Current system imbalance

Elia publishes information on the instantaneous system imbalance and area control error for every minute of the past hour.

Current system imbalance and area control error

This page provides information on the instantaneous system imbalance (SI) and the instantaneous area control error (ACE) and shows how their average values have changed over the current quarter-hour.

Details of the activated balancing energy are also published here for every minute of the past hour.

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Time interval for data publication

At the specified time, the latest available data are collected and the information is displayed as fast as technically possible. The published instantaneous ACE and SI values may not be the same as the values shown in the graph charting the changes in the system imbalance and the area control error, as the time stamps may differ.

The graph showing the changes in the SI and ACE is only updated if all the information is available for the minute in question. It is updated as fast as technically possible.

All the values published here are unapproved values. They should therefore be used for indicative purposes only.

_{Elia Open Data License}

Legend

Time

The concerned minute for which the instantaneous values are published. Only events that happened in this minute are included for the calculations.
Quality Status
Indication on the reliability of the data
The possible values are the following:

Non-validated (default): no error registered during the calculation and publication run. The published data are likely but have not been validated by an operator

Data issue: at least one error registered during the calculation and publication run. The published data are uncertain and must be reviewed by an operator
SI (MW)
The instantaneous System Imbalance (SI) is the difference between the unintentional deviation from the scheduled control program for the power interchange of a control area and the frequency restoration reserves activated to cover the demands of this control area. In practice, it is calculated as described in T&C BRP.

The change in the average SI for the current quarter-hour is calculated using all values recorded since the start of the quarter-hour in question.
ACE (MW)

The Area Control Error (ACE) is the unintentional deviation from the scheduled control program for the power interchange of a control area. (all the intentional deviations from the program, due to units delivering FCR, or due to exchanges of energy on the EU balancing platforms, are therefore excluded from the ACE). In Belgium the ACE equals the FRCE (Frequency Restoration Control Error)
IGCC+ (MW)

Imported volume from neighbouring LFC areas to the Belgian LFC area in case of negative imbalances in the Belgian LFC area.
aFRR+ (MW)

Upward aFRR volumes activated in the Belgian LFC area.

Note: this includes the volumes activated for the needs of other LFC areas and excludes volumes activated in other LFC areas for the needs of the Belgian LFC area as well as volumes netted via IGCC
mFRR SA+ (MW)

Scheduled activated upward mFRR volumes in Belgium, this includes activations for other LFC areas as well
mFRR DA+ (MW)

Direct activated upward mFRR volumes in Belgium, this includes activations for other LFC areas as well
Reserve Sharing + (MW)

Activated upward (import) capacity from emergency support contracts with neighbouring transmission system operators.
IGCC- (MW)

Exported volume from the Belgian LFC area to neighbouring LFC areas in case of positive imbalances in the Belgian LFC area.
aFRR- (MW)

Downward aFRR volumes activated in the Belgian LFC area.

Note: this includes the volumes activated for the needs of other LFC areas and excludes volumes activated in other LFC areas for the needs of the Belgian LFC area as well as volumes netted via IGCC
mFRR SA- (MW)

Scheduled activated downward mFRR volumes in Belgium, this includes activations for other LFC areas as well
mFRR DA- (MW)

Direct activated downward mFRR energy bids in Belgium, this includes activations for other LFC areas as well
Reserve Sharing – (MW)

Activated downward (export) capacity from emergency support contracts with neighbouring transmission system operators.

Useful links

Open DataClick here to access to access all grid data published by Elia. The data can be easily explored, downloaded in standard file formats and accessed via API’s for use by other applications.

Role of the Balance Responsible PartyFor more information about the role of the BRP and how to become one, and for more details about imbalance tariffs, visit our 'Role of the BRP' page.

Keeping the balance

To find out more about the balancing mechanism and learn how to become a Balance Service Provider, see our 'Keeping the balance' page.

Contact

Any questions about balancing data?

transparency@elia.be

Imbalance prices (1 min)

Elia publishes an imbalance price calculated based on cumulative activated volumes per minute.

Imbalance prices (15 min)

Elia publishes imbalance price applied if an imbalance is found between injections and offtakes in a BRP's balance area.

Grid Data

In the interest of transparency and in accordance with its legal obligations, Elia publishes data about the Belgian electricity market. Return to the Grid Data homepage for an overview of the different sections.

Return to the Grid Data homepage

Balancing data

Consult the data in quasi real time on the restoration of the balance of the electrical system.

Back to the Balancing Data homepage

Current system imbalance