System Operation
The SO Regulation
The SO Regulation provides the rules and standards to ensure the required level of operational security, frequency, quality and efficient use of the interconnected system and resources. The SO Regulation entered into force on 14 September 2017.
Click here for information on the incident on the power system separation of Iberia from Continental Europe on 24 July 2021.
Click here for information on the continental Europe electricity system separation (8th January 2021) incident.
Click here for information on the incident in the Polish power system on 17 May 2021.
System Operation
The core elements
The SO Regulation applies to significant grid users that are further characterised as (new or existing):
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power generating modules classified as type B, C and D
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transmission connected demand facilities
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transmission connected closed distribution systems
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demand facilities, closed distribution systems and third parties in case they provide demand response directly to the TSO
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high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, as well as,
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providers of redispatching of power generating modules or demand facilities by means of aggregation and providers of active power reserve.
The network code provides a minimum degree of harmonisation and leaves certain details to further implementation procedures at regional level. This also applies to terms and conditions, as well as to methodologies, in connection to:
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key organisational requirements, roles and responsibilities related to data exchange and operational security
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methodology for building the common grid models
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methodology for coordinating operational security analysis.
System Operation
Terms, conditions and methodologies
The SO Regulation defines obligations for TSOs, regulatory authorities and ACER on the development and approval of terms and conditions and methodologies, as well as describing their adoption process. These rules contribute to ensuring security, facilitating the establishment and functioning of the Union's internal electricity market and the integration of renewable energy sources, as well as allowing a more efficient usage of the network and increasing competition for the benefit of consumers.
Terms and conditions and methodologies can be subject to the approval of:
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All regulatory authorities
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Regulatory authorities of a specific region
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Individually at the Member states' level
The TSOs' proposal should be consulted upon and submitted to the relevant regulatory authorities for approval. The proposal should contain a timescale for implementation and expected impact on the Regulation's objectives.
The NRAs involved should take decisions within six months after receiving the proposal. In case of disagreement, the regulatory authorities can request an amendment, allowing TSOs two more months for adjustments and additional two months for the regulatory authorities to approve the revised proposal. If the NRAs do not reach a unanimous agreement, or if they jointly request so, ACER can adopt a decision within six months from the referral.
Once the terms and conditions or methodologies are adopted, they can be amended after the request of the relevant TSO or NRA. In this case, the proposals for adjustments should be submitted for consultation and undergo a new approval procedure.
The implementation table provides more details on the latest updates.
Methodology for Coordinating Operational Security Analysis (CSAM)
The Coordinating Operational Security Analysis Methodology (CSAM) guarantees the safe execution of operational activities within the European Union's power system by outlining provisions and requirements for all Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Regional Coordination Centres (RCCs) to:
- Facilitate effective coordination of system operation and operational planning.
- Ensure transparency and reliability of information regarding transmission system operation.
- Promote efficient operation of the electricity transmission system across the Union.
First ACER Decision
On 19 June 2019 ACER adopted the first Decision No 07/2019 on CSAM. This Decision took into consideration inputs received in an ACER public consultation (which ran from 25 January until 18 February 2019).
This Decision allowed 18 months (i.e. until 18 December 2020) for TSOs to develop detailed rules to:
- Include remedial actions in individual grid models (Article 21).
- Coordinate cross-border relevant network elements (XNEs) and remedial actions (XRAs) in overlapping zones (Article 27).
- Share costs for XNEs and XRAs in overlapping zones (Inter-CCR) (Article 27).
In January 2023, ACER published a Corrigendum to correct a typographical error in Annex I of Decision No 07/2019.
Amendments to CSAM
First amendment: Following a public consultation (in summer 2020) organised by ENTSO-E (on behalf of all TSOs), ENTSO-E submitted a proposal to ACER to amend the CSAM in December 2020. In June 2021, with its Decision No 07/2021, ACER amended the CSAM.
Second amendment: In early summer 2023, ENTSO-E (on behalf of all TSOs) ran a public consultation to consult on new amendments to CSAM. In November 2023, ENTSO-E submitted to ACER its proposal to amend the methodology.
ACER Decision on ENTSO-E proposal is expected to be published in late April 2024.
Methodology for assessing the relevance of assets for outage coordination
All TSOs must develop a proposal for a methodology at least per synchronous area, evaluating the relevance of outage coordination's assets (RAOCM) and submit it to all the regulatory authorities for approval and to ACER for information.
Action 1: In September 2018, all TSOs submitted the proposal for RAOCM to all the regulatory authorities and to ACER.
Action 2: In December 2018, all regulatory authorities requested ACER to adopt a decision on the Proposal.
Action 3: From 25 January to 18 February 2019 ACER conducted a formal public consultation in order to obtain a wider view from stakeholders.
Action 4: In Spring 2019, ACER engaged with TSOs and NRAs and informed them about the decision.
Action 5: In June 2019, ACER adopted a decision on the proposal for RAOCM.
The RAOCM is expected to be implemented within three months after ACER's decision.
Approved proposal for coordinating operational security analysis
Methodology for regional operational security coordination - CORE Region
All CORE TSOs must develop a proposal for a methodology for regional operational security coordination (ROSC) and submit it to all CORE regulatory authorities for approval. The methodology should aim at the regional standardisation of operational security analysis for Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (the CORE region).
Action 1: In December 2019, all CORE TSOs submitted the proposal for the ROSC to all regulatory authorities.
Action 2: In June 2020, all CORE regulatory authorities requested ACER to adopt a decision on the proposal.
Action 3: In September 2020, ACER conducted a formal public consultation in order to obtain a wider view from stakeholders.
Action 4: From July to October 2020, ACER engaged with TSOs and NRAs and informed them about the decision.
Action 5: In December 2020, ACER adopted a decision on the Methodology for Regional Operational Security Coordination for the Core Capacity Calculation Region.
The ROSC is expected to be implemented in two steps. Find more details on these steps within the approved methodology.
Methodology for regional operational security coordination - SEE Region
All SEE TSOs must develop a proposal for a methodology for regional operational security coordination (ROSC) and submit it to all SEE regulatory authorities for approval. The methodology should aim at the regional standardisation of operational security analysis for Bulgaria, Greece and Romania (the SEE region).
Action 1: In December 2019, all SEE TSOs submitted the proposal for the ROSC to all regulatory authorities.
Action 2: In October 2020, all SEE regulatory authorities requested ACER to adopt a decision on the proposal.
Action 3: In October 2020, ACER engaged with TSOs and NRAs and informed them about the decision.
Action 4: In December 2020, ACER adopted a decision on the Methodology for Regional Operational Security Coordination for the SEE Capacity Calculation Region.
The ROSC is expected to be implemented in two steps. Find more details on these steps within the approved methodology.