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Operational management
Nederlands

TenneT’s role during prolonged periods of warm weather


Introduction

If the temperature of the cooling water used by power plants is too high during a period of warm weather and/or if the supply of cooling water is insufficient, power plants may have to limit their production of electricity because they no longer meet the relevant standards and regulations laid down by the Department of Public Works and Water Management. Furthermore, more electricity is used because of airco's and cooling systems. 

In such situations, TenneT’s role is to monitor the situation and issue signals to the (market) parties involved in case of (impending) shortages on the electricity market. In addition to restrictions on the use of cooling water during prolonged periods of heat, a similar situation can arise during a prolonged period of cold. During such periods, the demand for electricity will increase sharply.

What does TenneT do exactly?

TenneT monitors the situation and issues signals to the various parties involved (electricity producers, regional grid administrators, Department of Public Works and Water Management, Ministry of Economic Affairs) concerning the reserve capacity on the electricity market. For this purpose TenneT uses three phases to represent the current state of affairs. Past experience has shown that this ‘signalling system’ can result in new sources becoming available, allowing the reserve capacity to be restored.

What phases are there?

The action plan consists of three different phases linked to the size of the reserve capacity. TenneT informs the parties concerned about the current situation via e mail and by means of reports posted under ‘Operational Reports’ on TenneT’s website.

Phase 0: Temperature of the water in the river Rhine near Lobith exceeds 23 degrees

Phase 0 comes into effect when the temperature of the surface water near Lobith exceeds 23 degrees. When this happens, TenneT informs the energy market about the situation that has arisen and monitors the available reserve capacity, i.e. the total reserve capacity available in the entire market (originating from production units of 5 MW or more). At least 1400 MW of reserve capacity with a dispatch time of up to 8 hours and at least 700 MW of reserve capacity with a dispatch time of up to 15 minutes must be available. Phase 1 is invoked once the reserves fall below this level. Phase 0 is deactivated when the water temperature of the river Rhine near Lobith drops below 23 degrees.

Phase 1: Reserve capacity is less than 1400 MW, situation of market shortage

When the total size of the reserve capacity (with a dispatch time of up to 8 hours) falls below 1400 MW, TenneT informs the parties concerned that a market shortage has arisen. We are now in phase 1.

Phase 2: Reserve capacity is less than 700 MW, situation of market shortage

Phase 2 is invoked when the total size of the reserve capacity (with a dispatch time of up to 15 minutes) falls below 700 MW. TenneT informs the parties concerned accordingly. In the event of an imbalance between supply and demand, TenneT can take a number of measures to restore the balance, with the aim of safeguarding the security of supply. See: Questions and answers concerning phase 2.

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TenneT Holding B.V.