Public consultation of the study on a technology-neutral framework for the use of Units that cannot be activated following the FRR processes

Context

In normal situations, Elia relies on balancing services, such as aFRR and mFRR, to manage residual imbalances in the system. However, in exceptional circumstances, the available aFRR and/or mFRR means might not be sufficient to cover the operational risks. In line with European regulation, specific procedures are in place for managing such exceptional balancing situations by taking exceptional balancing measures. As part of these measures, Elia can activate units that face technical limitations preventing their participation to the balancing markets. In this regard, Elia currently relies on the flexibility from non-running, slow-starting DPSU (typically CCGTs) available via the framework of the T&C Scheduling Agent.

After Elia temporarily introduced in the winter of 2018-2019, in response to an acute adequacy concern, a product (i.e., the so-called “Winter product”) to attract additional volumes of flexibility from DPPG that did not match the technical or regulatory framework of the products available at that time, market parties requested to analyze whether this product could be converted in a permanent product for balancing.  

Period

Elia invites all stakeholders to submit any comments and suggestions they may have on the documents submitted for consultation. 

The consultation period runs from 20 August 2021 to 24 September 2021. 

After the consultation period, Elia will analyze and integrate in a consultation report the collected reactions from the market parties as well as Elia’s responses to them. Elia will publish on its website this consultation report together with the reactions of the market parties (including names) that are not explicitly indicated as confidential.