European Network of Electricity Transmission System Operators

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) is the European association of electricity transmission system operators. It is the successor to the Association of European Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ETSO) founded in 1999 in response to the emergence of an electricity market within the European Union.

History

On June 27, 2008, the 36th TSO meeting signed in Prague a declaration of intent to create ENTSO-E. ENTSO-E was established on December 19, 2008 in Brussels by the 42nd TSO meeting as the successor to six regional associations of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. ENTSO-E became operational on July 1, 2009. The constituent associations ETSO, ATSOI, UKTSOA, NORDEL, UCTE and BALTSO were part of ENTSO-E, while still providing data from their proceedings in the public interest.

Objectives

The creation of ENTSO-E was initiated with the adoption of the third legislative package of the European Union on gas and electricity markets. In 2003, the European Commission requested sectoral information concerning electricity market competition in six European countries. The final report established serious issues to be resolved. It was noted that the integration between the markets of the member states was still insufficient. As a result, the third legislative package on electricity and gas markets in the EU was adopted by the European Commission in September 2007.

Geographical area

The geographical area covered by ENTSO-E members is divided into five large-area synchronous networks and two isolated systems (Cyprus and Iceland). The synchronous areas are groups of countries that are connected through their respective power systems. The system frequency (50 Hz, with generally minor deviations) is synchronized within each area, and a disturbance at a single point in the area will be registered throughout the area. The individual synchronous areas are connected to each other through DC interconnectors.
The benefits of synchronized areas include pooling of generation capacities and common provisioning of reserves, resulting in cost savings, and mutual assistance in case of accidents, resulting in savings in standby power costs (e.g., in case of disruption or outage).

Members

ENTSO-E currently contains 43 TSOs from 36 countries, which now share six synchronized transmission grids in the EU.

Electronic Data Interchange

An open European electricity market needs considerable electronic data exchange between all market participants to improve coordination between the different international systems. ENTSO-E aims to provide all participants with the necessary information on existing EDI standards and their specifications. In partnership with ebiX and EFET (European Federation of Energy Operators), ENTSO-E maintains a harmonized model for the European electricity market.

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