SurveyManager

As a transmission system operator and control area manager, APG plays a key role in many processes related to the energy transition. Ensuring the continuous operation of the APG grid while simultaneously integrating increasing capacities from wind, solar, and battery storage poses a particular challenge. The same applies to long-term planning: To ensure that it can continue to reliably provide and operate the necessary electricity infrastructure in accordance with the legal obligations of transmission system operators, APG must prepare a Network Development Plan (NEP) every two years, covering the following ten years, and submit it to the regulatory authority for approval. Strategic long-term planning looks at even longer time horizons, extending beyond 2040.

In planning, the quality and consistency of the data used for projects and forecasts are of utmost importance. Only with sufficient data at the appropriate level of detail and quality can it be ensured that the grid is neither under- nor oversized. As electrification increases, so does the number of consumption and feed-in projects that APG must take into account in its various planning processes. A comprehensive overview of all energy projects relevant to grid planning and their current status is currently lacking or available only to a very limited extent. Specifically, we have encountered the following challenges, among others:

• Long-term planning foundations: Grid infrastructure is built to last for decades and therefore requires forward-looking planning foundations. This can be significantly supported by early information from project proponents, ideally already during the planning phase.
• Timing and timely reporting: As part of its responsibilities in the area of grid development, both nationally and at the European level, APG must adhere to recurring statutory deadlines. Information on projects in their early phases, regular updates, and reliable access to this data are necessary to ensure that the most up-to-date information is always available for planning processes.
• Geographic accuracy: The precise location of energy projects is essential for grid planning. Missing information on the geographical location can lead to incorrect siting and, consequently, inaccurate forecasts of grid loads.
• Consistency of project parameters: Reliable data in a standardized format is of utmost importance for project planning. Inconsistencies lead to inefficiencies in data processing and increase the likelihood of errors.

To meet these growing demands, APG continuously evaluates and improves its existing processes. As part of this effort, the ‘SurveyManager’ was introduced as a standardized, digital data collection platform. It enables data to be entered centrally via a standardized form, displayed in various visualizations, and efficiently processed within the various APG processes. Overall, a standardized and transparent data foundation strengthens collaboration among all stakeholders, facilitates coordination, and significantly improves the quality of planning and investment decisions in the context of the energy transition. The ‘SurveyManager’ also helps APG comply with a legal requirement: the new Austrian Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) refers to a “platform made available” on the APG website where data is to be submitted (Section 123, Paragraph 9).

The ‘SurveyManager’ is used to comply with a number of legal requirements and data reporting obligations. Currently, this applies to the following processes:

• Grid access requests pursuant to Art. 100 ElWG (implemented)
• Market participant reports pursuant to Art. 123(9) ElWG (under development)
• Distribution Network Development Plans (V-NEP) pursuant to Art. 118 ElWG (under development)
• Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA) pursuant to Art. 150 ElWG (implemented)

Grid Access Requests

An application for grid connection is required for the new installation of a grid connection or the modification of an existing grid connection with APG. The application is submitted via the ‘SurveyManager’. First-time users must register and have their account activated by APG. The application must include all required project-specific data and be accompanied by the documents necessary to assess the grid connection.

You can find detailed information about this process here.

Market Participant Reports (still under development)

Pursuant to Section 123(9) of the Austrian Electricity Industry Act (ElWG), all market participants must report project data to the TSO for facilities with a capacity of 1 MW or more that are “being constructed, expanded, or modified.” This includes “data on the project status,” as well as “basic data, consumption forecasts, changes to the grid configuration, measured values, and technical and other relevant project documentation.”

To enable market participants to fulfill this legal obligation, the ‘SurveyManager’ will offer the option of entering projects as so-called “market participant reports”, regardless of their current stage of development. These projects can then be updated as their status changes. Projects requiring connection to the APG grid must also submit a grid access request (see above).

The market participant report feature is scheduled to go live later this year.

Distribution Network Development Plans (V-NEPs)

Like TSOs, DSOs must also prepare grid development plans. In this context, the Austrian Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) stipulates that DSOs must submit the planning assumptions and flexibility potentials underlying their Distribution Network Development Plans (V-NEPs) to the TSOs (Section 118(4) ElWG). The TSOs, in turn, use this data to prepare a report that assesses consistency with the assumptions made in other key planning tools. The report also evaluates the expansion needs in the transmission grid resulting from the V-NEPs.

Section 123(9) of the ElWG further stipulates that the platform provided by the TSOs on their website must be used to submit the necessary data. The exact procedure and scope of data submission are currently being revised.

Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA)

The Flexibility Needs Assessment (FNA), defined in Section 150 of the Austrian Electricity Industry Act (ElWG), determines flexibility requirements in both directions — load increase/generation reduction versus load reduction/generation increase — and across various time horizons. These needs are assessed every two years at both the transmission and distribution grid levels and reported by the transmission and distribution system operators to the regulatory authority. The regulatory authority then prepares a report. To support standardized data reporting by distribution system operators, APG has made the ‘SurveyManager’ available. The plan is to maintain this process in the future as well, particularly since digital reporting not only facilitates data collection by ECA but also enables the fine-tuning process, which has to be carried out by APG to be conducted efficiently.

The importance of the ‘SurveyManager’ as a central platform for consolidating a wide range of data collections for APG’s system planning processes has already been outlined. However, the benefits are not limited to APG: Project developers and distribution system operators also benefit from the standardized and user-friendly interface. Technical and general project data can be conveniently entered via structured input forms and, depending on the survey, can also be imported via upload. Since the respective project status is also recorded as part of the market participant registration, existing entries can be easily updated and maintained when project details change. This reduces the effort required for data entry and ensures a consistent database throughout the entire project lifecycle.

For grid planning, the ‘SurveyManager’ is an essential tool, as it creates a continuous, structured, and reliable data foundation. The information obtained facilitates a targeted analysis of future grid requirements and supports the development of sustainable and efficient grid expansion strategies.

Of particular note are the interactive map visualizations, which provide an immediate overview of the geographic distribution of generation, consumption, and storage projects. Precise location tracking is possible down to the substation level. Market participants thus gain not only a transparent overview of the progress of their projects, but also insights into potential challenges and interactions within the grid environment.

To submit data to the ‘SurveyManager’, you must first register. To do so, click “Not a user yet? Register now!” in the login window. Enter the following information in the registration form:

• First name
• Last name
• Email address
• Company
• Reason for registration (Please specify which process—grid access request, market participant registration, Flexibility Needs Assessment, or distribution network development plan—you are registering for.)

Your registration will then be reviewed by our administrators. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email containing your login credentials, which are required for your first login. You can use these credentials to set up your password and two-factor authentication. The email will also include detailed instructions on how to complete the rest of the registration process. You can also find these instructions in the download section below.

Once you have registered, you will have access to instructions on how to submit projects to ongoing surveys and how to use the visualizations on the platform. If you are interested, we would also be happy to offer you a virtual onboarding session, during which you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the system. To schedule a session, please contact surveymanager@apg.at directly.