TITLE 3

All TSOs of each synchronous area shall specify the load-frequency-control structure for the synchronous area in the synchronous area operational agreement. Each TSO shall be responsible for implementing the load-frequency-control structure of its synchronous area and operating in accordance with it. The load-frequency control structure of each synchronous area shall include: a process activation structure in accordance with Article 140; and a process responsibility structure in accordance with Article 141. The process activation structure shall include: a FCP pursuant to Article 142; a FRP pursuant to Article 143; and for the CE synchronous area, a time control process pursuant to Article 181. The process activation structure may include: a RRP pursuant to Article 144; an imbalance netting process in accordance with Article 146; a cross-border FRR activation process in accordance with Article 147; a cross-border RR activation process in accordance with Article 148; and for synchronous areas other than CE, a time control process pursuant to Article 181. When specifying the process responsibility structure, all TSOs of each synchronous area shall take into account at least the following criteria: the size and the total inertia, including synthetic inertia, of the synchronous area; the grid structure and/or network topology; and the load, generation and HVDC behaviour. By 4 months after entry into force of this Regulation, all TSOs of a synchronous area shall jointly develop a common proposal regarding the determination of the LFC blocks, which shall comply with the following requirements: a monitoring area corresponds to or is part of only one LFC area; a LFC area corresponds to or is part of only one LFC block; a LFC block corresponds to or is part of only one synchronous area; and each network element is part of only one monitoring area, only one LFC area and only one LFC block. All TSOs of each monitoring area shall continuously calculate and monitor the real-time active power interchange of the monitoring area. All TSOs of each LFC area shall: continuously monitor the FRCE of the LFC area; implement and operate a FRP for the LFC area; endeavour to fulfil the FRCE target parameters of the LFC area as defined in Article 128; and have the right to implement one or several of the processes referred to in Article 140(2). All TSOs of each LFC block shall: endeavour to fulfil the FRCE target parameters of the LFC block as defined in Article 128; and comply with the FRR dimensioning rules in accordance with Article 157 and the RR dimensioning rules in accordance with Article 160. All TSOs of each synchronous area shall: implement and operate a FCP for the synchronous area; comply with FCR dimensioning rules in accordance with Article 153; and endeavour to fulfil the frequency quality target parameters in accordance with Article 127. All TSOs of each monitoring area shall specify in the monitoring area operational agreement the allocation of responsibilities between TSOs in the monitoring area for the implementation of the obligation set out in paragraph 3. All TSOs of each LFC area shall specify in the LFC area operational agreement the allocation of responsibilities between TSOs in the LFC area for the implementation of the obligations set out in paragraph 4. All TSOs of each LFC block shall specify in the LFC block operational agreement the allocation of responsibilities between TSOs in the LFC block for the implementation of the obligations set out paragraph 5. All TSOs of each synchronous area shall specify in the synchronous area operational agreement the allocation of responsibilities between TSOs in the synchronous area for the implementation of the obligations set out in paragraph 6. All TSOs of two or more LFC areas connected by interconnections shall have the right to form an LFC block if the requirements for the LFC block set out in paragraph 5 are fulfilled. The control target of FCP shall be the stabilization of the system frequency by activation of FCR. The overall characteristic for FCR activation in a synchronous area shall reflect a monotonic decrease of the FCR activation as a function of the frequency deviation. The control target of the FRP shall be to: regulate the FRCE towards zero within the time to restore frequency; for the CE and Nordic synchronous areas, to progressively replace the activated FCR by activation of FRR in accordance with Article 145. The FRCE is: the ACE of an LFC area, where there is more than one LFC area in a synchronous area; or the frequency deviation, where one LFC area corresponds to the LFC block and the synchronous area. The ACE of a LFC area shall be calculated as the sum of the product of the K-Factor of the LFC area with the frequency deviation plus de subtraction of: the total interconnector and virtual tie-line active power flow; and the control program in accordance with Article 136. Where a LFC area consists of more than one monitoring area, all TSOs of the LFC area shall appoint one TSO in the LFC area operational agreement responsible for the implementation and operation of the frequency restoration process. Where a LFC area consists of more than one monitoring area, the frequency restoration process of this LFC area shall enable the control of the active power interchange of each monitoring area to a value determined as secure based on a real-time operational security analysis. The control target of the RRP shall be to fulfil at least one of the following goals by activation of RR: progressively restore the activated FRR; support FRR activation; for the GB and IE/NI synchronous areas, to progressively restore the activated FCR and FRR. The RRP shall be operated through instructions for manual RR activation in order to fulfil the control target in accordance with paragraph 1. Each TSO of each LFC area shall implement an automatic frequency restoration process (‘aFRP’) and a manual frequency restoration process (‘mFRP’). By 2 years after entry into force of this regulation, the TSOs of GB and IE/NI synchronous areas may each submit a proposal to their competent regulatory authorities requesting not to implement an aFRP. Those proposals shall include a cost-benefit analysis demonstrating that implementation of an aFRP would lead to higher costs than benefits. In case the proposal is approved by the competent regulatory authorities, the respective TSOs and regulatory authorities shall re-evaluate such decision at least every 4 years. If an LFC area consists of more than one monitoring area, all TSOs of the LFC area shall set out a process for the implementation of an aFRP and an mFRP in the LFC area operational agreement. Where an LFC block consists of more than one LFC area, all TSOs of the LFC areas shall set out a process for the implementation of an mFRP in the LFC block operational agreement. The aFRP shall be operated in a closed-loop manner where the FRCE is an input and the setpoint for automatic FRR activation is an output. The setpoint for automatic FRR activation shall be calculated by a single frequency restoration controller operated by a TSO within its LFC area. For the CE and Nordic synchronous areas, the frequency restoration controller shall: be an automatic control device designed to reduce the FRCE to zero; have proportional-integral behaviour; have a control algorithm which prevents the integral term of a proportional-integral controller from accumulating the control error and overshooting; and have functionalities for extraordinary operational modes for the alert and emergency states. The mFRP shall be operated through instructions for manual FRR activation in order to fulfil the control target in accordance with Article 143(1). In addition to the aFRP implementation in the LFC areas, all TSOs of an LFC block which consists of more than one LFC area shall have the right to appoint one TSO of the LFC block in the LFC block operational agreement to: calculate and monitor the FRCE of the whole LFC block; and take the FRCE of the whole LFC block into account for the calculation of the setpoint value for aFRR activation in accordance with Article 143(3) in addition to the FRCE of its LFC area. The control target of the imbalance netting process shall aim at reducing the amount of simultaneous counteracting FRR activations of the different participating LFC areas by imbalance netting power interchange. Each TSO shall have the right to implement the imbalance netting process for the LFC areas in the same LFC block, between different LFC blocks or between different synchronous areas, by concluding an imbalance netting agreement. TSOs shall implement the imbalance netting process in a way which does not affect: the stability of the FCP of the synchronous area or synchronous areas involved in the imbalance netting process; the stability of the FRP and the RRP of each LFC area operated by participating or affected TSOs; and operational security. TSOs shall implement the imbalance netting power interchange between LFC areas of a synchronous area in at least one of the following ways: by defining an active power flow over a virtual tie-line which shall be part of the FRCE calculation; by adjusting the active power flows over HVDC interconnectors. TSOs shall implement the imbalance netting power interchange between LFC areas of different synchronous areas by adjusting the active power flows over HVDC interconnectors. TSOs shall implement the imbalance netting power interchange of a LFC area in a way which does not exceed the actual amount of FRR activation necessary to regulate the FRCE of that LFC area to zero without imbalance netting power interchange. All TSOs participating in the same imbalance netting process shall ensure that the sum of all imbalance netting power interchanges is equal to zero. The imbalance netting process shall include a fallback mechanism which shall ensure that the imbalance netting power interchange of each LFC area is zero or limited to a value for which operational security can be guaranteed. Where a LFC block consists of more than one LFC area and the reserve capacity on FRR as well as the reserve capacity on RR is calculated based on the LFC block imbalances, all TSOs of the same LFC block shall implement an imbalance netting process and interchange the maximum amount of imbalance netting power defined in paragraph 6 with other LFC areas of the same LFC block. Where an imbalance netting process is implemented for LFC areas of different synchronous areas, all TSOs shall interchange the maximum amount of imbalance netting power defined in paragraph 6 with other TSOs of the same synchronous area participating in that imbalance netting process. Where an imbalance netting process is implemented for LFC areas which are not part of the same LFC block, all TSOs of the LFC blocks involved shall comply with the obligations in Article 141(5) regardless of imbalance netting power interchange. The control target of the cross-border FRR activation process shall aim at enabling a TSO to perform the FRP by frequency restoration power interchange between LFC areas. Each TSO shall have the right to implement the cross-border FRR activation process for LFC areas within the same LFC block, between different LFC blocks or between different synchronous areas by concluding a cross-border FRR activation agreement. TSOs shall implement the cross-border FRR activation process in a way which does not affect: the stability of the FCP of the synchronous area or synchronous areas involved in the cross-border FRR activation process; the stability of the FRP and the RRP of each LFC area operated by participating or affected TSOs; and operational security. TSOs shall implement the frequency restoration power interchange between LFC areas of the same synchronous area through one of the following actions: defining an active power flow over a virtual tie-line which shall be part of the FRCE calculation where FRR activation is automated; adjusting a control program or defining an active power flow over a virtual tie-line between LFC areas where FRR activation is manual; or adjusting the active power flows over HVDC interconnectors. TSOs shall implement the frequency restoration power interchange between LFC areas of different synchronous areas by adjusting the active power flows over HVDC interconnectors. All TSOs participating in the same cross-border FRR activation process shall ensure that the sum of all frequency restoration power interchanges is equal to zero. The cross-border FRR activation process shall include a fallback mechanism which shall ensure that the frequency restoration power interchange of each LFC area is zero or limited to a value for which operational security can be guaranteed. The control target of the cross-border RR activation process shall aim at enabling a TSO to perform the RRP through control program between LFC areas. Each TSO shall have the right to implement the cross-border RR activation process for LFC areas within the same LFC block, between different LFC blocks or between different synchronous areas by concluding a cross-border RR activation agreement. TSOs shall implement the cross-border RR activation process in a way which does not affect: the stability of the FCP of the synchronous area or synchronous areas involved in the cross-border RR activation process; the stability of the FRP and the RRP of each LFC area operated by participating or affected TSOs; and the operational security. TSOs shall implement the control program between LFC areas of the same synchronous area by carrying out at least one of the following actions: determining an active power flow over a virtual tie-line which shall be part of the FRCE calculation; adjusting a control program; or adjusting active power flows over HVDC interconnectors. TSOs shall implement the control program between LFC areas of different synchronous areas by adjusting active power flows over HVDC interconnectors. All TSOs participating in the same cross-border RR activation process shall ensure that the sum of all control programs is equal to zero. The cross-border RR activation process shall include a fall-back mechanism which shall ensure that the control program of each LFC area is zero or limited to a value for which operational security can be guaranteed. All TSOs participating in an exchange or sharing of FRR or RR shall implement a cross-border FRR or RR activation process, as appropriate. All TSOs of a synchronous area shall specify in the synchronous area operational agreement the roles and responsibilities of the TSOs implementing an imbalance netting process, a cross-border FRR activation process or a cross-border RR activation process between LFC areas of different LFC blocks or of different synchronous areas. All TSOs participating in the same imbalance netting process, in the same cross-border FRR activation process or in the same cross-border RR activation process shall specify in the respective agreements, the roles and responsibilities of all TSOs including: the provision of all input data necessary for: the calculation of the power interchange with respect to the operational security limits; and the performance of real-time operational security analysis by participating and affected TSOs; the responsibility of calculating the power interchange; and the implementation of operational procedures to ensure the operational security. Without prejudice to Article 146(9), (10) and (11) and as part of the agreements referred to in Articles 122, 123 and 124, all TSOs participating in the same imbalance netting process, cross-border FRR activation process or cross-border RR activation process shall have the right to specify a sequential approach for calculation of the power interchange. The sequential calculation of the power interchange shall allow any group of TSOs operating LFC areas or LFC blocks connected by interconnections to interchange imbalance netting, frequency restoration or reserve replacement power among themselves ahead of an interchange with other TSOs. TSOs who intend to exercise the right to implement an imbalance netting process, a cross-border FRR activation process, a cross-border RR activation process, an exchange of reserves or a sharing of reserves shall, 3 months before exercising such right, notify all other TSOs of the same synchronous area about: the TSOs involved; the expected amount of power interchange due to the imbalance netting process, cross-border FRR activation process or cross-border RR activation process; the reserve type and maximum amount of exchange or sharing of reserves; and the timeframe of exchange or sharing of reserves. Where an imbalance netting process, a cross-border FRR activation process or a cross-border RR activation process is implemented for LFC areas that are not part of the same LFC block, each TSO of the concerned synchronous areas shall have the right to declare itself as an affected TSO to all TSOs of the synchronous area based on an operational security analysis and within 1 month after receipt of the notification pursuant to paragraph 1. The affected TSO shall have the right to: require the provision of real-time values of imbalance netting power interchange, frequency restoration power interchange and control program necessary for real-time operational security analysis; and require the implementation of an operational procedure enabling the affected TSO to set limits for the imbalance netting power interchange, frequency restoration power interchange and control program between the respective LFC areas based on operational security analysis in real-time. All TSOs shall assess what technical infrastructure is necessary to implement and operate the processes referred to in Article 140 and considered critical pursuant to the security plan referred to in Article 26. All TSOs of a synchronous area shall specify, in the synchronous area operational agreement, minimum requirements for the availability, reliability and redundancy of the technical infrastructure referred to in paragraph 1 including: the accuracy, resolution, availability and redundancy of active power flow and virtual tie-line measurements; the availability and redundancy of digital control systems; the availability and redundancy of communication infrastructure; and communication protocols. All TSOs of a LFC block shall set out additional requirements for the availability, reliability and redundancy of the technical infrastructure in the LFC block operational agreement. Each TSO of a LFC area shall: ensure a sufficient quality and availability of the FRCE calculation; perform real-time quality monitoring of the FRCE calculation; take action in case of FRCE miscalculation; and where the FRCE is determined by the ACE, perform an ex-post quality monitoring of the FRCE calculation by comparing FRCE to reference values at least on an annual basis.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-04 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.