How can you participate in grid balancing?
There are two types of grid balancing, each with their own characteristics. We’ll explain to you what the differences are between these types:
rBalancing - Reserved Capacity Grid balancing:
With rBalancing, FlexiO reserves a part from your battery for grid balancing services for our grid operators. In Belgium this is Elia.
This means that it doesn’t matter which energy supplier or tariff you have. Everyone can participate in this type of grid balancing.
How does it work? FlexiO calculates what your savings will be for the next day, therefore FlexiO does a bidding to Elia for a part of your battery capacity. We will only place a bid high enough, that your revenue from rBalancing is bigger then your missed savings. Therefore you will always have profit by participating.
All revenue made through rBalancing, is paid out by LIFEPOWR 3 months after the participated month. This is because we have to wait for the payments from Elia to LIFEPOWR.
eBalancing - Energy Market Grid balancing
With eBalancing, you can only participate if you have a compatible Flex Tariff. On our website, you can find a list with compatible Flex Tariffs to choose from.
We minimalise imbalance risk costs for the energy supplier. Therefore, the energy supplier is able to put a really competitive tariff in the market. See for yourself by doing the V-test.
How does it work? With eBalancing, we look at realtime imbalance signals instead of having reserved capacity as with rBalancing. Just as with rBalancing, you will only participate if the revenue is higher then your missed savings.
All revenue made through eBalancing, is immediately settled with your energy bill at the end of every month.
If you have a compatible Flex Tariff, you can participate in both rBalancing and eBalancing. In this case, also your revenues from rBalancing will be settled at the end of every month, via your energy bill.
Quick overview: the difference between eBalancing and rBalancing
rBalancing | eBalancing | |
|---|---|---|
For who? | Grid operators (eg. Elia) | Energy Suppliers (eg. Trevion) |
How to enroll? | Automatically for FlexiO users that have a functional FlexiObox. | For FlexiO users who enroll on a compatible Flex Tariff. |
How? | With reserved battery capacity through bidding. | Real time market/imbalance signals. |
Revenue payout by | LIFEPOWR | Energy Supplier |
Payout terms | After 3 months | Every month via your energy bill |
To participate in Grid Balancing, you will need to go through a few steps:
rBalancing
Step 1: Register your FlexiO account
Register your FlexiO account on the MyFlexiO Mobile app to provide us with the necessary information, and FlexiO will start saving on your energy bill.
Step 2: Check these settings
First, a series of technical checks will be performed by LIFEPOWR to ensure that your installation is ready to participate in grid balancing. Additionally, your installation will be included in a group of other FlexiObox users. Once this group is large enough, participation in grid balancing can begin.
If there are any (technical) issues during these 2 phases, you will be informed so you can review and resolve them (together with your installer).
What can you already check yourself?
Does my installation have a battery?
Is my EAN code correctly entered?
Do I have a digital meter?
Was my energy rate correctly recorded? - You can adjust this via the FlexiO settings in your MyFlexiO app.
Step 3: External qualification
LIFEPOWR takes care of the external qualification with the grid operators. This involves both a check by the national grid operator Elia and a check by the distribution network operator (Fluvius, Sibelga, ORES, RESA).
It may take some time before the external qualification is completed. It's difficult to provide an exact date for this. We will, of course, keep you informed as soon as your participation is fully confirmed and FlexiO can start generating these earnings for you. In general it can take up to 12 weeks to start grid balancing via rBalancing.
New installations usually pass the technical checks quickly and will then soon be included in a group of participants.
You can check the status of grid balancing in the MyFlexiO app.
eBalancing
Step 1: Register your FlexiO account
Register your FlexiO account on the MyFlexiO Mobile app to provide us with the necessary information, and FlexiO will start saving on your energy bill.
Step 2: Check these settings
First, a series of technical checks will be performed by LIFEPOWR to ensure that your installation is ready to participate in grid balancing.
If there are any (technical) issues during these 2 phases, you will be informed so you can review and resolve them (together with your installer).
What can you already check yourself?
Does my installation have a battery?
Is my EAN code correctly entered?
Do I have a digital meter?
Was my energy rate correctly recorded? - You can adjust this via the FlexiO settings in your MyFlexiO app.
Step 3: Enroll on a Flex Tariff
Go to our website (link) to find an overview of our compatible Flex Tariffs.
Choose your tariff and enroll via the Energy Supplier’s website. Follow all the steps needed.
Once enrolled on the Flex Tariff, you automatically participate in eBalancing.
You can check the status of grid balancing in the MyFlexiO app.