Scoping the Framework Guidelines on Interoperability Rules for European Gas Transmission

1. Scoping the Framework Guidelineson Interoperability Rules for European Gas Transmission Geert Van Hauwermeiren Workshop, Ljubljana, 13 Sept 2011

2. FG on Interoperability Rules – update • A scoping document was prepared in the course of this summer • Today’s workshop with stakeholders is organised to determine the scope of the next Framework Guideline • Deadline for submitting feedback is 19th September • Invitation by EC to start drafting the FG is expected this October

3. Objective of today’s workshop • Determination of the approach followed for operational/technical Framework Guidelines; • Determination of the issues that should be part of the FG on Interoperability Rules for the European Gas Transmission Networks; • Clarity on the expected level of detail and level of harmonisation.

4. Structure of today’s workshop • This presentation will guide us through the document, with an invitation to intervene after each cluster of topics, the clusters being: • General introduction, definition and application; • Organisational interface (Nomination Process, Interconnection Agreements); • Technical interface (Gas quality, Harmonisation of Units, Capacity Calculation); • Communication interface (Data Exchange).

5. Objective of FG on Interoperability Rules • Smooth cooperation among system operators and between system operators and system users, agreeing on technical parameters, writing down operational procedures and agreeing on the protocol on how to inform each other. • The procedures of the operational and technical domain can strongly influence the development of markets. • To ensure and maintain system integrity and the continuity of supply, system operators do not only have to invest in infrastructure, but also have to focus on operational and interconnection agreements.

6. Development of the “scoping” document • ACER has taken into account : • Rules governing the internal market; • The standardisation mandates on gas quality and biomethane given by the European Commission to CEN (mandates M/400 and M/475); • Interoperability papers already developed by ENTSOG; • The Common Business Practices (CBPs) developed by EASEE-gas; • ACER places this work in the context of its work for FGs (CAM, Balancing as well as in line with Commission guidelines on transparency and future CMP).

7. Definition of the term “Interoperability” • Technical definition : “Interoperability refers to the ability of diverse transmission systems to work together (inter-operate) in a technical system operational sense in order to facilitate the exchange of gas across networks, taking into account organizational factors that impact system to system performance and realising simple and reliable exchange of information between system operators as well as between system operators and system users. • Definition from users’ perspective: One overall aim of interoperability is to ensure that users of transmission systems in Europe do not face any additional technical, commercial or operational barriers compared with if the relevant networks were efficiently operated by a single entity.”

8. Application of the Framework Guidelines • The application shall cover : • interconnection points between adjacent entry/exit systems (so not only on cross-border points) • all other entry and exit points of those entry/exit systems (e.g. linked to storage, LNG, production facilities and end consumers including these exit points which are connected to distribution systems) where gas can enter or exit the system.”

9. Questions • Questions to be answered on Definition about: • The understanding of the term “interoperability”; • Clarity to differentiate with other FGs; • The sensibility for a wider scope, e.g. on “power-to-gas” and “gas-to-power” applications; • Including issues regarding technical and operational harmonisation for gas systems including transmission, LNG, storage and distribution?

10. Questions • Questions to be answered on Application : • Agreement on the application of this Framework Guideline; • Alignment with other FGs; • Differentiation on application between issues.

11. Organisational interface • Nomination Process • Gas day • Re-Nomination Regime • Operational constraints • Interconnection Agreements • Matching, Rules for flow control, Measurement principles of gas quantities and quality, Rules for allocating measured gas quantities,...

12. Questions • Questions to be answered on Nomination Process: • To find agreement on the need to treat this issue to solve barriers (Identification? Reasons? Within the scope of this FG?); • To find out if repetition of the gas day definition is needed (completed towards daylight saving time); • To identify the link with the FG on emergency procedures

13. Questions • Questions to be answered on Interconnection agreements: • To find agreement on the need to treat this issue to solve barriers (Identification? Reasons? Within the scope of this FG?); • Is standardisation of the complete agreement needed or only detailed harmonisation of a couple of issues? Or both;

14. Technical interface • Units Harmonisation • Gas Quality • Capacity Calculation

15. Questions • Questions to be answered on Units Harmonisation: • To find agreement on the need to treat this issue to solve barriers (Identification? Reasons? Within the scope of this FG?); • Pressure, Energy, Volume, Temperature, Gross Calorific Value, and …?;

16. Questions • Questions to be answered on Gas Quality: • To find out the level of harmonisation that is needed of certain aspects of gas quality (parameters, odorisation, biogas, L-gas, ...?); • To find agreement on the need to treat this issue to solve barriers (Identification? Reasons? Within the scope of this FG?);

17. Questions • Questions to be answered on Capacity Calculation: • To find agreement on the need to treat this issue to solve barriers (Identification? Reasons? Within the scope of this FG?); • If methods of capacity calculation have to be further specified?

18. Communication interface • Data Exchange

19. Questions • Questions to be answered on Data Exchange: • To find agreement on the need to treat this issue to solve barriers (Identification? Reasons? Within the scope of this FG?); • Is there room for a broader scope than treated in the FG CAM? • Shall a specific standard protocol for data exchange be defined in the Framework Guideline?

20. Interaction with other FGs Inclusion or separation of these/other topics, from other areas specified in Article 8(6) of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 : • network security and reliability rules; • network connection rules; • third-party access rules; • data exchange and settlement rules; and • operational procedures in an emergency.

21. Thank you for your attention www.acer.europa.eu