Onboarding BSP

To get started, contact the Key Account Managers (KAMs) to discuss your interest by reaching out to the following e-mail address: contracting_as@elia.be. They will guide you through the onboarding process, of which the main steps are outlined below:

1. Submit the sworn statement and application form for becoming a BSP and arrange the BSP contract after you are qualified by Elia
2. Implement the IT-setup so you can send and receive signals/information from Elia
3. If applicable, arrange the FSP-DSO contract with each connecting DSO
4. Register delivery points which are identified by a meter or a measurement device
5. Prequalify volume if you want to participate in capacity auctions.

1. Sign the BSP contract

Your journey as a BSP begins by submitting a sworn statement and an application form to Elia. These documents confirm your intention and demonstrate that your organisation is eligible to participate in Elia’s balancing markets. 

Once Elia reviews your application and qualifies your organisation, you need to sign the product-specific T&Cs, which officially outline your rights and responsibilities within the balancing market. These T&Cs can be found on the respective product pages for FCR, aFRR & mFRR.

Once the T&Cs are signed, you will be able to login into EPIC, where you can visualize your signed contract. Next to this you will be also able to create all your relevant contact details.

Login to EPIC 

2. Implement the IT setup

The next step is to ensure your technical systems are prepared for a market participation. You’ll need to set up secure IT interfaces that allow you to exchange data and signals with Elia. This technical integration is essential for reliable communication between your organisation and Elia, supporting immediate responses and stable grid operations. Elia will guide you through the required tests to confirm your setup is fully operational.

3. If applicable, sign the FSP-DSO Contract

If your assets or flexible resources are connected to the distribution grid, a contract with the relevant Distribution System Operator (DSO) needs to be arranged. This FSP-DSO contract ensures smooth coordination between you and the DSO, supporting the safe and effective use of your assets without affecting the stability of the local grid. For more information, please also refer to the subsection of step ‘4. Register delivery points’ on DSO delivery points.

4. Register delivery points

Each asset or resource you plan to use as a BSP must be registered as a delivery point. Delivery points are identified by an approved metering or measurement device, ensuring that every unit of flexibility you provide is tracked with transparency and accuracy. Proper registration of delivery points is required so Elia can validate and monitor your participation.

TSO-connected Delivery Points (including CDS)

As BSP, you will need to provide multiple documents before participation in the service. You will need to send them towards contracting_AS@elia.be 

• Grid User Declaration
• CDSO declaration (only in case of CDS)
• Agreements (ToE & Opt Out & Pass-Through) must be submitted by the BSP in case the BRP_source  & supplier is not the same party as the BSP
• Justification baseline method
  • mFRR; Last QH’ or ‘High X of Y’
  • aFRR; Real-Time Baseline Yes or No?

In case your Delivery Point has the OPA & SA obligation, you will only need to provide a justification of your baseline method & energy management strategy

Next to the administrative documents, you must be compliant with our metering and measurement requirements.

For mFRR metering & measurement requirements, refer to: 

• General technical requirements of submetering solutions
• Technical Checklist for Submeter 

For aFRR & FCR metering & measurement requirements, refer to:

• General technical requirements for private measurement 
• Private measurement technical info checklist

DSO-connected Delivery Points
In case you will onboard Delivery Points on the DSO Grid, you should contact the relevant DSO of your Delivery Point. They will guide you through the process on their side (fully described in the Market Guide Flexibility by Synergrid):

1. Signature of FSP-DSO contract
2. Contract Connection Check
3. Net Flex Study
4. Identification Delivery Points
5. Set Up Ex-Post Data Exchange
6. Set up Real-Time Data Exchange

Following documents also need to be provided towards contracting_AS@elia.be via email in case of DSO-connect Delivery Points:

• Agreements (ToE & Opt Out & Pass-Through) must be submitted by the BSP in case the BRPsource  & supplier is not the same party as the BSP
• Justification baseline method
  • mFRR; Last QH’ or ‘High X of Y’
  • aFRR; Real-Time Baseline Yes or No?

If desired, prequalify for capacity auctions

If you want to offer flexibility in capacity auctions, you must first prequalify the volumes you intend to provide. Note that is only mandatory for FCR. For mFRR & aFRR, you can participate in the non-contracted services. Prior to participation to an aFRR prequalification test, each Delivery Point must have completed a baseline test.

Prequalification involves demonstrating that your resources are ready and able to deliver the amount of capacity you commit to, through testing. Only prequalified volumes can be included in bids for Elia’s balancing capacity auctions.

Note that this step is only required for BSPs that would like to participate in the capacity auctions.