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Overview

France has a mixed balancing market. FCR is procured via the common EU framework, but strict symmetricality requirements limit DER participation. The aFRR market is now active and operational. mFRR and RR are not yet part of the common MARI platform, but do allow some DER access via specified programmes. France has a country-specific load-shedding product (NEBEF) well-suited to DERs. BSP participation is allowed. Under NEBEF, assets are paid to reduce their consumption compared to their day-ahead forecast. France also has time-based DSO charges, enabling further cost avoidance if in the BRP role. The French capacity mechanism (MECAPA - Mécanisme de Capacité) requires electricity suppliers to secure capacity certificates proportional to their customers’ consumption during peak periods. This creates an opportunity for DERs to generate additional revenue streams by offering capacity during system stress events. The Call for Tenders for Demand Response (Appel d’Offres Effacement or AOE) is a specific French mechanism designed to promote demand response. The annual tender allows DERs to bid capacity that can be called upon during peak demand periods. The AOE provides a guaranteed revenue stream through capacity payments, supplementing energy market earnings.

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Products

ProductDER suitabilityPoolingDirectionBiddingMin bid (MW)Full Activation Time (s)Measurement (s)Payment
FCR3YesSymmetricalDaily13010Availability
NEBEF4YesAsymmetricalDaily0.1Delivery
mFRR/RR2YesAsymmetricalYear,Daily101510Delivery,Availability
aFRR2YesAsymmetricalDaily130010Availability
MECAPA4YesAsymmetricalAnnual0.1N/A30Availability
AOE4YesAsymmetricalAnnual0.112010Availability,Delivery