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Consultation documents

2010 2010 2009 2009 2008 2008 2007 2007 2006 2006 2005 2005 2004 2004 2003 2003 2002 2002 2001 2001 2000 2000

12.13.2010		Natural gas balancing: settlement of physical quantities and income and expense items for the natural gas balancing service (settlement) . The Authority proposes the introduction of two balancing and adjustment sessions for the settlement of daily unbalanced quantities by network users, once the estimates (balancing session) and the amounts of the withdrawals (adjustment session) charged to each user are known. The Authority also proposes a series of possible improvements for the allocation to network users of gas flows to non daily metered consumers within time limits consistent with the daily balancing proposed in Consultation Document No. 45/10.
12.02.2010		Natural gas balancing service The Authority proposes new regulations for the balancing service on the natural gas transmission network. In detail, while at present the management of the physical flows of gas is still co-ordinated by Snam Rete Gas by means of Stogit storage, the introduction of a daily balancing market is proposed on which users who own storage capacity can present offers for upwards and downwards flexibility. The price quoted on this market can be used as a reference for the settlement of quantities of unbalanced gas by single users.
12.01.2010		Initial orientations and proposals concerning the update of the technical and financial regulations to implement the energy efficiency certificates (white certificates). The Authority presents its orientations on the reform of the energy efficiency certificates system as part of the open process with Resolution No. EEN 19/10. The objective of the Authority is to improve this instrument, both in terms of support for energy efficiency action and the promotion of the use of renewable sources in the heating and cooling sector.
12.01.2010		Proposals for new technical sheets for the quantification of energy savings relating to intervention pursuant to article 5, paragraph 1 of the Ministerial Decrees of 20th July 2004 and subsequent amendments and additions. The Authority starts consultations on three outlines for technical sheets for the quantification of energy savings under the energy efficiency certificates scheme. The sheets concern energy savings action for street lighting (sheets No. 28 and No. 29) and action on building shells to reduce energy requirements for heating and cooling (sheet No. 30). Furthermore, the Authority proposes two methodological approaches to form the basis for new technical sheets: they concern domestic broad band connection equipment and the installation of high efficiency continuity units.
11.30.2010		Regulation of the quality of electricity services in the 4th regulatory period (2012-2015). The Authority: 1) proposes the introduction of new forms for the publication of continuity data relating to transient interruptions (i.e. lasting less than or equal to one second) in electricity transmission grids; 2) proposes an improvement in individual customer information on service quality and introduces the concept of the responsibility of customers themselves; 3) illustrates alternative options for monitoring voltage quality, including the implementation of a monitoring system extended to include the medium voltage grid; 4) discusses indicators for monitoring grid performance in respect of voltage dip and subsequent reports and publications to increase the responsibility of distribution companies and to educate them; 5) illustrates possible methods of monitoring slow voltage changes on the low voltage grid by using electronic meters and also possible additions to the commercial quality standards to check power supply voltage; 6) discusses activities and the role of research on the subject of voltage quality.
11.22.2010		Initial orientations relating to certification procedures for companies that act as the operator of a natural gas or electricity transmission system. The Authority illustrates the underlying assumptions behind the new regulations, the main issues and the first orientations of the Authority itself concerning the procedures for applying the regulation of certification procedures for companies that act as the operator of a natural gas or electricity transmission system in accordance with EC Directive No. 2009/72/EC and EC Directives No. 714/2009 and No. 715/2009.
11.15.2010		Final orientations and international comparisons on the market for electricity generation capacity. In view of a comparison between the systems for the remuneration of capacity resources on the ISO New England Forward Capacity Market and the PJM Interconnection Reliability Pricing Model, the Authority commences consultation on some additions and refinements concerning proposals to reform the system to remunerate electricity generation capacity advanced with Consultation Documents No. 27/08, No. 10/09 and No. 09/10.
11.15.2010		Regulation of the quality of electricity services in the 4th regulatory period (2012-2015). The Authority identifies the first specific objectives and formulates the first regulatory options and the first proposals relating to the regulation of the quality of the electricity distribution service in the period 2012-2015. In detail the Authority: 1) advances proposals relating to the extension of individual service continuity standards for medium voltage customers to include short interruptions, according to the provisions of the 2010-2012 three year strategic plan approved with Resolution No. GOP 1/10; 2) advances proposals to simplify some general aspects of the individual regulations for the number of interruptions; 3) studies quality contracts for which the regulations must be reviewed in order to encourage adoption.
11.15.2010		Sales code for the sale of electricity and natural gas to end user customers. The Authority formulates proposals concerning the definition of multi-site end user customers, the scope of application of the sales code in cases of multi-site end user customers and regulations governing failure to comply with the clause in contracts, freely defined by the parties, which establish billing frequency. The objective of these proposals is to permanently establish the scope of application of the sales code in cases of multi-site end user customers and to establish certain and appropriate rules relating to indemnities in cases of failure to apply regular billing, with the adoption of provisions that can be implemented from 1st July 2011.
11.02.2010		Regulations concerning the functioning of the indemnity system pursuant to Annex B of Authority for Electricity and Gas Resolution No. ARG/elt 191/09 of 11th December 2009. The Authority examines proposals from operators for the completion of the regulation of the indemnity system for a sales company terminating a contract in the event of non payment of the bills receivable for the last two months of supply before the switch to another supplier by an end user customer. In particular the Authority considers it advisable to extend the indemnity system (currently operational on the basis of Resolution No. ARG/elt 191/09 only for cases of arrears by end user customers in the protected category class) to include cases of arrears by low voltage non domestic end user customers. However, with regard to the request to extend the indemnity system to include amounts due relating to longer time periods, the Authority considers it advisable to raise the amount of the indemnity from one to two months of electricity supply. The examination also took note of the difficulties of the proposals concerning the sales company signing a new contract and instruments designed to minimise the risk for these companies are proposed.
11.02.2010		Special provisions for the provision of transmission, distribution and metering services and the dispatching service for the purposes of conducting experimentation of public recharging systems for electric vehicles. The Authority starts a consultation process concerning its orientations with regard to the provision of transmission, distribution and metering services and the dispatching service in order to experiment with public recharging systems for electric vehicles.
10.26.2010		Preliminary feasibility study for the creation of a new European oil market. The Authority presents a document prepared by the Strategy, Research and Documentation Department of the Authority itself relating to a preliminary feasibility study for the creation of a new European oil market, designed to promote the development of more efficient markets, with particular reference to the level of investments and price trends. The study is intended as an analysis and proposal that contributes to international initiatives in progress and therefore the Authority has decided to proceed to a consultation in order to acquire comments and observations by 25th November 2010.
10.20.2010		Implementation of the Decree of 6th August 2010 of the Ministry for Economic Development, in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment and for the protection of Land and Sea, to provide incentives for the generation of electricity using photovoltaic plants. In implementation of Ministerial Decree of 6th August 2010 on incentives for electricity generated from solar sources, the Authority has formulated its proposals for the update of the automatic indemnity regime in the event of failure to comply, by the grid operator, with the time limits for the connection of plants powered by renewable sources which access incentive systems based on tariff incentives. On the other hand the Authority has presented no proposal for the implementation of rules for the increase of the tariff incentive for systems with a predictable exchange profile, since those rules are not considered applicable.
10.11.2010		Payment by instalments for gas sales. The Authority publishes a consultation document containing proposals to clarify existing provisions concerning payment by instalment for gas sales to end user customers pursuant to Resolution No. 229/01, with particular reference to recent litigation regarding Resolution No. ARG/gas 85/10 and the need to resolve the difficulties which remain concerning payments by instalment for gas until a judgement is passed on the matter.
09.27.2010		Regulation of general aspects of the quality of the natural gas storage service. As part of discussions already commenced for tariff setting the Authority proposes its final orientations concerning the quality of the storage service in the period 2011-2014.
09.02.2010		Criteria and procedures for the application of the GST (gas hardship) and RET (gas energy savings) tariff components. The Authority proposes the criteria and methods for the application of the GST and RET components (to cover the “gas bonus” and energy savings measures respectively) to be applied to end user customers directly connected to the natural gas transmission network, in accordance with Resolution No. ARG/com 93/10.
08.31.2010		Procedures for the compensation of the sums resulting from the application of payments for leaving the national transmission network pursuant to Resolution No. ARG/gas 20/10 of 19th February 2010. The Authority starts a consultation on the manner of acquiring and paying balances arising from a misalignment in the leaving payments due from uses of the transmission network, following the redefinition of withdrawal areas pursuant to Resolution No. ARG/gas 20/10.
08.03.2010		Procedure to cover costs incurred by operators resulting from provisions concerning the verification of metering groups in redelivery points of natural gas redistribution points. The Authority starts consultations to assess the amount of the payments due to distribution companies for verifications of gas meters, considered consistent with the indications provided. In view of the estimates and the information acquired, the Authority proposes not to establish any specific compensation mechanism to cover this amount, which was found on the whole to be rather small.
08.03.2010		Further payment for the remuneration of available production capacity pursuant to Art. 36 of Resolution No. 48/04 of 27th March 2004. The Authority proposes changes to the method employed to calculate the Si payment for the additional remuneration of available production capacity pursuant to Art. 36 of Annex A of Resolution No. 48/04, in order to take account of the differences in prices between the different zones of the electricity markets.
08.03.2010		Amendment of the compensation mechanism for the average transmission capacity rights costs pursuant to Resolution No. 137/04, as amended by Resolution No. arg/elt 53/08, in compliance with ruling No. 1212/10 of the Council of State. The Authority proposes the criteria for compliance with the ruling of the Council of State No. 1212/10 concerning the litigation between the Authority itself and operators to reduce anomalies in the level and the volatility of the differences between zone prices and the single national price between August and December 2004. In particular the Authority proposes redefining the basis of calculation for the determination of the average transmission capacity rights costs for the period in question, by assigning a quota of the injection programmes to each zone based on bilateral contracts proportional to the quota of the total injection programmes of the operators. The Authority also proposes redefining the reference periods for the calculation of transmission capacity rights payments in accordance with the Council of State ruling just mentioned.
07.26.2010		National standards for communication between electricity distributors and sellers for the quality of sales services regulated by the electricity services quality code. On the basis, amongst other things, of the debate which took place within the special working group consisting of the relative operators, the Authority reports the possible solutions to the problem of electronic communication between end user customers and sales and distribution companies in relation to the points in which the technical regulations for the regulation of quality are still incomplete or wanting.
07.26.2010		Developments in the regulation of natural gas transport, balancing, storage and distribution services for the development of the wholesale and retail markets. The Authority advances proposals for the design of a new system of market balancing for the national gas transmission network. The consultation indicates the main critical points in the regulation of access, transmission, storage and load profiling and it opens the way for future consultation on the matter, to be launched once the balancing model to employ has been decided.
07.22.2010		Natural gas market: completion of protected regimes, acquisition and loss of responsibility for withdrawals and arrears in relation to redelivery points in the gas distribution network. The Authority proposes clarifications and solutions to complete the regulations for sales to end user customers, and in particular with regard to the introduction of safeguarded categories in the supply of gas, the acquisition and loss of responsibility for withdrawals from a redelivery point, the management of cases of end user customer arrears and the management of the distribution service in the cases listed.
07.14.2010		Control of the sale of electricity from renewable sources to end user customers. This document follows on from Consultation Document No. 26/09 with which the Authority has already expressed its orientations relating to offers for the sale of electricity from renewable electricity to end user customers. The objectives of the Authority are to ensure transparency and competition and to protect consumers. In order to pursue those objectives the Authority proposes: the definition of tools to control offers for sale of renewable energy and to avoid duplicate counting of electricity produced; the definition of tools to promote transparency and clear information which allows the additional factors that the supply of renewable energy should guarantee with respect to other commercial offers to be identified. The Authority’s assessments of the tools to be used to pursue those aims take account of “fuel mix disclosure” regulations (Ministry for Economic Development Decree of 31st July 2009).
07.07.2010		Proposals for new technical sheets for the quantification of energy savings relating to intervention pursuant to article 5, paragraph 1 of the ministerial decrees of 20th July 2004 and subsequent amendments and additions.
07.02.2010		Forward supply by Terna of interruptible resources from 2011. The Authority proposes criteria and procedures for the assignment or interruptible resources from 2011. In detail: 1) the quantity of interruptible resources to be supplied identified by Terna should be subject to approval by the Authority; 2) the quantity of interruptible resources to be supplied should be decided before performing three-year assignments and Terna shall have the right to make changes during the course of the three-year period; 3) it should be possible to supply part of the interruptible resources on an annual basis; 4) Terna should be able to supply interruptible resources in different quantities in different geographical area; 5) the lowest bid auction procedures for the selection of those called upon to supply the various interruptible services should provide for more than one round with decreasing annual premiums to be paid to those selected.
07.01.2010		Criteria for determining tariffs for the storage of natural gas for the third period of regulation. The Authority publishes its final orientations concerning tariffs for the storage of natural gas for the calendar years 2011-2014. The proposal places particular attention on the treatment reserved for new entrants, to the mechanisms for equalisation between national operators and to the transition to the adoption of the calendar year as the reference period in place of the storage year.
06.30.2010		Adoption of new procedures for the identification of non domestic end user customers with the right to the protected categories service. The Authority proposes to adopt new procedures for the identification of non domestic end user customers with the right to the protected categories service in the case of the activation of a protected categories service, in the case of a user with a free market sales contract and also in the case of a user already served in the protected category class or on the free market. The Authority also intends to allow the possibility of allowing a DISPBT (low voltage dispatching) component for users served on the free market, if it is found the user qualifies for access to the protected categories service even for a period prior to the discovery.
06.07.2010		Revision of provisions for the regulation of the quality of gas distribution and metering services in the period 2009-2012 (Regulations for the quality of gas distribution and metering services). Introduction of a specific standard for failure to read accessible meters and information on the causes of the missed reading. The Authority advances proposals for the improvement of the regulation of the commercial quality, the safety and the continuity of the gas distribution and metering service. Particular attention is paid to failures to read meters.
05.26.2010		Conditions for dispatching for non programmable renewable energy powered plants: definition of a reliability index for the purposes of calculating lost wind-powered generation. The Authority commences consultation on a proposal received from Terna for the calculation of a reliability index which will be employed to calculate lost wind-powered generation in accordance with Resolution No. ARG/elt 5/10.
05.26.2010		Orientations concerning the settlement of payments in favour of essential plants. This consultation document follows on from DCO No. 29/09 and illustrates the further orientations of the Authority on the definition of payments to cover costs recognised as incurred by plants considered technically and structurally indispensible to the electricity system. The objective of the consultation is to improve the transparency of the criteria just mentioned. The document focuses in particular on two remuneration regimes, an ordinary regime and a regime to cover costs.
05.25.2010		Update of terms and conditions for connections to the electricity grid with the obligation to connect third party power generation plants. The Authority has formulated proposals concerning the terms and conditions for the connection of electricity generating plants to grids that are obliged to connect third parties, with the objective of a more profitable management of applications for connections and the estimates accepted. The changes that will actually be implemented will involve a revision of the code for active connections, annexed to Resolution No. 99/08.
05.21.2010		Integrated IT system for the management of business with various operators in the liberalised market (IITS). The Authority starts consultation for the creation of an integrated IT system (IITS). The IITS comprises a set of integrated IT procedures and processes with which the management of end user customers could be performed, such as for example the switching of end user customers. The Authority intends to use the IITS to make switching processes more robust, to reduce disputes, to reduce barriers to entry and to increase competition in the retail sector, to facilitate access to the necessary switching date by sellers and to reduce system costs incurred by sellers. The Authority proposes two different architectures for the IITS: the first involves the creation of an agent for the centralised management of communications, while the second also involves the centralisation of customer data.
05.07.2010		Regulation of income and expense items in relation to the special tariff regime for consumption by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A.. The Authority starts consultation to formulate measures designed to settle income and expense items relating to the special tariff regime for consumption by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A.. The Authority intends to clarify interpretations concerning aspects of regulations which have led to litigation lasting several years and still not resolved, relating to special tariff regime, income and expense items involving RFI, Enel Distribuzione and the Electricity Equalization Fund.
05.06.2010		Proposals designed to allow the invoicing of protected categories end user customers with remote controlled electronic meters to be based exclusively on actual consumption. The Authority opens consultation on the subject of invoicing protected categories end user customers with remote controlled electronic meters. More specifically, the current use of estimated data in invoicing is analysed: this method presents problems. Alternative solutions are proposed, some of which would have consequences for free market sellers also. At present, invoices issued by providers to protected category customers of the type analysed relate not only to actual consumption, but also to an estimate of presumed consumption (since the meter was last read). This helps operators to contain costs and business risks, but is also difficult to understand by end consumers.
04.29.2010		Regulation of general aspects of the quality of the natural gas storage service. On the basis of a comparison with other European countries, the Authority puts forward proposals concerning the regulation of the commercial quality, safety and continuity of storage services for the period 2010-2014. The consultation is conducted with particular consideration given to the treatment reserved to possible new entrant sites and the need to formulate regulations consistent with progress in the storage field for the period 2010-2014.
04.29.2010		Guidelines for the organisation of a monitoring system for retail electricity and natural gas markets. The Authority starts consultation for the creation of a monitoring system for the retail electricity and natural gas markets. The Authority proposes a series of indicators for monitoring competition both geographically and for each set of products. The Authority proposes indicators to measure market shares, the degree of concentration of operators, price levels, possible contract choices, economic barriers, possible information asymmetries and regulatory barriers.
04.23.2010		The forward market for electricity generation capacity. The Authority commences consultation to formulate a remuneration mechanism for generation capacity based on market logic which goes beyond the current capacity payment system. The Authority proposes a system based on options in which the grid operator pays operators a reward to guarantee a payment differential between the forward price agreed and the spot price that is paid on the market. The Authority also proposes accessory systems to ensure that the system is adequate. The Authority also proposes a series of guarantees to insure the grid operator against possible non compliance by operators who have written option contracts.
04.21.2010		Criteria for determining tariffs for the storage of natural gas for the third period of regulation. The consultation document published by the Authority concerns procedures to formulate measures relating to tariffs for natural gas storage activities for the regulatory period 2010-2014, as defined by Legislative Decree No. 164 of 23rd May 2009. The consultation document gives the reasons for the change in the regulations, the objectives pursued and it proposes some regulatory alternatives for the most significant aspects. Those concerned have until 24th May to send in proposals.
04.19.2010		Proposals for measures for the completion of regulations for the natural gas metering service. The Authority submits proposals to those concerned relating to the validation of self-reading data and to reporting and use of them by distributors and sellers, for the purposes of allocation to users of the upstream phases of the supply line and for the purposes of invoicing final customers.
04.19.2010		Proposal of amendments to quality control regulations for the period 2008-2011 following the extension made to the national transmission grid. Following the extension of the national transmission grid with the acquisition by Terna of the ELAT high voltage grid, the Authority has submitted a document for consultation until 24th May 2010 which proposes amendments to the regulations for the quality of the transmission service. The document concerns action relating to the following: (i) the perimeter of the grid to which the incentive regulations apply for the regulatory period 2008-2011, (ii) valuation of the services provided by distribution companies for continuity and (iii) obligations to publish monitoring indicators of the availability and non availability of parts of the grid.
03.26.2010		Criteria for the determination and update of the terms and conditions for the supply of natural gas for protected category customers. The Authority proposes amendments to the procedures for updating the terms and conditions for the supply of natural gas to protected category customers (the amendments would affect the QE price component to cover costs for acquiring natural gas supplies) with effect from 1st October 2010, which is from the thermal year 2010-2011. The objective is to take account of recent structural and regulatory changes in the natural gas market and in particular of modifications to the long term natural gas supply contracts of importers from foreign producers found from a recent survey conducted by the Authority.
03.25.2010		Code of conduct for the sale of electricity and natural gas. In order to propose improvements to the regulations in force concerning the quality of gas and electricity sales services, the Authority takes into due consideration the indications contained in the new EU legislation concerning the quality of the electricity and gas sales services and the observations of consumer associations which underline the lack of clarity in sales offers. On this basis the Authority proposes some recommendations for the compilation of a new code of conduct for sales, valid for electricity and gas, focused on the need to provide clearer, fuller and comparable information on the services offered for sale.
03.11.2010		Orientations of the Authority for Electricity and Gas in the functions of the CERSE (Committee of experts for research into the electricity system) concerning the criteria for arranging a competition for R&D projects of general interest for the electricity system, pursuant to Ministerial Decree of 8th March 2006. The Authority starts a consultation designed to organise a new competition for the funding of projects which satisfy the research subject requirements identified in the 2009-2011 electricity system research programme, given the availability of finance in the fund for research into the system and the need to allocate budgets for research and technological development.
03.08.2010		Preparation of a check-list for controls relating to the provision of incentives for the use of electronic meters for monitoring low voltage customers affected by interruptions to the electricity service. The consultation document contains the final orientations of the Authority concerning the completion of the regulatory framework on controls to be conducted on distribution companies that apply for the incentive for monitoring customers actually involved in electricity service interruptions, pursuant to Resolution No. ARG/elt 190/09. That monitoring is performed by the installation and operation of electronic meters and the relative remote control systems. The completion of the regulatory framework will consist of the compilation of a check-list to perform that monitoring.
02.25.2010		Renewal of provisions relating to the insurance of non industrial end user customers for gas distributed through local pipelines and transmission networks. The Authority acquires indications that emerged from an analysis of past experience relating to insurance of end user domestic customer for gas accidents. It identifies possible areas for improvement and makes some proposals in view of the award of the new insurance policy in May performed by public tender procedures.