ACER publishes the first Implementation Monitoring Report on the System Operation Guideline

The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) publishes today the first Implementation Monitoring Report on the progresses made in implementing the EU-wide guideline on electricity transmission system operation (the System Operation Guideline).

The System Operation Guideline provides the rules and responsibilities for the coordination and data exchange between transmission system operators (TSOs), between TSOs and distribution system operators (DSOs), as well as between TSOs or DSOs and significant grid users (SGUs) in planning and in close to real-time operations.

In particular, the report analyses the implementation status of the following areas:

• applicability and scope of the data exchange,

• approval of the key organisation requirements, roles and responsibilities (KORRR) and the implementation of specific aspects of the data exchange,

• agreements on processes and format for data exchanges between TSOs and relevant DSOs,

• provision of data between TSOs, DSOs and SGUs.

What are the key findings?

ACER’s report  shows an incomplete and insufficiently uniform implementation of the data exchange provisions of the System Operation Guideline across the European Union:

• In 70% of the Member States, the provisions on the applicability and scope of the data exchange are either fully or partially implemented.

• The majority of national regulatory authorities (NRAs) reported implementing or approving the KORRR in relation to data exchange. 60% of NRAs confirmed their respective TSOs and DSOs reached agreements on effective, efficient and proportional processes regarding data exchanges and the data exchange format.

• NRAs reported a wide range of parameters and thresholds when specifying the responsibilities of the SGUs required for exchanging data. ACER questions whether these differences limit a level playing field and recommends proportionate changes to the rules.

• Rules on the provision of data between TSOs, DSOs and SGUs are specified in most Member States. The implementation of the data exchange schemes is deemed outstanding in over 35% of countries. Furthermore, the implementation of the DSOs' obligation to provide data on generating capacity of the small generating modules (type A PGMs) is not satisfactory.

The report acknowledges that TSOs’ obligations have mostly been implemented. The highest implementation levels were reported for:

• the refresh rate for real-time data

• the review of structural data shared with other TSOs

• the exchange of real-time data between TSOs.

Some specific KORRR obligations, however, remain outstanding. 

ACER’s key recommendations:

ACER recommends NRAs to perform or promote a prompt implementation of the relevant provisions of the System Operation Guideline in their countries.

Where TSOs have not yet developed specific proposals subject to approval (i.e. on the applicability and scope of data exchange) or have not yet implemented relevant provisions, ACER encourages NRAs to monitor the process or liaise with TSOs to define a detailed roadmap towards the implementation of the System Operation Guideline.

ACER also suggests considering further changes to the data exchange rules aiming at efficient harmonisation of applicable criteria for SGUs definition.

Access the report.