Sending capacity mechanism data is part of the distribution system operators’ (DSOs) missions, in accordance with the capacity mechanism terms and conditions and the DSO-RTE agreements. RTE guides you through the process by providing information pages dedicated to your data exchanges with RTE.

The role of distribution system operators

The capacity mechanism  is intended to safeguard the security of electricity supply in France during peak winter periods. It is based on 2 pillars:

• obligation for obligated parties to cover consumption during times of stress on the grid,

• and the certification and settlement of generation and demand response capacities.

Obligated parties have consumption sites in their obligated party perimeter which are connected to the networks of electricity distribution system operators.  Similarly, operators have generation or demand response capacities connected to networks of electricity distribution system operators.  In application of the French Energy Code, each DSO must send RTE the data from market participants in its perimeter:

• for Certified Entities (CE) made up of sites connected to its network, to allow RTE to certify and subsequently monitor the capacities,

• for obligated parties, to allow RTE to calculate their obligation.

What data are exchanged between the DSOs and RTE?

The DSO is responsible for monitoring the quality of its data and the data it submits to RTE. To do this, it is in charge of the following functions:

Certification

• calculate the Certified Capacity Level (NCC) for all generation or demand response Certified Entities (CE) connected to its network to allow RTE to deliver the correct volumes of capacity certificates to capacity operators.

• Allow RTE to verify the effective availability of Certified Entities (CE), by collecting the certification parameters of the CEs connected to their network and by monitoring them.

View the detail of the different stages and data exchanges associated with the certification process in sheets 1 to 9 of the information sheets.

The capacity mechanism IS terms and conditions - the certification component to specify the terms for transmission of data relating to certification.

Obligation

• Manage the connection of all consumption sites of their network to an obligated party perimeter for each delivery year.

• Calculate the reference power for the obligated party sub-perimeters which concern them (consumption sites connected to a market participant’s perimeter and connected to their network) to allow RTE to calculate each obligated party’s capacity obligation.

View the detail of the different stages and data exchanges associated with the obligation process in sheets 10 to 13 of the information sheets.

The capacity mechanism IS terms and conditions - the obligation component to specify the terms for transmission of data relating to obligation

What are the deadlines for data exchanges between the DSOs and RTE?

Overview of data exchanges relating to certification

Overview of the data exchanges relating to the calculation of obligation over 4 years

Overview of data exchanges relating to the calculation of obligation over 1 rolling year (excluding PEB and NEC time series submitted by RTE)

Access the IS for data exchange

The capacity mechanism data are exchanged between a DSO and RTE via dedicated IS applications and in accordance with the file formats defined.

The two dedicated applications are:

• RMC: for data collection relating to capacity obligation.
• SFTP: for data collection relating to capacity certificates.

To access these services, you firstly need to have an EIC code (Energy Identification Code required for computerised data exchange within the European energy market) for your company. If you don't have one, you need to request this code from the local issuing office of EIC codes.

The steps to follow to access the dedicated applications are the following:

RMC platform

Access to this secure platform is controlled and requires a PKI certificate.

• If you already have a PKI certificate installed on your browser or on the server to retrieve the data, but do not have access to the appropriate applications, you simply need updated rights associated with the certificate. Please contact the RTE hotline (0810 80 50 50 or rte-hotline@rte-france.com) stating the new data that you wish to exchange with RTE.
• If you do not have a PKI certificate or if server communicating with the RTE IS does not, fill in the form for access to the IS on the RTE customer service portal (by ticking the "distributor" box and then the boxes for the mechanisms you wish to send data to). A new certificate will be sent to you.
• For data exchange concerning calculation of obligation and capacity mechanism specific data collection, you are also required to sign the RTE-DSO Obligation agreement which sets out the rules for data exchange.

SFTP server

1. Please send your request to rte-dsit-mco-aoc-rega@rte-france.com adding the EIC code and the public IP address of your company.
2. RTE creates the account and allows the IP address to access the server.
3. Your user ID and password will be sent to you.
4. You can then enter your data on the SFTP server via a Filezilla type FTP tool.
5. For data exchange concerning CE control and and the collection of data specific to the capacity mechanism, you are also required to sign the RTE-DSO Certification agreement which sets out the rules for data exchange.

You can then access each of the RMC and SFTP applications from the webpage Access the Market Applications.

To help you use the RMC and SFTP applications, RTE provides tutorials for using IS applications in the context of the capacity mechanism.

Additional info

• Presentation of the capacity mechanism

• The role of distribution system operators in electricity markets

Contact

For all questions relating to the operational implementation of the mechanism, please contact RTE at: rte-mecanismecapacite@rte-france.com.

For all technical aspects related to the information system, please contact the RTE hotline:

• International phone number for customers based abroad (free service) : +800 80 50 50 50
• Phone number for customers based in France only: 0810 80 50 50
• Email rte-hotline@rte-france.com

For additional information, your account manager is also available or marketservices@rte-france.com.