Current system imbalance

Elia publishes information on the instantaneous system imbalance and net regulation volume for every minute of the past hour.

Current system imbalance and net regulation volume

This page provides information on the instantaneous system imbalance (SI) and the instantaneous net regulation volume (NRV) and shows how their average values have changed over the current quarter-hour.

Details of the activated balancing energy and the activated strategic reserve are also published here for every minute of the past hour.

_{Elia Open Data License}

Time interval for data publication

At the specified time, the latest available data are collected and the information is displayed as fast as technically possible. The published instantaneous NRV and SI values may not be the same as the values shown in the graph charting the changes in the system imbalance and the net regulation volume, as the time stamps may differ.

The graph showing the changes in the SI and NRV is only updated if all the information is available for the minute in question. It is updated as fast as technically possible.

All the values published here are unapproved values. They should therefore be used for indicative purposes only.

_{Elia Open Data License}

Legend

NRV
The instantaneous net regulation volume (NRV) is calculated by working out the difference, for each moment, between the sum of the volumes of all upward regulations (including strategic reserve activations but excluding volumes sold on the Belpex SRM) and the sum of the volumes of all downward regulations (including exchanges through International Grid Control Cooperation). The volumes taken into account here are those requested by Elia to maintain balance in the control area.

The change in the average NRV over the current quarter-hour is calculated using all values recorded since the start of the quarter-hour in question.

A positive value indicates a net upward regulation signal and a negative value indicates a net downward regulation signal.
GDV

Gross Downward Regulation Volume, i.e. the sum of all downward regulation actions requested by Elia in a given quarter-hour.
GUV

The highest price paid by Elia for upward regulation in the quarter-hour in question
MDP

Lowest price received for all downward activated products in the quarter-hour in question.
MIP

Highest price paid for all upward activated products in the quarter-hour in question.
IGCC-

Exports to neighbouring transmission system operators in the event of positive imbalances.
SI
The instantaneous system imbalance (SI) is calculated as the difference between the Area Control Error (ACE) and the net regulation volume (NRV). The SI is obtained by taking the activated ancillary services (NRV) – which are used by Elia to manage the balance of the area – away from the ACE.

The change in the average SI for the current quarter-hour is calculated using all values recorded since the start of the quarter-hour in question.

A positive value indicates that there was originally a positive imbalance in the Elia control area, while a negative imbalance indicates that there was originally a negative imbalance in the Elia control area.
IGCC+
R2-
R2+

Activated pre-contracted upward secondary reserve capacity
Bids-

Activated capacity of downward non-reserved balancing energy.
Bids+

Activated capacity of upward non-reserved balancing energy.
R3 Std

Activated pre-contracted Standard upward tertiary reserve capacity
R3 Flex

Activated pre-contracted Flex upward tertiary reserve capacity
Inter-TSO Export

Activated downward capacity from emergency support contracts with neighbouring transmission system operators
Inter-TSO Import

Activated upward capacity from emergency support contracts with neighbouring transmission system operators
SR

Activated upward strategic reserve capacity

Useful links

Open DataClick here to access to access all grid data published by Elia. The data can be easily explored, downloaded in standard file formats and accessed via API’s for use by other applications.

Role of the Balance Responsible PartyFor more information about the role of the BRP and how to become one, and for more details about imbalance tariffs, visit our 'Role of the BRP' page.

Keeping the balance

To find out more about the balancing mechanism and learn how to become a Balance Service Provider, see our 'Keeping the balance' page.

Contact

Any questions about balancing data?

balancing.publications@elia.be

Imbalance prices (1 min)

Elia publishes an imbalance price calculated based on cumulative activated volumes per minute.

Imbalance prices (15 min)

Elia publishes imbalance price applied if an imbalance is found between injections and offtakes in a BRP's balance area.

Grid Data

In the interest of transparency and in accordance with its legal obligations, Elia publishes data about the Belgian electricity market. Return to the Grid Data homepage for an overview of the different sections.

Return to the Grid Data homepage

Balancing data

Consult the data in quasi real time on the restoration of the balance of the electrical system.

Back to the Balancing Data homepage

Current system imbalance