APCS performs the so-called ‘clearing’ on a monthly basis. For this purpose, each grid operator must transmit all meter readings and measured values every quarter of an hour. This also includes the disclosure of generation units and grid transfer quantities to other grids.
Electricity traders must submit their business activities in the form of ‘trading schedules’. To ensure that the system is self-contained, the control area manager reports import and export quantities as well as the energy quantities required to regulate the entire grid to APCS.
Of course, there are sometimes significant differences between consumption forecasts and actual consumption, or between generation forecasts and actual generation, which can endanger the stability of the electricity grid. However, the control area manager has the appropriate tools at their disposal to correct these fluctuations in the electricity grid.
These instruments are usually power stations that can be ramped up or ramped down in response to short-term demand.
In Austria, not only has the trading of electricity been liberalised, but also the trading of the energy required to stabilise the grids, known as balancing energy.
This trading of balancing energy has been handled by Austrian Power Grid AG since 1 January 2012. APCS provides all registered balancing service providers with all information on tenders, balancing energy offers and calls on the APCS clearing platform.
Competition in the relevant tenders ensures that the grid is kept in balance with the most favourable offer. This system ensures that all companies provide the most accurate generation and consumption forecasts possible, as no one wants to receive a high balancing energy invoice.
As part of the monthly clearing process, the imbalance energy volumes for each market participant are determined for every quarter hour of the past month.
The clearing prices for each quarter hour are determined using a market-oriented clearing price model. There is only one price per time unit. The prices of the balancing energy market and the energy exchange are included in the calculation of the clearing prices. The clearing price model is designed in such a way that high imbalance energy volumes also mean high clearing prices. The costs of the balancing energy resources incurred during the month for the various balancing energy qualities (aFRR, mFRR, unintended exchange) are allocated to the imbalance energy settlement.
The imbalance energy quantities incurred per quarter hour are allocated to the clearing price for the respective quarter hour; this ensures that those responsible for the balancing energy requirement also bear the costs.
On this basis, invoices or credit notes are issued for all market participants (BGR and grid operators) in the APG control area.
Technical clearing
Determining imbalance energy is one of APCS's main tasks.
This involves calculating the balance of all feed-in and off-take for each balance group in the control area for every quarter of an hour (in the middle of the month following the settlement month), with this data being transmitted to APCS by the BGR and grid operators via an internet-based system. Precise monitoring and effective control of the clearing is carried out by APCS clearing staff.
General and further information regarding participation in the electricity market in the APG control area can be found under the heading Rules and Regulations. If you have any questions, you can also contact one of our employees.
Financial clearing
On behalf of APCS, OeKB issues monthly invoices for imbalance energy and clearing fees based on the quantity and cost data provided.
OeKB is also responsible for payment processing and risk management.
The clearing platform provided also allows you to view your invoices and check your collateral deposits.
If you have any difficulties accessing the platform, please contact our staff.
Legend
1st Clearing
Internal trading schedules have to be sent to APCS by 14:30 CET of the previous working day and can be updated till 16:00 CET on the 1st working day after delivery.
The dates of the 1st clearing are set as follows:
- Clearing deadline (10th day of the following month; 8 working days for data submission + 2 working days extension)
- Plausibility check (Clearing deadline + 5 working days)
- Invoicing (Plausibility check + 3 working days)
- Direct debit value date (Invoicing + 3 working days)
Bank holidays: 24.12., Good Friday and all Austrian public holidays
2nd Clearing
The dates for the 2nd clearing are set as follows:
- Clearing deadline (last working day of the 14th month on)
- Quality check (Plausibility check 1st Clearing of the 14th month on + 2 working days)
- Invoicing (Quality check + 2 working days, if this is a Friday, invoices will be sent on the next working day)
- Direct debit value date (Invoicing + 3 working days)
Bank holidays: 24.12., Good Friday and all Austrian public holidays
Clearing
Data transfer and security
To ensure the secure transmission of your data (schedules, measured values), you will need:
- An email address registered in our system that you wish to use to send your data, and
- a certificate that identifies this email address, as well as
- a key exchange, if necessary.
Clearing
Cost overview
Chargeable data services provided by APCS:
- Subsequent charging
EUR 1.500,00 per subsequent charging and month
You can obtain more detailed information on the subsequent charging process in the technical clearing section.
- Resending of load profiles
EUR 7,00 per Load profile
Orders are placed using the link to the forms below.
