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Dutch Grid Operators Launch New Flex Market to Combat Congestion
Dutch grid operators Liander, Enexis, and Stedin have launched a public platform for flexible capacity. This platform, GOPACS Auctions, centralizes requests to alleviate grid congestion. Companies can now more efficiently bid on flexibility needs, with an initial call for 496 megawatts. This offers prospects for the 15,500 companies awaiting grid connection.
Dutch grid operators Liander, Enexis, and Stedin have introduced a new public platform, GOPACS Auctions. This initiative aims to address grid congestion more efficiently by centralizing the demand for flexible capacity. Previously, requests were fragmented, which made investments in flexibility less profitable.
Congestion Service Providers (CSPs) can use this platform to gain insight into the specific needs of grid operators by region and time. This enables them to better align their investments in flexible capacity with both current and future demand. Upon its launch, a requirement for 496 megawatts of flexible capacity was immediately published.
The platform provides a clear overview for CSPs, helping them to strategically attract new clients in areas with a structural need for grid flexibility. For the more than 15,500 companies and institutions currently awaiting a grid connection, this development offers a positive outlook. As more flexible capacity becomes available, grid congestion is expected to be alleviated more quickly.
CSPs can submit bids detailing the deployable flexible capacity and their requested compensation. The requests range from temporary to long-term day-ahead contracts, allowing flexibility to be called upon up to one day in advance to manage peak loads on the electricity grid. After the bidding period, the grid operator selects the most efficient offer, and agreements are formally contracted.
GOPACS Auctions serves as a transparent alternative alongside existing individual processes. The grid operators, GOPACS, and CSPs are working towards a fully automated process, from public auction to contract signing. TenneT will join this platform at a later stage. The current flexibility demand can be viewed via gopacs.eu.
This article is based on information from Solar Magazine NL.
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