The virtual Assosation for Self Consumption - vZEV
A vZEV corresponds to a grid-inclusive connection for self-consumption. In contrast to the conventional ZEV, where all buildings must have one and the same grid connection, with a vZEV it is possible to combine several grid connections on one and the same low-voltage transformer (< 1kV).
In addition to this basic requirement, further points must be clarified as to whether and with whom in the neighborhood a vZEV can be made possible.
These include
Effective network topology
Connection types (socket networks or distribution cabinets)
Step 1: Initial vZEV clarification at DSO
This initial clarification of these topics is requested directly from the distribution grid operator.
It then becomes clear whether a vZEV is possible, and if so, with which participants.
This information must be available from the DSO within 14 days at the latest with a positive or negative response and justification.
Step 2: Determine participants and apply for vZEV
The second step is to clarify interests. You inform the potential participants about the possibility of participating in vZEV. The information about this, as well as the positive responses, should be recorded in writing with signatures for participation, which will later be required for data transmission approval, as well as an attachment to contracts and other documents.
At this point, an official vZEV application with all interested parties must be submitted to the DSO. Within 3 months, further points regarding the vZEV will be checked and completed.
Production capacity must be at least 10% of the supply capacity.
Are all participants behind the same connection point at low-voltage level?
Are smart meters already installed at all locations or not? (Must then be retrofitted)
Further hardware available for local reading of the meter points and/or application for SDTA transmission via Swisseldex available?
After all the above points have been fulfilled and around 3 months have passed, the vZEV can start operating.
Bisherige Modell Landschaft
ZEV: Assosiation for self-consumption
Private metering
Private billing
DSO meter at the feed-in point with bill from the DSO
DSO model:
Metering by DSO
Billing and tariffing by DSO
Balancing on consumption and solar production meters
Normal consumer:
Electricity consumer at the DSO as a house or flat in an EFH or MFH
vZEV Models
vZEV individual building (virtually balanced ZEV)
A building shares a common house connection.
It is easy to switch from the DSO model to vZEV.
This means that the previous DSO model is in principle simply managed and billed privately as vZEV and is therefore detached from the services of the DSO.
Extended vZEV
Several ZEVs or buildings with their own grid connection share the same low-voltage connection (<1kV)
These may now use the connecting lines between the buildings to transmit solar power.
This means that the energy produced in the buildings on the left is also made available to the MFH on the right.
But not to the EFH, as this is outside the approved topology of a vZEV.
The requirements in the topology are defined in more detail below.
Network topologies for creating an extended vZEV
Same busbar or distribution box at the low-voltage level (< 1kV)
All buildings are routed to the same distribution box or busbar at low-voltage level NE7.
Same busbar on the low-voltage side on the mains transformer (<1kV)
All buildings are connected to the same transformer and are connected to the same busbar at the low-voltage level.
Muffle networks
An extended vZEV over several buildings is only possible if buildings share the same muffle (very rarely the case)
However, it is always possible to create a vZEV for a single building on it's single muffle.
Possible members of a vZEV
In a vZEV, different infrastructures from the grid operator and from the private sector can come together. The metering of the various buildings can be provided in different ways and combined into a standardized tariff model in the VZEV.
ZEV as a practical model of the energy supplier (DSO)
ZEV private metering
Single-family homes with solar production
Apartments and houses without solar production
Meter infrastructure for vZEV tariffing model from smart-me
The tariffing of a vZEV is based on the equality of the participants. All participants have the same entitlement to the solar power currently produced.
In order for the tariffing of the different models to work together, selected meter units are required in order to link them as a reference in our tariff.
The following image shows all relevant measuring points that are required for correct balancing and tariffing per infrastructure type.
DSO-Model or vZEV single building
In this model, there is no metering point as a balance meter, neither from the energy supplier nor privately. Therefore, this ZEV is balanced virtually. This requires the metering of all producers and all consumers.
Private ZEV (with balance meter)
In this model, there is at least one measuring point of the energy supplier at the main connection point. The data from this measuring point can be imported into smart-me either via a private sub-metering or via the energy supplier's data hub.
Private sub-metering enables efficient real-time control of the ZEV, which is only possible to a limited extent with the energy supplier's meter.
More about the measuring concept of private ZEVs
House with solar production (EFH)
In this model, there is at least one measuring point of the energy supplier at the main connection point and in some cases also a production measurement. The production measurement must be available for the tariffing of the VZEV. This data can be collected by measurement using a smart-me Telstar as a private measurement or as a data hub import via Swisseldex.
House or apartment without solar production (EFH)
In this model, there is at least one measuring point of the energy supplier at the home connection. The data from these consumers can be collected as a data hub import via Swisseldex.
Measurement data import for energy suppliers' metering points
The measurement data of the relevant metering points can be imported via the Swisseldex data hub. Smart-me is listed as a recipient of this data at Swisseldex
The data is sent by the energy suppliers to the smart-me import data hub via Swisseldex following a request and approval. The data can then be managed, visualized and billed in the respective smart-me account.
Properties of the energy supplier data:
EBIX, SDAT data format
15-minute resolution
Provision approx. every 24 hours unverified
Provision verified approx. every 30 days
