Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content

System operation

European Stakeholder Committees (ESCs)

European Stakeholder Committees (ESCs) have been established to inform and consult stakeholders about the requirements in the guidelines/network codes during the implementation period.
 
The System Operation network codes aim to develop a harmonised system operation regime considering past experiences (e.g. coordination issues) and future challenges (renewable energy sources penetration), enabling at the same time the proper functioning and technical evolution of the European electricity market and transmission network through coordinated action from TSOs, DSOs and grid users.        
      

System Operation covers the complete area of activities for operating electric power systems, including security, control and quality in terms of fixed technical standards, principles and procedures, but also the synchronous operation of interconnected power systems. System Operation covers the following areas for network codes according to Article 8(6) (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Regulation No (EC) 714/2009, set out respectively below:    

  • network security and reliability rules including rules for technical transmission reserve capacity for operational network security;     
  • data exchange and settlement rules;     
  • ​interoperability rules;     
  • operational procedures in an emergency;     
On 4 May 2016, the draft guideline on electricity transmission sytem operation received a positive vote in comitology. The draft guideline is due to be adopted over the course of the following months, afterwhich it shall becoming binding and applicable in all Member States.        
     
 

The guideline lays down rules and requirements for the purpose of safeguarding a good level of operational security, frequency, quality and efficient use of the interconnected system and resources.         

The rules and requirements shall apply to the following significant grid users:     

  • existing and new power generating modules classified as type B, C and D in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 5 of the Commission Regulation establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection;      
  • existing and new transmission connected demand facilities;      
  • existing and new transmission connected closed distribution systems;      
  • existing and new demand facilities, closed distribution systems and third parties in case where they provide demand response directly to the TSO according to the criteria in Article 27 of the Commission Regulation establishing a network code on demand connection;      
  • providers of redispatching of power generating modules or demand facilities by means of aggregation and providers of active power reserve in accordance with Chapter 8; and      
  • existing and new HVDC systems according to the criteria in Article 3(1) of the Commission Regulation establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of high voltage direct current systems and direct current-connected power park modules.     
Since the network code is drafted as a guideline, it aims to provide a "minimum degree of harmonisation" and therefore leaves certain details to further implementation procedures at national level. These details include the terms and conditions or methodologies which are to be developed by the TSOs and approved by the respective NRAs. Among these terms and conditions or methodologies, there are:    
 
    
  • the key organizational requirements, roles and responsibilities in relation to data exchange related operational security;
  • the methodology for building the  common grid models; and
  • the methodology for coordinating operational security analysis.    
On 24 October 2016, the draft network code on electricity emergency and restoration received a positive vote in comitology. The draft network code is due to be adopted over the course of the following months, afterwhich it shall becoming binding and applicable in all Member States.        
     

The purpose of the network code is safeguarding operational security, preventing the propagation or deterioration of an incident to avoid a widespread disturbance and the blackout state as well to allow for the efficient and rapid restoration of the electricity system from the emergency or blackout.