System services
The system services are the services TenneT provides in order to:
- guarantee that the transmission of electricity across all grids occurs in a safe and efficient manner;
- resolve large-scale disruptions in the transmission of electricity;
- maintain or restore the energy balance on all grids in the Netherlands.
Context
The System Code contains stipulations on TenneT’s system services. When performing its system services, TenneT must fulfil international agreements and commitments (UCTE policies).
Payments for system services
The costs TenneT incurs for the provision of system services are covered by the system services tariff.
Maintenance of the balance
The most important system service entails that TenneT permanently monitors and restores the balance between the demand for and supply of electricity via the Netherlands electricity grid. An excessive or long-lasting disruption of this balance may result in a black-out.
Whether the balance can be achieved, maintained and restored depends on three factors:
- the system of programme responsibility that applies to connected parties;
- the deployment and settlement by TenneT of regulating, reserve and emergency capacity made available to TenneT by connected parties;
- the imbalance settlement with programme-responsible parties by TenneT TSO on the basis of the imbalance pricing system.
If the means available to TenneT are insufficient to restore the balance, we can take additional measures. TenneT has certain powers to prevent or limit possible damage to the electricity supply system: protect and resolve.
Metering responsibility
Electricity customers must themselves ensure that they have an electricity meter that complies with the statutory requirements. This is called metering responsibility.
Activities performed to measure the electricity consumption may only be carried out by companies recognised by TenneT.
