The French energy regulator, CRE - Commission de régulation de l'énergie, has now decided on the demand and solar injection zones on the high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) grids, for which optional countercyclical grid fees apply to battery storage systems. A negative price in the network tariff rewards 'grid-friendly' behaviour, meaning discharging during the winter morning and evening demand peak in zones defined as demand zones. Conversely, battery systems installed in solar injection zones are rewarded for charging during peak injection times (midday in summer). This optional network tariff is part of the same network tariff determination (TURPE 7, applicable in 2025-2028) that introduced an additional off-peak period in the middle of the day during the summer months for many French households from August 1 this year. This keeps network tariffs in step with changing conditions on the grid, boosting and rewarding grid-friendly energy use. This optional network tariff for battery storage systems (not yet available for mixed sites and/or other technologies, and applicable as of August 2026) has also inspired the decision to allow an equivalent countercyclical network tariff for V2G (bidirectional EV charging) as a regulatory sandbox in France. This makes it possible to minimize grid costs for storage through matching behavior. It is a more targeted instrument than a general exemption or reduction of grid costs, as is the case in other European countries. These types of negative/countercyclical grid fees serve as inspiration and perhaps also as an example for Europe on how to deal with energy storage. | 25 comments on LinkedIn