A Review of European Grid Service Markets Suitable for Distributed Loads

Abstract

Insufficient and unreliable data regarding European ancillary service markets lead us to carry out a survey aimed at collecting data from European transmission and distribution system operators for the purpose of understanding the markets’ capacity for accommodating distributed loads, such as water electrolysers, as balancing service providers. A review of literature enhanced the survey knowledge base in cases where surveys were not responded to. At the time of writing, the markets found to be closed to the participation of water electrolysers, included Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain. The European grid service market landscape is highly heterogeneous, with contrasts seen in market rules, transparency, technical requirements and price levels. In this report, we present the availability and utilisation prices of balancing products which are technically suited to electrolysers. We provide an overview of the market conditions and the countries found to be most favourable with respect to remuneration. Finally, we address that distribution grid services are not readily offered by distributed system operators.