Korpfs, A. (2019). Electricity net billing systems in Latvia: evaluation and suggestions for system improvements [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2019.72285
The European Union and Latvia have commited to reach ambitious goals in the development of power supply to decrease the reliance on imported energy resources and the influence of the power supply sector on climate changes . The target for the year 2020 is to achieve a renewable energy source share of 20% in the end consumption. The EU targets to reach 32% share of renewable energy in final consumption by year 2030, while Latvia targets 42% in the same time period. One way to achieve this is to encourage households to use low-power renewable energy sources by installing micro-generation equipment, thereby converting energy users into prosumers. Proper and efficient use of renewable energy sources by households contributes to long-term economic benefits by increasing the competitiveness of households while reducing CO2 emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy in overall consumption and stimulating investment in the sector. In order to stimulate the development of micro-generation and increase the share of renewable energy in the total amount, several EU countries, including Latvia, have introduced a Net Metering that is used to regulate payments for generated and consumed energy. The Net Metering is an instrument that fosters efficient use of energy and installation of low-capacity electricity-generating equipment at households. This system may be, and is, implemented in various ways. The adopted exact Net Metering regulations influence not only the profitability of the operation of prosumers but also the power system and the other energy consumers. For this reason, it is very important to set up a balanced Net Metering, which takes into account the possibilities and peculiarities of the power system in question as well as the interests of the community as a whole. The substantiation of such a system is the main goal of the present study. In order to achieve the set goal, the Master Thesis solves the following main tasks: -The current situation regarding the use of low-capacity renewable energy source technologies (solar and wind power plants) at households along with the development prospects of these technologies in Latvia has been assessed; -A review and an analysis of the Net Metering systems in use have been conducted; -For estimating the economic indicators, network models have been synthesized, with connected prosumers, and verified; -By using the models synthesized and the database collected, the profitability of using RES at various alternatives of net metering implementation has been assessed; -recommendations and suggestions have been developed regarding the development of normative acts regulating the Net Metering as well as for consumers and network operators.