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.
Looking for a CSP?
Maybe you already have an electricity solutions provider, like a trader or BRP? Ask them is they are also CSP, or look for an alternative in the TenneT CSP Register.
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-T | ✓ | ✓ | The CSP plays no role in execution |
| CLC-A | ✓ | ✓ | 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.
Fill in the form next to this text, and our case manager will contact you as soon as possible.
GOPACS is the joint platform of the Dutch grid operators for congestion management. We help keep the electricity grid reliable at times and locations where it risks becoming temporarily overloaded.
We do this by deploying flexible capacity in a smart way. When grid operators expect congestion, GOPACS brings together supply and demand for flexibility. Market parties can temporarily adjust their production or consumption. Through our platform, exactly the flexibility that is needed is activated: locally, at the right moment, and without creating new bottlenecks elsewhere on the grid.
GOPACS coordinates this process, matches bids based on real-time grid data, and always selects the most efficient solution. This creates room on the grid again, companies receive compensation for their flexibility, and the energy system remains balanced.
In short: GOPACS connects grid operators and market parties to solve grid congestion in a targeted, transparent, and cost-efficient way.
A CSP (Congestion Service Provider) manages congestion management on behalf of one or more connected parties. The CSP aggregates flexibility, submits bids, and ensures execution and settlement in accordance with the Grid Code.
This applies to connected parties with a contracted transport capacity (GTV) of 0.1 MW or higher.
It is recommended, but not mandatory. You can also arrange this yourself.
A CSP (Congestion Service Provider) can support you in offering and controlling your flexibility, handling bids, and managing the operational processes related to congestion management. For many parties, this makes participation easier because the CSP takes care of the technical and market-related processes.
If you have the knowledge, systems, and operational capacity to manage this yourself, you can also take on this role independently. In that case, you organise the control of your flexibility and the coordination with the grid operator yourself.
In short: a CSP is not required, but it can make participation easier.
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.
