Ausgleichsleistung

Ausgleichsleistung is a term used in the German electricity market to describe the balancing service that compensates for deviations between forecasted and actual generation and consumption. It is part of the system balancing process coordinated by the transmission system operators (TSOs) and carried out by market participants who act as Bilanzkreisverantwortliche (balance- responsible parties), such as power producers, large consumers, and aggregators. When actual energy deviates from the forecast within a balancing interval, the TSO may activate Ausgleichsleistung to restore system balance by increasing generation or reducing load. The direction of the adjustment determines whether the Ausgleichsleistung is positive or negative.

Ausgleichsleistung fits within the broader balancing market and is distinct from Regelleistung, which provides fast-frequency control capacity, and from Ausgleichsenergie, the actual energy that is exchanged to correct imbalances after the balancing process. The concept covers both the triggering of corrective actions and their delivery, including ramping and verification activities.

Economically, Ausgleichsleistung is settled after delivery under market rules. Payments and charges are determined by balancing-market mechanisms and related contracts, governed by national regulations and European framework conditions. The aim is to maintain grid stability and reliability, minimize deviations between forecasted and actual power, and integrate increasing shares of renewable energy while ensuring market transparency and non-discrimination. The process is overseen by relevant national authorities and the TSOs, with ongoing implementation aligned to evolving European balancing market standards.