Activation for balancing

When your bids are selected, the service needs to be delivered at the specified time. Elia will send you an activation signal for aFRR & mFRR, whilst for FCR you will have to react to frequency deviations yourself within the applicable time window.

The sections below contain a brief summary of the main characteristics per product, but for more detail please refer to the design note and T&C of each product, which can be found on its product page (FCR,aFRR,mFRR).

FCR activation

FCR is not activated by Elia, but directly by the BSP in response to own measurements of frequency deviations. If a frequency deviation is measured, the activation starts automatically and proportional to the deviation from the base frequency. The full activation must be reached within 30 seconds from the start of frequency deviation. The asset needs to react within 2 seconds from the start of the frequency deviation. A measurement is sent every 2 seconds (which will change to 4 seconds in the future to align it with aFRR).

aFRR activation

Activation is centralized and fully automated by Elia, who sends a setpoint every 4 seconds to each BSP each 4-second time step. An activation signal, specifying the requested set-point, is sent automatically eight seconds ahead of each time step, allowing assets to adjust to the required output. Providers must have the technical ability to ramp-up to the full activation in 5 minutes.

mFRR activation

For mFRR, activation is managed centrally by Elia through a manual process. Elia sends an activation request to the BSP, specifying the start and end time of the activation, the type of activation (either scheduled or direct), and the volume of energy needed. Upon receiving this signal, the BSP activates its assets to deliver the requested energy. The provider must reach full delivery within 12.5 minutes of the activation request.