Flow reversal: ANEEL defines new rules 

The board of ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency) unanimously approved, this Tuesday (23), a proposal that aims to resolve problems related to cases of flow inversion. 

The issue had been addressed at the Agency for over a year, shortly after the publication of Resolution 1.059, in February 2023. The entity even opened the Public Consultation No. 03/2024 to discuss the topic and also the regulation that establishes the Clean Energy Program in My home, my life. 

In its deliberation, the ANEEL defined the exemption from flow reversal analysis for systems GD (distributed generation) in three scenarios: 

• The first of these is for grid-zero systems (with or without batteries), since they do not inject energy into the distribution network;

• The second when the distributed microgeneration system that meets the free of charge criteria whose distributed generation power is compatible with the consumption of the consumer unit during the generation period, observing the instructions of the ANEEL (according to simultaneity adjustment factor);

• The third – named by the Agency as fast track – is for cases in which the power of the distributed microgeneration is equal to or less than 7,5 kW, as long as it is characterized as local generation. In this case, consumers must sign a term in which they declare that they are aware that it will not be possible to allocate the surplus generated to another consumer unit. 

The measure taken by the board of directors ANEEL is definitive and should be published in the DOU (Official Gazette of the Union) in the coming days. This provision should amend Resolution 1.000/2021, with the new rules becoming valid for up to 60 days after publication in the DOU. 

Impacts of deregulation on flow reversal in the solar sector

In understanding the ABSOLAR (Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy), the decision made by ANEEL was classified as “frustrating” and “unsatisfactory” for the DG sector. 

“The most frustrating point of today’s deliberation is realizing that all cases that do not fit these three criteria established by the ANEEL, the consumer will continue to be subject to the arbitrariness of the distributors”, said Bárbara Rubim, CEO of Bright Strategies and vice president of distributed generation at ABSOLAR. 

The executive also highlighted that now entities in the sector, such as ABSOLAR, focuses its efforts with the National Congress to obtain, via a bill, a rule that is better for the sector.

For ABGD (Brazilian Association of Distributed Generation), the ANEEL could have been bolder and more realistic by making the flow reversal rules more flexible, promoting greater integration of distributed generation systems.

“A ANEEL has taken a cautious approach that does not fully resolve the challenges related to flow reversal, maintaining relatively conservative and potentially limiting regulations for the expansion of distributed generation,” said Carlos Evangelista, president of the association.

ANEEL publishes resolution on flow reversal in the Official Gazette

What does it say ANEEL?

Through its press office, the ANEEL ratified his decision for the report of Canal Solar, through official vote. 

“In view of the above and what appears in Process No. 48500.003729/2023-28, I vote for (i) approving a draft normative resolution, which improves Normative Resolution No. 1.000/2021, to contemplate the changes motivated by Law No. 14.620/2023 and by Decree No. 12.084/2024, and provides other measures; ii) approve version 2.7 of Submodule 7.3 of the Tariff Regulation Procedures – PRORET; and iii) approve the first version of the instruction manual for preparing and presenting flow reversal studies”, highlighted the Agency. 

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