The issue of loop flows

Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk

Berlin, 4 December 2012

Main powerflows in Europe

2Source: ENTSO-E Ten-Year Network Developemnt Plan 2012

Loop flows / unplanned power flows / unannounced power flows

- physical phenomena that occurs when generation and load centers diverge thus resulting in differences between commercial schedules and physical flows.

Unplanned power flows result from:1. internal transactions between Northern (supply of wind

generation) and Southern Germany (demand) but also 2. exchanges within a common market area of Germany and

Austria

There are no explicit limits to these flows even if they are heavily using the networks of the neighbors.

What are loop flows

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Physical and commercial power flows Sweden

Germany

Ukraine

Slovakia

Czech Republic

Export: 7233.6 GWhImport: 1983.5 GWh

Export: 2609.9 GWh

Import: 195.3 GWh

Out: 432.1 GWh

In: 5135.6 GWh

Export: 3035.9 GWh

Import: 224.4 GWh

Out: 8261.5 GWh

In: 44.0 GWh

Export: 1284.5 GWh

Import: 37.2 GWh

Out: 3051.6 GWh

In: 26.6 GWh

Export: 0.0 GWh

Import: 59.6 GWh

Out: 0.0 GWh

In: 59.6 GWh

Export: 303.3 GWh

Import: 1467.0 GWh

Out: 277.5 GWh

In: 1513.6 GWh

4Source: Polish Energy Regulatory Office

Problems resulting from loop flows

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• The system security in Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia is seriously distorted (threat of regional blackouts)

Operational security

• Continuous decrease of capacity used for cross-border trade

Market integration

and efficiency

• Can hamper cross-border investment (as such investment might not be beneficial for investing country)

Infrastructure

Winter 2011/2012 – critical

6

Problems associated with loop flows increased both in numbers and scale

massive renewable energy sources development not corresponding with grid development

EnergiewendeSource: Position of ČEPS, MAVIR, PSE Operator and SEPS regarding the issue of Bidding Zones Definition

Why Poland and Germany will cooperate

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Regulation No 714/2009 and

Congestion Management Guidelines

Point 3.1. capacity allocation at an interconnection shall be coordinated by involved TSOs. If commercial exchanges between two countries affect physical flow in third country – coordination between all affected TSOs.

Point 3.2. coordinated congestion management method shall be applied by not later than 1 January 2007 in regions: Central Eastern Europe (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and Slovenia)

-

Many initiatives aiming to address the problem:1. The European Commission - study 2. ACER 3. ENTSO-E4. BNetzA and Federal Ministry (internal)

Many possible solutions:- short-term – better coordination and cooperation

between TSOs related to operational security (re-dispatching)

- mid-term – correct market design (adequate bidding zones)

- long-term – infrastructure enhancement (interconnectors and internal grids)

Phase Shifters is it a real solution Problem Shifters ???

Possible solutions

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Phase shifters in Europe

9Source: Polish Energy Regulatory Office

What can be done: main investment projects of PSE Operator SA

10

`

MKR ZAM

GLN

POM

GDP

KOP

BYD

JAS

PLE CZE

PPD

MON

PLC

GOR

DUN

SLK

ZRC

GBL

GDA

GRU

TEL

WLA

PAT

KON

ADA

OLM

OLS

ELK

PLO

PDEMSK

SOC

LSN

LES

OSRZUKPOL

CRN

MIK

HAG

VIE

PIA

KOZ

ROZPUL

ABRCHS

NAR

BIA ROS

OSC

DOB

STWCHM

PEL

RZE

BGC

KPK

RAD

KIE

JAN

PIO

PAB

ZGI

BEKTRE

ROG

JOA

ANI

HCZ

WRZ

LOS

TAW

ATA

KLA

KRI

WAN

LUASIE

ROK

GRO

DBN

ZBK

SWI

WRC

PAS

BOG

CPC

ALBNOS

TCN

KRA

LEM

KRM

OLT

SKA

MOR

WTO

LSY

PKW

WSI

ZYD

OST

ALY

BLA

REC

KED

CHAWIE

LAG

PRBCZT

ZAP

BUJKOM

BIR

HALKAT

JAMKHK

MOS

LIS

LMS

MIL

STN

BYC

BCN

ZDKELB

PLP

DRG

PLBEISGUB

SDU

400 kV

750 kV

220 kV

400 kV temporary at 220 kV

DC cable 450 kV

Legend :

Ger-Pol Power Bridge

Wind Integration

Power Evacuation_OST

Power Evacuation_KOZ

Power Evacuation_DBN

Ger-Pol Improvements

Power Evacuation_NORTH

Source: PSE Operator SA

1. Phase shifting transformers:

• better management of unplanned transits DE-PL-CZ

• enhancement of transfer capacity on Polish synchronous profile. Expected NTC increase:

• 500 MW for import and 1500 MW for export

• greater security and reliability of the regional transmission network in Poland and in other countries of the CEE region

• increased capability to accommodate more renewable energy resources in a safe and reliable manner

1. Third DE-PL interconnector:

◦ strengthening market integration between member states

◦ increasing NTC by 1500 MW for import and 500 MW for export on PL-DE/SK/CZ synchronous profile

◦ improving network security - project contributes to increase of security of supply and flexibility of the transmission network

Improvements on German-Polish border

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