Sending reference data about the balance responsible party system is one of the responsibilities of the distribution system operators in the allocation process.

Indeed, since 1 July 2007, all French consumers have been able to choose their electricity supplier. All load extraction from and all injection into the transmission or distribution system must be allocated to a balance responsible party (BRP).

This is why RTE needs data from distribution system operators so it can calculate BRP imbalances and invoice for them accurately.

What is the reference data in the BRP system?

As part of the allocation process, the distribution system operators and RTE exchange reference data and dynamic data. For each site connected up to its network, the distribution system operator ensures that it is attached to a BRP. It must also monitor links between the site and the BRP over time, as well as managing the list of BRPs that are active on its network.

The reference data is used to check the exhaustive nature of the dynamic data exchanged. Here is the list:

• list of BRPs
• list of DSOs
• links between DSOs
• BRP designated for DSO's power losses

Data quality is a fundamental consideration: the DSO is responsible for checking the quality of data that it produces and sends to RTE.

What channel is used to exchange dynamic data between RTE and the DSOs?

Via the Services Portal

The “Declare BRPs active on your distribution network" service allows the (rank 1 and rank 2) DSO or its authorised representative to:

• Directly modify details about balance-responsible entities’ (BRP) activities on its network (add a BRP, input an end-of-activity date for a BRP, enter a power loss BRP).
• View information about BRPs active on its network.
• View and export activity logs for BRP activity on its network
• Access the list of active BRPs.

It can be accessed via RTE's Services Portal and requires two-step authentication (private access to the Services Portal + email verification). A "help" section featuring video tutorials will help you get up and running with the service.

A list of DSOs is available here.

If you want to update items on the following tabs, you will still need to send the details by email to your project manager (standard channel, PKI certificate not needed):

• Information about the DSO
• List of BRP-Site NEB on the DSO
• List of links between DSOs

When should you send your reference data to RTE?

Via the “Declare BRPs active on your distribution network” service, your reference data must be declared before the date that the changes take effect.

Accessing RTE's IT system

Data is mainly exchanged between RTE and the DSOs electronically. You or your authorised representative need to have a means of accessing RTE's IT system– specifically a PKI certificate.

The reference data to be sent by standard email is described in the paragraph "What files are used to exchange reference data between RTE and the DSOs? Via which channel?” on this page.

Reference data is exchanged between the DSOs and RTE via the “Declare your active BREs” service. You need to create an account on RTE’s Services Portal(and possibly declare a primary administrator if your company does not already have one).

Appointing a third party to exchange your data

If you do not want to send your data or if you do not have the means to do so yourself, you can appoint another company (which may itself be a DSO) to manage all or part of your data exchanges with RTE. To do this, you need to sign a power of attorney, and complete the dedicated appendices in the rules for the mechanism in question.

The principal DSO remains liable for any adverse consequences which may result from the execution or non-execution of all obligations, the aforementioned power of attorney notwithstanding.

What are the consequences of failing to send the reference data in the allotted time or of errors in the files?

Financial consequences for clients

In order to invoice users of the transmission and distribution networks as accurately as possible, RTE uses the allocation process. It is therefore vital that the data sent by the DSOs be reliable and of a high quality.

• Incorrectly allocated curves result in incorrect invoicing > risk of disputes.
• Energy imbalances resulting from curves not being provided are distributed across all BRPs.  The whole community therefore only bears the imbalances of some BRPs > unfair treatment

Consequences for the power system's balancing

High-quality data ensures that the BRPs have accurate knowledge of their balancing perimeter:

• Responsiveness: rapid access to metering data provides them with short-term visibility.
• Transparency: more accurate consumption forecasts.

> more accurate balancing.

Providing high-quality data falls within system operators' public service remit.

Who to contact if you need help

If you have any technical problems when sending data, you may telephone 0810 80 50 50 or email rte-hotline@rte-france.com (Hotline RTE)

For all other questions, contact your Client Relations Manager or marketservices@rte-france.com

Reference documents

The way in which each demand response mechanism works is governed by specific rules which are supplemented by IT rules or implementation guides:

• Guide for implementing data exchanges between RTE and the DSOs for the BRP system, available at the bottom of the page To reconstitute the balance responsible party system flows