Points of departure underpinning scenarios used

Three scenarios have been put together for the calculations of the cross-border transmission capacity that is safely available as per para. 5.7 of the Netherlands Grid Code. These are used in calculating both the import and export maximums.

Scenarios:

1. It has been assumed that full imports come from Germany/full exports go to Germany;
2. It has been assumed that full imports come from Belgium/full exports go to Belgium;
3. It has been assumed that full imports come from Germany and Belgium/ both full exports go to Germany and Belgium both.

The import and export transmission capacity that is safely available is calculated per scenario by stepping power generation up or down until the threshold has been reached at which the 'simple failure reserve' can still be safeguarded. Complementary action takes place in the other grid, with the electrical load of the other TSO’s grid being kept at a constant level. 

Load and generation modelled per nodal point

Each day TenneT receives transmission projections from those that are connected to its grid, so as to enable it to make its operational preparations. These projections contain information concerning the next day’s load and generation by all power plants. These data are entered in a grid model, together with details concerning the grid’s latest configuration, to enable the performance of safety calculations for the Dutch high voltage grid (> 110kV).

TenneT also has access to grid models of all TSOs that cooperate at UCTE level. These are updated on a daily basis by adding the latest load and generation data and the network configuration. These grid models are used in forecasting the cross-border transmission flows for the benefit of the 'Day Ahead Congestion Forecast'.

All the information described above – that reflects the current status of power transactions in the Netherlands and Europe – is used in carrying out these calculations of the safely available cross-border transmission capacity. This implies that rather than there being a fixed distribution, the simulations are geared to following on the load, generation and network configuration of the moment.

The setting of the phase shifters has been selected in such a manner in these calculations as to achieve the highest possible transmission capacity. This setting has been calculated on the basis of a study in the context of which the Dutch and German phase shifters at Meeden and Gronau were stepped up and down in the scenarios described so as to pinpoint the optimum setting for each of the operating conditions.

Explanation of calculation method applied

The calculation method applied in determining the import and export transmission capacity that is safely available between the grids of two different TSOs is described in the document entitled 'Calculation of safely available cross-border transmission capacity'.