Coupling of national electricity markets in Europe creates the prerequisites for the constantly growing cross-border electricity trade. Following transparent procedures, electricity traders can procure transmission capacities on the lines operated by 50Hertz. Transmission capacities between the countries lead to an active energy exchange and the electricity supply within the EU becomes more efficient and climate-neutral in general. Moreover, the cross-border lines offer additional opportunities to balance fluctuation in generation. This means an increased security of supply for all.
The technically available transmission capacities on the international lines cannot be provided for trade to the full extent. As transmission system operator (TSO), 50Hertz is particularly responsible for grid security and therefore maintains reserves that enable us to compensate for fluctuations and guarantee failsafe performance.
For the purpose of non-discriminating and transparent international electricity trading, the transmission capacity and safety margin of the relevant connections (interconnectors) are first calculated on the basis of defined models. 50Hertz constantly publishes the resulting currently available grid capacity. Transmission capacities are allocated on the platforms provided to that end or via power exchanges, both in the long term (for yearly and monthly periods) and in the short term (day-ahead and intraday). As a result, the physical electricity flow shown here is not always identical to the commercial, i.e. traded electricity flow.