Regional Coordination Centre (RCC)
Regional Coordination Centres (RCCs) perform tasks of regional relevance in the system operation region (SOR) where they are established, such as, in particular:
(a) coordinated capacity calculation,
(b) coordinated security analysis
(c) creating common grid models.
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13 March 2024 Regional Coordination Centres' (RCC) reporting obligations in 2022, ACER monitoring report
ACER approves three methodologies on electricity balancing capacity procurement: • Harmonised methodology for cross-zonal capacity allocation for the exchange of balancing capacity or sharing of reserves; • Regional Coordination Centres’ (RCCs) task of regional sizing; and • RCCs’ task of facilitating the procurement of electricity balancing capacity.
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RCCs were initially envisioned by the so-called "Winter Energy Package" as Regional Operational Centres (ROCs) - see, in particular, Articles 21(6), 32 - 44, Recitals 33 - 37 and Annex I of the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the internal market for electricity ((recast), 30.11.2016, COM(2016) 861 final 2016/0379 (COD)).
Regional Operational Centres were intended to complement the role of transmission system operators (TSOs) by performing functions of regional relevance. The ROCs' role was intended, in particular, to consist in the annual calculation of the maximum entry capacity available for the participation of foreign capacity taking into account the expected availability of interconnection and the likely concurrence of system stress between the system where the mechanism is applied and the system in which the foreign capacity is located. Such a calculation is required for each bidding zone border.
Pursuant to Article 8 of the draft Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (recast), 30.11.2016, COM(2016) 863 final 2016/0378 (COD) the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) was intended to be assigned the following tasks and competences as regards the Regional Operational Centres:
- monitoring and performance analyses,
- deciding on the ROC's configuration,
- requesting information from ROC's,
- issuance of opinions and recommendations.
It is particularly noteworthy that pursuant to Article 38(2) of the aforementioned draft Regulation Regional Operational Centres were granted the right to adopt binding decisions addressed to the transmission system operators in respect of the following functions:
- coordinated capacity calculation,
- coordinated security analysis,
- regional sizing of reserve capacity,
- calculation of the maximum entry capacity available for the participation of foreign capacity in capacity mechanisms.
The draft further stipulated that transmission system operators were required to implement the aforementioned binding decisions issued by the Regional Operational Centres except in cases when the safety of the system would be negatively affected.
According to Article 39(3) of the draft, the request for revision shall not suspend such binding decision except in cases when the safety of the system will be negatively affected.
Under the 'Winter Energy Package' ENTSO for Electricity had the following tasks with respect to regional operational centres:
- adoption of a framework for the cooperation and coordination between regional operational centres,
- adoption a proposal defining the system operation region covered by each regional operational centre.
However, in the policy statement of 15 March 2017 "Key Recommendations for the Clean Energy Package", ENTSO-E heavily criticised the European Commission's propositions, ENTSO-E, in particular, said: "having binding powers given to ROCs is incompatible with Member State responsibilities in terms of security of supply."
In the said document ENTSO-E added that the most troublesome elements of the proposed Regulation relate to:
- the geographical scope (regional) of reserve sizing is in conflict with the national legal framework: sizing of reserves is an essential element of secure system operation for which national TSOs are liable.
- the geographical scope of (regional) reserve capacity procurement may well not be the ideal geographical allocation for reserve capacity procurement.
ENTSO-E concluded that the decision on the amount of cross-border capacity for the participation of foreign capacity should be let to TSOs rather than assigned to Regional Operation Centres.
Draft report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament (ITRE) of 14 June 2017 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (recast) (COM(2016)0863 – C8-0494/2016 – 2016/0378(COD)) proposed to add a rule that the ACER may issue to ROCs not only opinions and recommendations (as the European Commission proposed) but also binding decisions.
According to the ITRE’s view, the compliance of ROCs, which operate beyond national borders, with their obligations under the legislation, is most effectively ensured by the ACER. According to the ITRE, when the Agency detects that ROCs do not comply, it should be able to intervene with a binding decision.
The contentious provisions finally entered into force as laid down in Recitals 53 - 59, Article 30(2), Articles 35 - 47 and Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity (recast) - see below. In particular, Article 35 of the Regulation (EU) 2019/943 establishes Regional Coordination Centres (RCCs) - instead of ROCs - while Article 37 enlists the RCCs tasks and their roles.
Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity (recast), Recitals 20, 21, 53 - 59, Article 30(2), Articles 35 - 47, Annex I
Recital 20 When regional coordination centres carry out a capacity calculation, they should maximise capacity considering non-costly remedial actions and respecting the operational security limits of transmission system operators in the Capacity Calculation Region. Where the calculation does not result in capacity equal to or above the minimum capacities set out in this Regulation, regional coordination centres should consider all available costly remedial actions to further increase capacity up to the minimum capacities, including redispatching potential within and between the capacity calculation regions, while respecting the operational security limits of transmission system operators of the Capacity Calculation Regions. Transmission system operators should report accurately and transparently on all aspects of capacity calculation in accordance with this Regulation and should ensure that all information sent to regional coordination centres is accurate and fit for purpose.
Recital 21 When performing capacity calculation, regional coordination centres should calculate cross-zonal capacities using data from transmission system operators which respects the operational security limits of the transmission system operators' respective control areas. Transmission system operators should be able to deviate from coordinated capacity calculation where its implementation would result in a violation of the operational security limits of network elements in their control area. Those deviations should be carefully monitored and transparently reported to prevent abuse and ensure that the volume of interconnection capacity to be made available to market participants is not limited in order to solve congestion inside a bidding zone. Where an action plan is in place, the action plan should take account of deviations and address their cause.
Recital 53 Coordination between transmission system operators at regional level has been formalised with the mandatory participation of transmission system operators in regional security coordinators. The regional coordination of transmission system operators should be further developed with an enhanced institutional framework via the establishment of regional coordination centres. The establishment of regional coordination centres should take into account existing or planned regional coordination initiatives and should support the increasingly integrated operation of electricity systems across the Union, thereby ensuring their efficient and secure performance. For that reason, it is necessary to ensure that the coordination of transmission system operators through regional coordination centres takes place across the Union. Where transmission system operators of a given region are not yet coordinated by an existing or a planned regional coordination centre, the transmission system operators in that region should establish or designate a regional coordination centre.
Recital 54 The geographical scope of regional coordination centres should allow them to contribute effectively to the coordination of the operations of transmission system operators across regions and should lead to enhanced system security and market efficiency. Regional coordination centres should have the flexibility to carry out their tasks in the region in the way which is best adapted to the nature of the individual tasks entrusted to them.
Recital 55 Regional coordination centres should carry out tasks where their regionalisation brings added value compared to tasks performed at national level. The tasks of regional coordination centres should cover the tasks carried out by regional security coordinators pursuant to the Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 as well as additional system operation, market operation and risk preparedness tasks. The tasks carried out by regional coordination centres should not include real-time operation of the electricity system.
Recital 56 In performing their tasks, regional coordination centres should contribute to the achievement of the 2030 and 2050 objectives set out in the climate and energy policy framework.
Recital 57 Regional coordination centres should primarily act in the interest of system and market operation of the region. Hence, regional coordination centres should be entrusted with the powers necessary to coordinate the actions to be taken by transmission system operators of the system operation region for certain functions and with an enhanced advisory role for the remaining functions.
Recital 58 The human, technical, physical and financial resources of regional coordination centres should not exceed what is strictly necessary for the fulfilment of their tasks.
Recital 59 The ENTSO for Electricity should ensure that the activities of regional coordination centres are coordinated across regional boundaries.
Article 30(2)
The ENTSO for Electricity shall report to ACER on shortcomings identified regarding the establishment and performance of regional coordination centres.
Establishment and mission of regional coordination centres
1. By 5 July 2020, all transmission system operators of a system operation region shall submit a proposal for the establishment of regional coordination centres to the regulatory authorities concerned in accordance with the criteria set out in this Chapter.
Geographical scope of regional coordination centres
1. By 5 January 2020 the ENTSO for Electricity shall submit to ACER a proposal specifying which transmission system operators, bidding zones, bidding zone borders, capacity calculation regions and outage coordination regions are covered by each of the system operation regions. The proposal shall take into account the grid topology, including the degree of interconnection and of interdependency of the electricity system in terms of flows and the size of the region which shall cover at least one capacity calculation region.
Tasks of regional coordination centres
1. Each regional coordination centre shall carry out at least all the following tasks of regional relevance in the entire system operation region where it is established:
Cooperation within and between regional coordination centres
The day-to-day coordination within and between regional coordination centres shall be managed through cooperative processes among the transmission system operators of the region, including arrangements for coordination between regional coordination centres where relevant. The cooperative process shall be based on:
Working arrangements
1. Regional coordination centres shall develop working arrangements that are efficient, inclusive, transparent and facilitate consensus, in order to address planning and operational aspects related to the tasks to be carried out, taking into account, in particular, the specificities and requirements of those tasks as specified in Annex I. Regional coordination centres shall also develop a process for the revision of those working arrangements.
Consultation procedure
1. Regional coordination centres shall develop a procedure to organise, in the exercise of their daily operational duties and tasks, the appropriate and regular consultation of transmission system operators in the system operation region, other regional coordination centres and of relevant stakeholders. In order to ensure that regulatory issues can be addressed, regulatory authorities shall be involved when required.
Transparency
1. Regional coordination centres shall develop a process for stakeholder involvement and shall organise regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss matters relating to the efficient, secure and reliable operation of the interconnected system and to identify shortcomings and propose improvements.
Adoption and review of coordinated actions and recommendations
1. The transmission system operators in a system operation region shall develop a procedure for the adoption and revision of coordinated actions and recommendations issued by regional coordination centres in accordance with the criteria set out in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4.
Management board of regional coordination centres
1. In order to adopt measures related to their governance and to monitor their performance, the regional coordination centres shall establish a management board.
Organisational structure
1. The transmission system operators of a system operation region shall establish the organisational structure of regional coordination centres that supports the safety of their tasks.
Equipment and staff
Regional coordination centres shall be equipped with all human, technical, physical and financial resources necessary for fulfilling their obligations under this Regulation and carrying out their tasks independently and impartially.
Monitoring and reporting
1. Regional coordination centres shall establish a process for the continuous monitoring of at least:
Liability
In proposals for the establishment of regional coordination centres in accordance with Article 35, the transmission system operators in the system operation region shall include the necessary steps to cover liability related to the execution of regional coordination centres' tasks. The method employed to provide the cover shall take into account the legal status of regional coordination centres and the level of commercial insurance cover available.
ANNEX I TASKS OF REGIONAL COORDINATION CENTRES
1. Coordinated capacity calculation 1.1 Regional coordination centres shall carry out the coordinated calculation of cross-zonal capacities.
2.1 Regional coordination centres shall carry out a coordinated security analysis aiming to ensure secure system operation.
3.1 Regional coordination centres shall set up efficient processes for the creation of a common grid model for each operational planning timeframe between the year-ahead and intraday timeframes.
4. Support for transmission system operators' defence and restoration plans with regard to the consistency assessment 4.1 Regional coordination centres shall support the transmission system operators in the system operation region in carrying out the consistency assessment of transmission system operators' defence plans and restoration plans pursuant to the procedures set out in the network code on electricity emergency and restoration adopted on the basis of Article 6(11) of Regulation (EC) No 714/2009.
5.1 Each relevant regional coordination centre shall support the transmission system operators appointed as frequency leaders and the resynchronisation leaders pursuant to the network code on emergency and restoration adopted on the basis of Article 6(11) of Regulation (EC) No 714/2009 to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of system restoration. The transmission system operators in the system operation region shall establish the role of the regional coordination centre relating to the support to the coordination and optimisation of regional restoration.
6.1 Regional coordination centres shall investigate and prepare a report on any incident above the threshold referred to in point 4.2. The regulatory authorities in the system operation region and ACER may be involved in the investigation upon their request. The report shall contain recommendations aiming to prevent similar incidents in future.
7.1 Regional coordination centres shall calculate the reserve capacity requirements for the system operation region. The determination of reserve capacity requirements shall:
8.1 Regional coordination centres shall support the transmission system operators in the system operation region in determining the amount of balancing capacity that needs to be procured. The determination of the amount of balancing capacity shall:
9.1 Regional coordination centres shall carry out week-ahead to at least day-ahead regional adequacy assessments in accordance with the procedures set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 and on the basis of the methodology developed pursuant Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2019/941.
10.1 Each Regional coordination centre shall carry out regional outage coordination in accordance with the procedures set out in the system operation guideline adopted on the basis of Article 18(5) of Regulation (EC) No 714/2009 in order to monitor the availability status of the relevant assets and coordinate their availability plans to ensure the operational security of the transmission system, while maximising the capacity of the interconnectors and the transmission systems affecting cross-zonal flows.
11.1 The transmission system operators in the system operation region may jointly decide to receive support from the regional coordination centre in administering the financial flows related to settlements between transmission system operators involving more than two transmission system operators, such as redispatching costs, congestion income, unintentional deviations or reserve procurement costs.
12.1 Regional coordination centres shall prepare and carry out training and certification programmes focusing on regional system operation for the personnel working for regional coordination centres.
13.1 If the ENTSO for Electricity delegates this function, regional coordination centres shall identify regional electricity crisis scenarios in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/941.
14.1 Regional coordination centres shall support transmission system operators in the identification of needs for new transmission capacity, for an upgrade of existing transmission capacity or for their alternatives, to be submitted to the regional groups established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 and to be included in the ten-year network development plan referred to in Article 51 of Directive (EU) 2019/944.
15.1 Regional coordination centres shall support transmission system operator in calculating the maximum entry capacity available for the participation of foreign capacity in capacity mechanisms taking into account the expected availability of interconnection and the likely concurrence of system stress between the system where the mechanism is applied and the system in which the foreign capacity is located.
16.1 If the ENTSO for Electricity delegates this function pursuant to Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2019/941, regional coordination centres shall carry out regional seasonal adequacy assessments. |
Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity (recast)
Article 16
General principles of capacity allocation and congestion management
1.Network congestion problems shall be addressed with non-discriminatory market-based solutions which give efficient economic signals to the market participants and transmission system operators involved. Network congestion problems shall be solved by means of non-transaction-based methods, namely methods that do not involve a selection between the contracts of individual market participants. When taking operational measures to ensure that its transmission system remains in the normal state, the transmission system operator shall take into account the effect of those measures on neighbouring control areas and coordinate such measures with other affected transmission system operators as provided for in Regulation (EU) 2015/1222.
2.Transaction curtailment procedures shall be used only in emergency situations, namely where the transmission system operator must act in an expeditious manner and redispatching or countertrading is not possible. Any such procedure shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner. Except in cases of force majeure, market participants that have been allocated capacity shall be compensated for any such curtailment.
3.Regional coordination centres shall carry out coordinated capacity calculation in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 8 of this Article, as provided for in point (a) of Article 37(1) and in Article 42(1).
Regional coordination centres shall calculate cross-zonal capacities respecting operational security limits using data from transmission system operators including data on the technical availability of remedial actions, not including load shedding. Where regional coordination centres conclude that those available remedial actions in the capacity calculation region or between capacity calculation regions are not sufficient to reach the linear trajectory pursuant to Article 15(2) or the minimum capacities provided for in paragraph 8 of this Article while respecting operational security limits, they may, as a measure of last resort, set out coordinated actions reducing the cross-zonal capacities accordingly. Transmission system operators may deviate from coordinated actions in respect of coordinated capacity calculation and coordinated security analysis only in accordance with Article 42(2).
By 3 months after the entry into operation of the regional coordination centres pursuant to Article 35(2) of this Regulation and every three months thereafter, the regional coordination centres shall submit a report to the relevant regulatory authorities and to ACER on any reduction of capacity or deviation from coordinated actions pursuant to the second subparagraph and shall assess the incidences and make recommendations, if necessary, on how to avoid such deviations in the future. If ACER concludes that the prerequisites for a deviation pursuant to this paragraph are not fulfilled or are of a structural nature, ACER shall submit an opinion to the relevant regulatory authorities and to the Commission. The competent regulatory authorities shall take appropriate action against transmission system operators or regional coordination centres pursuant to Article 59 or 62 of Directive (EU) 2019/944 if the prerequisites for a deviation pursuant to this paragraph were not fulfilled. Deviations of a structural nature shall be addressed in an action plan referred to in Article 14(7) or in an update of an existing action plan.
4.The maximum level of capacity of the interconnections and the transmission networks affected by cross-border capacity shall be made available to market participants complying with the safety standards of secure network operation. Counter-trading and redispatch, including cross-border redispatch, shall be used to maximise available capacities to reach the minimum capacity provided for in paragraph 8. A coordinated and non-discriminatory process for cross-border remedial actions shall be applied to enable such maximisation, following the implementation of a redispatching and counter-trading cost-sharing methodology.
Regulation (EU) 2019/942 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 establishing a European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, Recital 8
Because of the close interconnection of the Union electricity grid and the increasing need to cooperate with neighbouring countries to maintain grid stability and integrate large volumes of renewable energy, regional coordination centres will play an important role for the coordination of transmission system operators. ACER should guarantee regulatory oversight of the regional coordination centres where necessary.
Network Code on System Operation, Articles 76 - 78
Article 76
Proposal for regional operational security coordination
1. By 3 months after the approval of the methodology for coordinating operational security analysis in Article 75(1), all TSOs of each capacity calculation region shall jointly develop a proposal for common provisions for regional operational security coordination, to be applied by the regional security coordinators and the TSOs of the capacity calculation region. The proposal shall respect the methodologies for coordinating operational security analysis developed in accordance with Article 75(1) and complement where necessary the methodologies developed in accordance with Articles 35 and 74 of Regulation (EU) 2015/1222. The proposal shall determine:
(a) conditions and frequency of intraday coordination of operational security analysis and updates to the common grid model by the regional security coordinator;
(b) the methodology for the preparation of remedial actions managed in a coordinated way, considering their cross-border relevance as determined in accordance with Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 2015/1222, taking into account the requirements in Articles 20 to 23 and determining at least:
(i) the procedure for exchanging the information of the available remedial actions, between relevant TSOs and the regional security coordinator;
(ii) the classification of constraints and the remedial actions in accordance with Article 22;
(iii) the identification of the most effective and economically efficient remedial actions in case of operational security violations referred to in Article 22;
(iv) the preparation and activation of remedial actions in accordance with Article 23(2);
(v) the sharing of the costs of remedial actions referred to in Article 22, complementing where necessary the common methodology developed in accordance with Article 74 of Regulation (EU) 2015/1222. As a general principle, costs of non-cross-border relevant congestions shall be borne by the TSO responsible for the given control area and costs of relieving cross-border-relevant congestions shall be covered by TSOs responsible for the control areas in proportion to the aggravating impact of energy exchange between given control areas on the congested grid element.
2. In determining whether congestion have cross-border relevance, the TSOs shall take into account the congestion that would appear in the absence of energy exchanges between control areas.
Article 77
Organisation for regional operational security coordination
1. The proposal of all TSOs of a capacity calculation region for common provisions for regional operational security coordination pursuant to Article 76(1) shall also include common provisions concerning the organisation of regional operational security coordination, including at least:
(a) the appointment of the regional security coordinator(s) that will perform the tasks in paragraph 3 for that capacity calculation region;
(b) rules concerning the governance and operation of regional security coordinator(s), ensuring equitable treatment of all member TSOs;
(c) where the TSOs propose to appoint more than one regional security coordinator in accordance with subparagraph (a):
(i) a proposal for a coherent allocation of the tasks between the regional security coordinators who will be active in that capacity calculation region. The proposal shall take full account of the need to coordinate the different tasks allocated to the regional security coordinators;
(ii) an assessment demonstrating that the proposed setup of regional security coordinators and allocation of tasks is efficient, effective and consistent with the regional coordinated capacity calculation established pursuant to Articles 20 and 21 of Regulation (EU) 2015/1222;
(iii) an effective coordination and decision making process to resolve conflicting positions between regional security coordinators within the capacity calculation region.
2. When developing the proposal for common provisions concerning the organisation of regional operational security coordination in paragraph 1, the following requirements shall be met:
(a) each TSO shall be covered by at least one regional security coordinator;
(b) all TSOs shall ensure that the total number of regional security coordinators across the Union is not higher than six.
3. The TSOs of each capacity calculation region shall propose the delegation of the following tasks in accordance with paragraph 1:
(a) regional operational security coordination in accordance with Article 78 in order to support TSOs fulfil their obligations for the year-ahead, day-ahead and intraday time-frames in Article 34(3) and Articles 72 and 74;
(b) building of common grid model in accordance with Article 79;
(c) regional outage coordination in accordance with Article 80, in order to support TSOs fulfil their obligations in Articles 98 and 100;
(d) regional adequacy assessment in accordance with Article 81 in order to support TSOs fulfil their obligations under Article 107.
4. In executing its tasks, a regional security coordinator shall take account of data covering at least all capacity calculation regions for which it has been allocated tasks, including the observability areas of all TSOs in those capacity calculation regions.
5. All regional security coordinators shall coordinate the execution of their tasks in order to facilitate the fulfilment of the objectives of this Regulation. All regional security coordinators shall ensure the harmonization of processes and, where duplication is not justified by reasons of efficiency or by the need to ensure continuity of service, the creation of joint tools to ensure efficient cooperation and coordination between the regional security coordinators.
Article 78
Regional operational security coordination
1. Each TSO shall provide the regional security coordinator with all the information and data required to perform the coordinated regional operational security assessment, including at least:
(a) the updated contingency list, established according to the criteria defined in the methodology for coordinating operational security analysis adopted in accordance with Article 75(1);
(b) the updated list of possible remedial actions, among the categories listed in Article 22, and their anticipated costs provided in accordance with Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 2015/1222 if a remedial action includes redispatching or countertrading, aimed at contributing to relieve any constraint identified in the region; and
(c) the operational security limits established in accordance with Article 25.
2. Each regional security coordinator shall:
(a) perform the coordinated regional operational security assessment in accordance with Article 76 on the basis of the common grid models established in accordance with Article 79, the contingency list and the operational security limits provided by each TSOs in paragraph 1. It shall deliver the results of the coordinated regional operational security assessment at least to all TSOs of the capacity calculation region. Where it detects a constraint, it shall recommend to the relevant TSOs the most effective and economically efficient remedial actions and may also recommend remedial actions other than those provided by the TSOs. This recommendation for remedial actions shall be accompanied by explanations as to its rationale;
(b) coordinate the preparation of remedial actions with and among TSOs in accordance with Article 76(1)(b), to enable TSOs achieve a coordinated activation of remedial actions in real-time.
3. When performing the coordinated regional operational security assessment and identifying the appropriate remedial actions, each regional security coordinator shall coordinate with other regional security coordinators.
4. When a TSO receives from the relevant regional security coordinator the results of the coordinated regional operational security assessment with a proposal for a remedial action, it shall evaluate the recommended remedial action for the elements involved in that remedial action and located in its control area. In so doing, it shall apply the provisions of Article 20. The TSO shall decide whether to implement the recommended remedial action. Where it decides not to implement the recommended remedial action, it shall provide an explanation for this decision to the RSC. Where the TSO decides to implement the recommended remedial action, it shall apply this action for the elements located in its control area provided that it is compatible with real-time conditions.