Flexible capacity means that a company can temporarily increase or decrease its electricity consumption or generation, depending on the needs of the grid. But who ensures that this capacity is available and activated at the right time?
This can be done in two ways: managed in-house or through a Congestion Service Provider (CSP). Both routes have their advantages and disadvantages. What fits best depends on the available expertise, technology, and the level of control a company wants to maintain.
Managing flexible capacity yourself gives you full control. You decide on the contract type and how your processes are adjusted. You also maintain direct communication with the grid operator.
This can be appealing for organizations that already have the technical knowledge and systems to monitor and manage their flexibility. In addition, there are no costs for external services.
Working independently offers maximum autonomy but does require investments in knowledge, technology, and administration.
A CSP takes much of the work off your hands. The CSP manages the technical control of installations, maintains contact with grid operators, and handles the financial settlement. For companies, this means convenience, reliability, and often a better use of their flexibility.
Because a CSP aggregates multiple customers, smaller volumes can also contribute and still generate revenue. Moreover, a CSP is mandatory for certain flexibility products. For many businesses, working with a CSP is therefore an efficient and dependable choice.
A CSP helps with offering and controlling flexible capacity, taking the technical and administrative work off your hands. Below you can see, for the various flexible products, the role of the CSP and whether it is required:
| Via grid operator | By CSP | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLC-A | ✓ | ✓ | The CSP plays no role in execution |
| CLC-T | ✓ | ✓ | CSP can manage activation and capacity adjustment |
| TDTR | ✓ | ✓ | CSP can manage activation and capacity adjustment |
| Mandatory Bidding Contract | ✓ | ✓ | You can conclude a contract yourself; a CSP is required to place bids |
| Redispatch – Free bidding | ✓ | A CSP is required to place bids |
Flexibility is delivered at fixed, pre-agreed moments. This provides certainty and yields a fixed availability fee.
With every market request you are obliged to place a flex-bid. The income depends on market prices.
You offer flexibility whenever it suits you. Successful bids generate a fee per activated megawatt hour.
Whether you consume or produce large amounts of electricity, we’re happy to think along with you. We’ll help you take your first steps, make sure you quickly get in touch with the right people, and guide you through the rules and possibilities of flexible capacity.
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For free market bids via redispatch, GOPACS uses orders on the existing energy market platforms ETPA and EPEX Spot. Participating parties trade electricity by placing buy orders and sell orders on a trading platform. Bids can be transacted across trading platforms. We call this Cross-Platform activation.
If congestion is expected, GOPACS calculates at lightning speed whether orders meet the following conditions: 1. Does the order include location information 2. Does it solve the congestion situation 3. Does not cause new congestion at another location in the power grid
The price difference (the spread) between the buy order and a sell order is paid by the grid operators. This creates a match between the orders on the market platform and thus solves the congestion situation.
The CSP provides congestion management services on behalf of one or more connected parties, in accordance with the conditions of the Netcode. This is what a CSP does for affiliates with a GTV of 01 MW or higher. Read more about the role of CSP’s here.
Yes, even in non-market-based congestion management, deployment of a CSP is mandatory. As an affiliate, you must be an approved CSP yourself or be represented by a CSP. The CSP then submits bids on your behalf.
The connection must be measurable via an EAN code and equipped with appropriate metering equipment. Reliable and up-to-date measurement data must be available, and the flexible capacity must be controllable on request. In many cases, the flexible capacity must be at least 100 kW to qualify for available contract types.
