Q&A: Realtime publication of imbalances

This Q&A provide answers to questions Energinet have received concerning realtime publication of imbalances in the dataset Power System Right Now.

Q: Why are the numbers in Power System Right Now with regard to mFRR activated in DK1 and DK2 different from Nordpool and Energinet's Regulating and Balance Power, Overall Data?
A: This dataset includes Nordic activations to cover Danish needs, while the others only show Danish actors' activations. To approximate values from NordPool/Regulating and Balance Power, Overall Data, you can, in principle, approximate by subtracting physical flow from planned flow (especially for HVDC connections), as these are often deliberate changes.

Q: Why are opposite values seen for DK1 and DK2 - is it an error?
A: This is because "netting" (offsetting imbalances) is done between areas before asking actors to make physical deliveries. Netting occurs across the entire Nordic region, not just between DK1 and DK2.

Q: Can we use the dataset to estimate the dominant direction of the imbalance?
A: Currently, the dominant direction is calculated at a Nordic level, so only the Danish part of the information is available. In case of bottlenecks, the dataset will only be used to calculate the dominant direction. With the transition to the new imbalance price design, an imbalance assessment will be created for each area, and the dataset can then be used.

Q: How are "Imbalances" calculated/measured without TSO correction?
A: The imbalance is calculated as follows: Imbalance = ACE + aFRR + mFRR + netting. In plain language: Imbalance = "measured imbalance (difference between plan and actual)" + aFRR activations + mFRR activations + contribution from netting.

Q: Is special regulation included in the activations?
A: No, it only includes regular aFRR and mFRR activations.

Q: Why is the sign of "Imbalance" opposite to aFRR and mFRR activations?
A: This can be changed if desired, but from the Control Center's perspective, a negative imbalance is a lack of power, so an upregulation (+) is activated to return to zero imbalance.

Q: Is there an upper and lower limit for imbalance MW regarding when an mFRR activation is made?
A: It is very situation-specific when mFRR is activated. For example, if the Control Center expects it to correct itself soon for various reasons, no activations are made, whereas in other situations, it might trigger an activation. Similarly, with netting, if there are sufficient netting options, no activations are made, but in situations where other areas do not have an opposite imbalance, activation will be necessary.