Flow-based market coupling – what's all the fuss about?
Nov 29, 2024
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Frank Boerman, a Process Specialist at TenneT, and Priyanka Shinde, Nordic Market Expert at Montel News, dive into the complexities of flow-based market coupling in the Nordic power market. They discuss the transition from conventional methods to this new system, highlighting its potential for greater efficiency. The duo addresses forecasting challenges, pricing discrepancies, and the intricate dynamics of the electricity market. They also emphasize the need for transparency in data and market operations to enhance stability and stakeholder confidence.
The flow-based market coupling system enhances grid utilization and capacity allocation in the Nordic energy sector, offering potential market benefits despite initial challenges.
Critics of the new system express concerns about increased prices and complexity for smaller companies, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to adapt and understand the changes.
Deep dives
Introduction of Flow-Based Market Coupling
Flow-based market coupling is a new system implemented in the Nordic energy sector aimed at improving grid utilization and capacity allocation across borders. Unlike the previous Available Transfer Capacity (ATC) system, which provided a static capacity number per border, flow-based coupling calculates a matrix of possibilities that consider interdependencies across the grid. This method allows for adaptive capacity allocation, potentially enabling greater market access and efficiency in energy trading. The system was developed through trials among several European TSOs and has recently expanded its use to the Nordic region after a series of delays due to IT challenges.
Challenges and Concerns with Implementation
The introduction of flow-based market coupling has led to concerns among some Nordic market participants, particularly regarding price discrepancies and the complexity of forecasting under the new system. Critics, including politicians, have raised alarms about increased prices in some regions post-implementation, asserting that the system may favor larger companies that can better navigate its complexities. Instances of counterintuitive flows—where power moves from higher-priced zones to lower-priced ones—have also contributed to confusion among industry stakeholders. Overall, the adjustments required by producers and market players highlight the learning curve associated with this more intricate system.
The Future of Market Participation and Integration
Despite the initial turbulence, the flow-based market coupling is seen as a significant step towards greater market integration within the Nordic energy landscape. Experts advocate that stakeholders invest time in understanding the new system to fully exploit its benefits, emphasizing the long-term advantages of improved capacity allocation. As the system matures, participants are expected to adapt, leading to a refinement in forecasting methods and market strategies that ultimately enhance overall social welfare. The journey towards acclimatization is shared across regions, with transitions on the continent serving as a precedent for the Nordic market's evolution.
In October, the Nordic power market introduced a new calculation method for cross-zonal capacity to improve Nordic grid utilisation. However, so-called flow-based market coupling, in place for almost a decade in continental Europe, has received a rocky reception in the north. Particularly amongst policy makers and small companies.
So, what exactly is it, and why has it caused a furore in the Nordic region?
In this episode, Richard speaks to TenneT's flow-based expert Frank Boerman, to unpack exactly how the flow-based model works, and two of our Montel experts share insights on some of the challenges that the Nordic energy market has already faced under the new system.
Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Guests: Frank Boerman – Process Specialist at TenneT; Olav Vilnes – Nordic Editor, Montel News; Priyanka Shinde – Nordic Market Expert, Montel News
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