The energy transition and economic growth require capacity increase of the electricity grid. The grid operators are working hard on increasing this electricity grid capacity to be able to meet the growing demand. However, this cannot be realised overnight. Making use of flexible power from the market can contribute to solving (expected) congestion in the electricity grid. This is where the new GOPACS platform comes in.
How does GOPACS work?
Imagine that congestion is expected somewhere in the electricity grid. To solve this congestion, the grid operators would like to see a reduction in electricity production or an increase in consumption in this part of the grid, for example. Next, through GOPACS, a request for bids is sent to market parties. Market parties with a connection in this area can then place a suitable buy order on a connected electricity market platform. However, a negative impact on the national balance of the electricity grid is to be avoided due to this action to solve congestion. This is why the reduction of electricity production in the congestion area is combined with an opposite order from a market party outside the congestion area. GOPACS quickly checks if that order will not cause any problems elsewhere in the electricity grid of any of the participating grid operators. If all lights are green, the price difference between the two orders will be paid by the grid operators. In this way, the two orders are matched on the market platform and congestion can be solved
Easily accessible
GOPACS works in a way that is consistent with key European directives that relate to market-based mitigation of grid congestion and offers large and small market parties an easy way to generate revenues with their available flexibility and contribute to solving congestion situations. The collaboration among the grid operators also prevents congestion in one part of the electricity grid from causing problems elsewhere in the electricity grid at one of the other grid operators.
For GOPACS the grid operators collaborate with the intraday market platform of ETPA. They are currently having talks with other market platforms to connect these to GOPACS as well. The other Dutch DSOs Enduris, Coteq and Rendo, support this initiative and are investigating how they can participate in GOPACS.
Market parties that want to offer their flexible energy supply or demand (with the proper location data) for use via GOPACS can contact the account manager of their grid operator. More information is provided on the website of GOPACS.
