Prequalification

A reserve providing unit or group has the possibility to undergo a limited prequalification that is valid for a period of six months. During this time, the unit/group is allowed to adjust some of its parameters for optimization while delivering reserves at the same time. When these six months have passed an ordinary prequalification application has to be submitted in order to continue providing reserves.

Document about limited prequalification (in Swedish) (.pdf) Opens in a new window

Sending an application for limited prequalification

To initiate a limited prequalification the applicant first need to send an application to initiate a limited prequalification to Svenska kraftnät via Alfresco or Deaddrop.

The application to initiate a limited prequalification should state and make the case for why a limited prequalification is necessary and what parameters need to be optimized and problems solved.

When submitting the application to initiate limited prequalification Svenska kraftnät shall be notified via e-mail. The subject should be marked with “Application to initiate limited prequalification” and the email shall specify the following:

• basic info on the resource in question (name, technology, energy source, etc.)
• the ancillary services covered by the application.
• Name of applying company (BSP or potential BSP)
• if the application is sent via Alfresco or Deaddrop.

Svenska kraftnät will assess if the resource will fulfill the technical requirements during the six month optimization period and notify the applicant by e-mail if the application to initiate limited prequalification is approved or denied.

If the resource is approved, the provider plan for tests and prequalifies their resource according to the standard prequalification procedure. 

If a subcontractor is the one providing the reserves through a BSP, it is ultimately the BSP who has the responsibility towards Svenska kraftnät.

This means that the BSP is responsible for that the subcontractor can deliver the ancillary service in compliance with the requirements in the agreements. BSP has to make sure that the subcontractor can provide the reserves while having systematically implemented security procedures related to IT. For example, the subcontractor should be able to present the work they have done to ensure correct data reporting and availability during operation.

Please notify Svenska kraftnät by e-mail at least three weeks in advance to the intended date for the prequalification tests. This is to allow Svenska kraftnät to send an observer to be present during the tests. The message should contain information on:

• The name of the unit or group,
• Name of applying company (BSP or potential BSP),
• Electricity area where the unit or group is located,
• Energy source,
• Ancillary services that will be tested (if the tests are intended for FCR: please notify us if dynamic of static delivery will be tested),
• Place where the tests are to be performed.

Note that Svenska kraftnät has the right to demand a change in test date if needed.

Use the following e-mails for each respective reserve: 
FFR: ffr@svk.se

FCR-N and FCR-D (up and down): fcr@svk.se

aFRR: afrr@svk.se

mFRR: mfrr@svk.se

The prequalification tests are described in the test programs attached at the bottom of this page.

The purpose of type qualification is to enable addition of practically identical units without having to perform new tests for every added unit.

Type qualification is applicable for units that are standardized, small, and aggregated in large numbers. An aggregation of a large number of standardized, small units must be tested in the initial prequalification for type qualification to be approved. Units that are added later through type qualification may have a maximum FCR-capacity of 100 kW.

How many units must be included?

The number of units that has to be included in the initial prequalification for type qualification to be approved is determined on an individual basis, with regards to the description of the aggregation given in the application form. However, a rule of thumb is that type qualification will generally not be approved for aggregations of less than ten units.

During the initial prequalification of an aggregation, all constituent units available at the time of the testing should be included in the tests.

The provider of FCR must specify the units included in the aggregation that is to be prequalified. This is specified in Table 1 in the application form, or alternatively by attaching a separate list with the corresponding information.

In section 3.1 Aggregation in the application form, the system of aggregation shall be described in detail. In the same section, the provider must indicate whether type qualification is requested, and if so, give a description of the units that should be type qualified. This also includes that the control system for the ancillary service activation shall be described for both the initial aggregation and the units that will be added later, and how it is ensured that the extension does not worsen the compliance with requirements for the aggregation.

The description in the initial application must include information about for instance

• technology
• FCR-capacity
• response during activation and deactivation of FCR
• control system for the ancillary service activation
• and other relevant factors.

If the description is not considered sufficient, it may result in that type qualification is not approved.

The aggregation in the initial application must demonstrate a satisfactory and convincing compliance with requirements for type qualification to be approved. This implies that the test results during prequalification shall pass the requirements comfortably, especially with regards to activation time and stability. The purpose with such compliance with requirements is to mitigate the risk that comes with extension of units that are not tested. If a convincing compliance with requirements is not demonstrated, for example by meeting the requirements with small margins, then it is possible that the extension will not comply with the requirements, which can entail risks for the power system.

Overall, the following is required for type qualification to be approved:

• sufficient description of aggregation, control system and planned extension in initial application
• prequalification tests show a convincing compliance with the requirements.

Note that type qualification is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Adding type qualified units after approved prequalification

A provider of FCR must notify Svenska kraftnät of any extension of a prequalified unit or group through type qualification by sending an email to FCR@svk.se. The following information must be listed in the email:

• case number of the application associated with the type qualified units
• which unit type the extension concerns (e.g. battery)
• rated power (does not have to be identical with resources prequalified in initial application)
• FCR-capacity per unit (maximum of 100 kW per unit)
• bidding area (must be the same as in initial application)
• if the initial prequalification was for a unit: certify that the additions are located behind the same connection point (see section “The addition of type qualified units must not cause the prequalified resource’s classification to change from “unit” to “group” below)
• local or central control (must be the same as in initial application)
• if the control system and response during activation and deactivation of FCR is equivalent for the extension and the initial aggregation
• total capacity of the extension.

The provider is allowed to extend the prequalified capacity by 1 MW or 25% of initial prequalification (up to a maximum of 3 MW), whichever is higher.¹  After the extension, the technical ability of the group must be equal to, or better than, the ability of the group during the original prequalification.

Svenska kraftnät may deny the expansion if it does not comply with the require-ments for type qualification. For example, if the added units are not practically identical to the units that type qualification was approved for in the initial applica-tion.

The addition of type qualified units must not cause the prequalified resource’s classification to change from “unit” to “group”

The definitions of “unit” and “group” come from article 3 in regulation (EU) 2017/1485.²

To prequalify under the classification “group”, the constituent units must be located behind at least two different connection points. To prequalify under the classification “unit”, the aggregation must be placed behind one connection point, and the extension of type qualified units can only be done behind the same connection point.

Additional information

New units that can be added to already prequalified units or groups through type qualification should be added to these, rather than undergoing a separate prequalification.

If the maximum extension via type qualification has been reached for a unit or a group, new full testing is required to be evaluated by Svenska kraftnät before the unit or group can be extended further.

To be part of the same prequalified unit or group, it is required that all units in the aggregation have the same BSP as well as type of control (local or central), and are located within the same bidding area.

^1. Technical Requirements for Frequency Containment Reserve Provision in the Nordic Synchronous Area, ENTSO-E, 26 May 2023 (.pdf) Opens in a new window

^2. Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 of 2 August 2017 establishing a guideline on electricity transmission system operation. Link to the regulation: 2017/1485 - EUR-Lex 

Your application should include the application form, test results, eventually test protocol and description of fulfillment of IT security (for resources using central controlled FCR). 

If you haven't yet been granted access to Svenska kraftnät's secure file upload system, you must send an e-mail to the relevant mailbox fcr@svk.se, afrr@svk.se, mfrr@svk.se or ffr@svk.se and request access.

When you have access to the system and have submitted your application, you must wait for confirmation that your application has been received. If you have not received a receipt within five working days, you should contact us again at relevant mailbox mentioned above to be sure that Svenska kraftnät has received the application.

The application should include

• Application form for each respective unit/group and reserve category (FCR, aFRR, mFRR & FFR).
• Test report where the results of the prequalification tests are summarized for each respective reserve and unit/group (test report templates found below).
• Logged data from the prequalification tests.
• Additional attachments in the appendix.

How long does it take?

You will receive feedback on your application within eight weeks after it was submitted.

If the application is not immediately approved, you will need to answer the feedback and submit a revised version within four weeks after the feedback was received.

If your unit or group fulfils the criteria, the final decision will be issued within three months after you’re notified that your application is complete.

Reporting data to Svenska kraftnät

A provider of ancillary services is required to log and save certain measurement data for at least 3 months in accordance with Avtal om leverans av balanstjänster,  attachment 3 (FCR), attachment 5 (aFRR) and attachment 7 (mFRR).

The provider can choose the format in which the data is logged during operation. However, when data is sent to Svenska kraftnät it must use the units and format given in the relevant documents for each reserve. In these documents it is described which measurements should be conducted and ready to be provided. In addition, the documents clarify the correct format for reporting these measurement data.

Company secrecy

The application and all related documentation shall be sent to Svenska kraftnät by using Svenska kraftnät’s services for safe sharing of documents: Alfresco or Deaddrop. In the case of using Deaddrop, the applicant will receive a temporary Deaddrop link after notifying Svenska kraftnät that the application is complete and ready to be sent in.

As a general rule, all documents that are submitted to Svenska kraftnät are public, but in some cases information may be classified.

The applying company is therefore recommended to state which information in the application can be considered as sensitive from a secrecy point of view, and for what particular reason the company may be harmed if the information is disclosed.

Svenska kraftnät is not bound to follow the assessment of the applying company but will do an independent review in each case.

In some cases it may be allowed to change BSP who is responsible for the approved prequalification. This assumes that the new and existing BSP cooperate on the change and notify Svenska kraftnät the following in an email to fcr@svk.se  

• Who is the BSP for the approved prequalification?
• Who will be the new BSP for the approved prequalification?
• Is there anything in the technical solution, which affects the delivery of ancillary services, as a result of the change of BSP? Such as control, control systems, measuring equipment or connection via real time communication?
• How will real time measurement values ​​from the unit/group be reported?
• Have you, who are the new BSP, delivered the ancillary service that prequalification refers to in the electricity area in question before?

The information must be sent from the existing BSP with a copy to the new BSP. Svenska kraftnät will complete the change when all information has been received and can in other cases reject the change.