value of exporting excess generation to the grid. Batteries allow operators to store surplus electricity and use it later within a collective self-consumption scheme, increasing the share of locally consumed energy.

French regulations already provide a framework for integrating storage into collective self-consumption projects. Article D315-5 of the French Energy Code treats energy sent to a storage system as consumption within the operation, while electricity discharged from storage is considered generation. The approach allows batteries to participate fully in energy allocation mechanisms while maintaining consistency in accounting for energy flows.

The value of batteries extends beyond increasing self-consumption rates. By separating the timing of generation from the timing of energy use or sale, storage systems can support energy arbitrage strategies. Electricity can be stored when its market value is low and discharged when prices are more favorable, helping project operators smooth revenues and reduce exposure to unfavorable market conditions.

According to French grid operator Enedis, storage systems can be connected to generation assets, consumption assets, installations combining both generation and consumption, or directly to the public distribution network, provided grid connection requirements are met.

However, Enedis notes that a storage system alone cannot constitute a collective self-consumption operation. Such projects must include a participating generation asset and cannot be structured solely around battery storage.

The growing use of batteries is also creating opportunities for more sophisticated energy allocation models. While many collective self-consumption projects rely on dynamic allocation keys, storage systems can support time-based and other advanced allocation strategies that prioritize specific uses or optimize energy distribution throughout the day and year.

The article notes that proposed regulatory changes affecting allocation keys could limit the development of such approaches.

French collective self-consumption specialist Jane is developing projects that combine battery storage with advanced allocation mechanisms, including time-based allocation models. Co-founder Nathan Bouldoires said the company aims to help market participants take advantage of emerging opportunities in collective self-consumption by integrating technologies and optimization tools that could improve project performance.

Enogrid is also examining the role of battery storage in collective self-consumption projects and has scheduled an online training session on the topic for industry professionals on June 25.

From pv magazine France