FAQ

In order to guarantee a transparent exchange of information, all questions received by APG regarding the grid reserve are published on this website (anonymously). As some of these questions require coordination with the national regulatory authority, it may take some time to answer.


Question 1:
How can the tolerance range of one month in a seasonal grid reserve contract be interpreted? Can the exact period for the availability in the grid reserve be decided at short notice during the contract, or does the shutdown notification already have to cover the exact period?
Answer:
At the time of the notification of a temporary seasonal shutdown, it is not necessary to specify the exact period. However, the reported period must relate to the timeframe specified in § 7 para.1 Z 66b ElWOG 2010. The point in time by which the notification of the exact period is required will be announced by APG at the latest when the conditions for the tender process of the grid reserve are published.
Complement:
If the exact period is already known at the time the shutdown is reported, it can already be stated in the comment field of the form.


Question 2:
Is a supervisory board resolution required for the binding shutdown notification?
Answer:
According to § 23a para. 1 ElWOG 2010, a shutdown notifications must be binding. The requirements for a binding notification result from the internal relationship of the company operating the power plant, according to the explanations on the EAG (Austrian law on RES, German only).


Question 3:
Is there a form for the shutdown notifications?
Answer:
In order to inform APG of the planned shutdown, the attached form under the page shutdown notifications must be used.


Question 4:
Is it possible to make a revision of the power plant during a seasonal network reserve contract? How is the remuneration for the network reserve during the revision structured?
Answer:
A revision is also possible within the framework of seasonal network reserve contracts. The remuneration during the revision within the framework of the network reserve will be announced in the conditions for the tender process of the grid reserve.


Question 5:
Will the existing EPM contracts (for the remuneration of the activations) remain or will they be redesigned?
Answer:
If there are existing EPM contracts between APG and the providers, they will continue to be valid. Necessary adaptations to the existing EPM contracts are regulated in the case of contracting for the network reserve. These adaptations will be in the general conditions for the network reserve.
If there is no EPM contract yet, this must be concluded before the start of the delivery period.


Question 6:
Can the participation in the network reserve be suspended on a monthly basis (see drop-out regulation at EPV)?
Answer:
A drop-out regulation is not foreseen according to the new legal basis on the network reserve.


Question 7:
Will there be a stakeholder meeting?
Answer:
From the current perspective, an information event (webinar) is planned for March 2021, i.e. before the call for interest.


Question 8:
In the opinion of APG, do hydropower plants also fall under the reporting obligation (according to § 23a ElWOG 2010)?
Answer:
In § 23a ElWOG 2010 no distinction is made between different power plant technologies. In this context, reference can be made to Section 7, Paragraph 1, Item 20 in conjunction with Item 38, Item 39 ElWOG 2010. The shutdown of hydropower plants with a output of more than 20 MW must therefore also be notified in a binding manner.               


Question 9:
In the opinion of APG, to which date does the obligation to submit a shutdown notification apply?
Answer:
Since the analysis of the demand for the grid reserve is an annually process, the shutdown notification must relate at least to a period of one year. Longer temporary shutdowns can also be displayed. Decommissioning periods longer than two years have no effect on the tendering of the grid reserve, as the contracts may be concluded for a maximum of two years.


Question 10:
Is the shutdown notification, which must be submitted to APG by January 31, 2021, also an obligation to report the shutdown as unavailability in accordance with REMIT.
Answer:
The mandatory notification of shutdowns in accordance with Section 23a para. 1 ElWOG must be viewed separately from those in accordance with REMIT. According to Regulation (EU) 543/2013 Art. 15 Paragraph 1.a, planned unavailability of generating units with at least 100MW must also be reported to ENTSO-E. The report is made via the provider selected for the publication of market data (e.g. EEX). More information on this topic will be published on the homepage of E-Control Austria in the next few days.


Question 11:
From APG's point of view, do longer downtimes or unavailability, e.g. resulting from maintenance measures, renovations, extensions, new buildings or revitalization, fall under the term "overhaul" or under "temporary shutdowns"?
Answer:
Temporary shutdowns are, according to Section 7 Para. 1 Item 66c ElWOG, "provisional measures with the exception of overhauls and technical malfunctions, which mean that the generating plant is no longer ready to start within 72 hours, but can be made operational again. The plant does not shut down completely ".
From APG's point of view, non-availabilities resulting from e.g. maintenance measures of a power plant are overhauls. Longer periods of non-availability (at least> 3 months) for technical reasons such as renovations, extensions, new buildings or revitalization must be reported as temporary shutdowns.
In addition, unavailability in which the power plant owner decides to temporarily stop operating the power plant for other technical, legal or economic reasons must also be reported as temporary shutdowns.


Question 12:
Are the revision periods considered in the evaluation of offers in the tender?
Answer:
The handling of revision periods as part of the selection process will be announced in the APG tender documents. The tender documents are currently being coordinated with the regulatory authority and published by the end of March 2021.


Question 13:
We are interested in the new tender for the network reserve. We therefore ask for any further information apart from the documents on the homepage. Furthermore, we ask for information as soon as the tender starts and for information on how the tender process will be timed so that we can plan the our resources in advance.
Answer:
The tender documents, which regulate the process in detail, are currently being coordinated with the regulatory authority and published on the APG website by the end of March 2021. As specified in §§ 24.a ff ElWOG 2010 and § 111 Paragraphs 4 to 6 ElWOG 2010, the tendering process will start on 31.03.2021 at the latest and consist of two stages (expression of interest and offer phase), each lasting 4 weeks.


Question14:
Are there already results on the required amount of grid reserve for the period 2021-2023 (summer and winter)?
Answer:
The maximum required amount of grid reserve will be announced (in accordance with Section 23b (2) ElWOG 2010) in the call for expressions of interest, i.e. by March 31, 2021 at the latest.


Question 15:
Is there a distinction between summer and winter demand? How is the breakdown between yearly and seasonal contracts?
Answer:
The maximum grid reserve demand and the relevant products were published in accordance with 23b (2) 1 ElWOG 2010 in the call for expressions of interest. The detailed results of analysis will be published according to 23a (3) ElWOG 2010 after the contracting of the grid reserve has been concluded.


Question 16:
Is a offer possible for each unit and also for each location (several units combined)?
Answer:
In the submission of the offer, several units can be combined to form a total offer, provided that individual offers are also made for the units. Further information on this is published in the tender documents (Chapter 5).  


Question 17:
Contract conditions: what are the key points, how is the further schedule and the involvement of stakeholders planned?
Answer:
The general terms and conditions and the tender documents have been published on the APG website since March 31, 2021. Questions about the first stage of the tender can be submitted until April 23, 2021 to netzreserve@apg.at.


Question 18:
Are there any plans to change the general terms and conditions? If yes, which ones?
Answer:
The general terms and conditions of the grid reserve have been published on the APG website since March 31, 2021.


Question 19:
When is APG planning to actively launch EPOS? 
Answer:
The operational start for EPOS (congestion management organization system) is planned for Q3 / 2021. For this purpose, the EPOS project team will send a separate report to the contracting partners concerned.


Question 20:
But if APG requests an activation test, APG also pays the costs?
Answer:
The costs of an activation test initiated by APG are borne by APG.


Question 21:
Does a corona-related postponement of a maintenance due to state rules represent a case of force majeure? 
Answer:
The answer to this question must of course be tailored to the individual case; In principle, official orders and disruptions which the contractual partner cannot prevent are listed as force majeure in the contractual conditions. In cases of force majeure, the relevant contractual obligations on both sides are suspended.


Question 22:
Can revisions that fall within the contract period (in the case of a seasonal grid reserve contract) lead to a "disadvantage" in the tendering process? When is the revision scheduling carried out? 
Answer:
In the tendering process, the planned revisions are also taken into account in the evaluation of the offers. Further information on this is published in the tender documents (Chapter 7). Additional detailed information about the evaluation of the revisions (including examples) in the tendering process will be published before the start of the offer phase. 
Note: In accordance with the General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 13), the unit must be kept available for EPM activations outside of the revision times. This means that other unavailabilities (e.g. due to official requirements, restrictions of the connection network operator) are subsumed under revisions and must be announced in the offer phase.
In the tendering process, the planned revisions as well as the possibility of postponing the revisions must be announced. The final coordination of the exact revision periods will take place after the tendering process.


Question 23:
Are there any obligations outside of the contract period (in the case of a seasonal grid reserve contract)? Such as, for example, "increased availability" or revision dates to be coordinated outside the contract period? 
Answer:
In the case of seasonal network reserve contracts, increased availability applies in the tolerance months (see tender documents, Chapter 4.2c).
Outside the contract period (e.g. in the winter months), the availability must be guaranteed for producers> 20MW, provided that no shutdown according to §23a Paragraph 1 ElWOG 2010 has been announced.
In addition, the revisions must be coordinated with APG.


Question 24:
In the event of a decommissioning of a unit, does this result in obligations such as a binding "lead time for any recommissioning during the decommissioning period"?
Answer:
In the case of temporary or temporary seasonal shutdowns, restarting of the unit must be guaranteed until the end of the indicated shutdown period. 


Question 25:
Do you already have a specific idea of the point in time by which the notification of the exact period of the shutdown is required? Is it possible to adapt to meteorological conditions as promptly as possible?
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Is the tolerance range of one month upwards and downwards to be understood in such a way that both the decommissioning and commissioning time can be shifted one month forwards or backwards and by when the final determination of the temporary decommissioning must be reported?
Answer:
The final notification of the exact period of temporary seasonal shutdowns or tolerance months must be made no later than 2 weeks before the start of the respective tolerance month. It should therefore be possible to take into account the meteorological conditions. Further information on this is published in the tender documents (Chapter 4).
This can be used to shorten the duration of the grid reserve at the beginning or at the end of the period. However, an interruption of the grid reserve period is not permitted.


Question 26:
How is the participation from providers from abroad guaranteed?
Answer:
The conditions of participation for foreign providers are published in the tender documents (Chapter 3 and Chapter 7.3).


Question 27:
Are revisions taken into account in the selection process? If yes how? 
Answer:
In the tendering process, the planned revisions are also taken into account in the evaluation of the offers. Further information on this is published in the tender documents (Chapter 7). Additional detailed information about the evaluation of the revisions (including examples) in the tendering process will be published before the start of the offer phase. 
Note: In accordance with the General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 13), the unit must be kept available for EPM activations outside of the revision times. This means that other unavailabilities (e.g. due to official requirements, restrictions of the connection network operator) are subsumed under revisions and must be announced in the offer phase.


Question 28:
Is the remuneration also paid during revisions / repair downtimes / test operation?
Answer:
The remuneration is also paid during the revisions / repair downtime / test operation, provided that this was announced at the start of the offer phase. Further information on this is published in the General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 13).


Question 29:
When is the coordination of the revisions carried out in the course? What is the timing for 2022 or for subsequent years (deadlines according to law)?
Answer:
In the tendering process, the planned revisions as well as the possibility of postponing the revisions are queried. The final coordination of the exact revision periods will take place after the tendering process.
The tendering process in the following years will be carried out in accordance with the statutory deadlines.


Question 30:
Are changes planned regarding the specifications for the calculation of the EPM activations? If yes, which?
Answer:
The offer of a specific EPM activations may still only contain the specific variable costs. Costs related to the availability (grid reserve) may not be offset in the course of the EPM activation. Further information on this is published in the general terms and conditions (Chapter 5).


Question 31:
In your opinion, what is the point in time when we know for sure that we have been contracted?
Answer:
The second phase of the tendering process is expected to be completed by the end of June with the selection of offers. According to §23b (6) ElWOG 2010, however, a contract is only possible after approval of the selection by the regulatory authority (statutory period of max. 8 weeks).


Question 32:
What does "ability and capability" no longer mean in practice? 
Answer:
With the conclusion of a network reserve contract, the system operator undertakes to keep the system available for EPM calls (with the exception of reported revisions and force majeure). Corresponding regulations can be found in the published General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 10 and Chapter 13).


Question 33:
Do consumption units have to use their grid reserve capacity the whole year?
Answer:
During the contract duration, consumption units must permanently obtain at least the offered grid reserve capacity (with the exception of the reported maintenance periods). Further information on this is published in the tender documents (Section 3.5).


Question 34:
Is, for the ranking of the offers, a price per day calculated?
Answer:
More detailed information on the selection process and the evaluation of the offers are published in the tender documents (Chapter 7). Additional detailed information about the evaluation (including examples) will be published before the start of the offer phase.


Question 35:
Contractual penalty: is there a tolerance threshold? How is the penalty exactly defined? E.g. max. 1 monthly salary per year or per month?
Answer:
The penalty in the amount of the monthly fee must be provided for each individual case, i.e. for each activation, which was not fulfilled (see General Terms and Conditions, Chapter 8). A tolerance threshold is not provided.


Question 36:
Is there a more precise definition for "unavailability"? It can be possible that techn. or environmental conditions lead to performance restrictions ...
Answer:
In accordance with the General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 13), the system must be kept available for EPM activations outside of the revision periods. This means that other unavailabilities (e.g. due to official requirements, restrictions of the connection network operator) are subsumed under revisions and must be announced in the offer phase.
Unavailabilities due to force majeure are regulated in the General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 10).


Question 37:
Is a bonus / malus system being considered for the duration of the revisions?
Answer:
If the reported revision period is exceeded, only a malus system is provided. Further information on this is published in the General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 13).


Question 38:
Is it planned to take into account limits for the contractual penalties for the unavailability? (e.g. brief unavailability of a few hours).
Answer:
The penalty in the amount of the monthly fee is provided for each individual case, i.e. for each activation that was not fulfilled (see General Terms and Conditions, Chapter 8). A tolerance threshold is not provided.


Question 39:
Do total offers also apply to units that are offered in different phases?
Answer:
A provider can combine several units classified as suitable and submit an additional total offer for them. In principle, this also applies to a combination of offers over different product periods. In any case, a separate offer must be submitted for each individual system or each individual product period.


Question 40:
Does this mean that there are different reference values for summer and winter? If YES, what is the planned procedure if an offer is above the reference value only in one period?
Answer:
A product-independent reference value is calculated as part of the tender. Further information on this is published in the tender documents (Chapter 6).


Question 41:
The decision to shorten the network reserve does not correspond to a possibility of prompt adaptation to meteorological conditions - there is no valid weather forecast 1 month in advance! A maximum of a 2 week forecast - can that be shortened to 2 weeks?
Answer:
The final notification of the exact period of temporary seasonal shutdowns or tolerance months must be made no later than 2 weeks before the start of the respective tolerance month. It should therefore be possible to take into account the meteorological conditions. Further information on this is published in the tender documents (Chapter 4). This message can be used to shorten the period at the beginning or at the end of the grid reserve period. However, an interruption of the grid reserve period is not permitted.


Question 42:
If damage occurs during the term of the contract, no remuneration will be paid for the downtime - is that correct?
Answer:
During an unplanned unavailability due to force majeure (Chapter 10 of the General Terms and Conditions), no network reserve fee will be paid. In cases of force majeure, the relevant contractual obligations on both sides are suspended.


Question 43:
What information is expected in the form “Expression of interests” under "Grid connection point"?
Answer:
For operators who know to which substation their unit is connected, the name of the substation should be entered. If this information is not available, the address where the unit is located is sufficient.




Question 44:
Does the quality of the grid reserve also have to be fulfilled during the tolerance months? (e.g. same eligibility criteria, contractual penalties, availability)?
Answer:
In the case of seasonal grid reserve contracts for the summer, all requirements must be met during the maximum product period (April-October). Exceptions to this are the requirements regarding the option to participate in the energy market and the remuneration in the tolerance months, provided that the tolerance month is used to shorten the temporary seasonal shutdown notification. The final announcement of the exact period of temporary seasonal shutdown notifications or tolerance months must be communicated no later than 2 weeks before the start of the respective tolerance month.


Question 45:
Tolerance month: Does it make a difference for the selection of offers whether a offer is made from April-October or from June-August?
Answer:
In the case of seasonal grid reserve contracts for the summer, all requirements must be met during the maximum product period (April-October). Exceptions to this are the requirements regarding the option to participate in the energy market and the remuneration in the tolerance months, provided that the tolerance month is used to shorten the temporary seasonal shutdown notification.
For the selection, the offer value in euros and the actual availability over the maximum product period are decisive. More detailed information is published in the tender documents (Chapter 7). In addition, additional explanations including examples regarding the evaluation of the offers are published before the start of the offer phase.


Question 46:
How are costs for unscheduled repairs compensated in the grid reserve?
Answer:
Due to the market-based grid reserve procurement, the remuneration is no longer cost-based. Unscheduled repairs are therefore not paid for separately. More information on the remuneration is published in the General Terms and Conditions (Chapter 7).


Question 47:
Is a flexibility in the revision period also taken into account in the evaluation of the offers? 
Answer:
The selection of the offers is based on the principle that the grid reserve demand in the first year of the observation period can be covered at the lowest cost in accordance with § 23a (2) ElWOG 2010 (§ 23b (6) ElWOG 2010). APG reserves the right to exclude offers from the selection process, if the overall unavailability (unavailability due to revisions and restrictions of the connection and transmission system operator) or if the revisions cannot be postponed, from the selection process, if therefore the grid reserve demand cannot be met consistently (see tender documents, chapter 5.6).


Question 48:
How is it ensured that other providers who are not allowed to participate in the grid reserve are not discriminated compared to grid reserve participants in case of an EPM activation?
Answer:
A Participation in the grid reserve is not a decision criterion for an EPM activation. The deployment decision is made based on availability, effectiveness and costs.


Question 49:
Is a 100% guaranteed gas supply required in the eligibility criteria for combined cycle power plants?
Answer:
According to the general terms and conditions, the providers are required to procure all fuel and auxiliary materials as well as emission allowances required for the provision of the grid reserve unit or grid reserve capacity independently and in good time and use the necessary procurement, storage and contract management. (general terms and conditions, chapter 3.6 (f))
In addition, according to the tender documents chapter 3.4, it is required that providers can continuously feed in the offered grid reserve capacity.


Question 50:
Does the remuneration change if the maintenance period is shorter than planned?
Answer:
If the duration of the maintenance period is shortened, there is no change in the remuneration. Further information is published in the general terms and conditions (chapter 13).


Question 51:
In the case of gas turbines participating in the grid reserve, the revision period depends on the number of activations per year. For precise planning, APG should also provide information on this.
Answer:
The EPM activations depend on the actual energy market conditions (water supply, feed-in of renewable energy sources, international import / export,...) and can therefore not be precisely forecasted over a longer period. However, the number of the measures required in the past is published on the APG homepage (https://www.apg.at/en/markt/Markttransparenz/Uebertragung/Redispatch).
In addition, it should be noted that an actual use or EPM activation of the grid reserve units during the contract duration is not guaranteed. The operator has no entitlement to an actual use or EPM activation of the grid reserve unit. (general terms and conditions chapter 5.1)