Flexible Capacity

Flexible capacity is the ability to temporarily adjust electricity consumption or production to the needs of the electricity grid. This means that an installation consumes less power, generates more, or temporarily shuts down at specific times. Flexible capacity helps keep the grid in balance and prevents overloading — also known as grid congestion.

Examples of flexible capacity:

• A cooling system or pump that is temporarily switched off without interrupting operations
• A battery that discharges during peak hours and charges during off-peak times
• A CHP unit that supplies extra electricity during periods of high grid demand
• A production process that is shifted to a less congested time of day

Flexibility in the market: CBC and redispatch

In the context of congestion management, grid operators use two main mechanisms to deploy flexible capacity:

• Capacity-Based Contracts (CBCs) — used in the day-ahead market
  These contracts specify in advance how much flexible capacity will be available in a specific grid area.

• Redispatch — used in the intraday market
  This allows for short-term activation of flexibility based on real-time grid loads and market data.

Both mechanisms are aimed at temporarily increasing transport capacity in areas with actual or anticipated congestion.

What are the benefits of offering flexible capacity?

• You receive financial compensation for your flexibility
• You contribute to a more reliable electricity grid
• You help enable new grid connections in congested areas
• You make smarter use of your own installations or processes
• You strengthen your position in a growing congestion market

Getting started with flexible capacity

Do you have controllable capacity? Then consider signing a CBC contract with your grid operator, or get in touch with a Congestion Service Provider (CSP). They can help you make your flexibility available to the market — and contribute to solving grid congestion.

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