Balance energy
Electricity that is billed for offsetting the difference between the actual purchased (supplied) quantity and the quantity purchased (supplied) in accordance with the timetable.
Balance group
Group of participants in the electricity market established for the purpose of forming a joint metering and billing unit for the national network operator, within control zone Switzerland.
Balance management
Entirety of technical, organisational and calculatory measures for permanently securing the electricity and capacity balance in the electricity supply system; includes timetable management, measurement data management and offsetting management.
Control zone
A zone in which the national network operator is responsible for network control. It is physically defined with the aid of measurement points.
Distribution network
High, medium or low voltage network used for distributing electricity to end users or electricity supply companies.
Electricity network (grid)
System comprising a number of power lines and the necessary auxiliary equipment and facilities for the transmission and distribution of electricity. This term does not apply to power lines that cover a limited area for local distribution, e.g. on industrial sites or inside buildings.
End users
Customers who buy electricity for their own use. This term does not apply to the purchase of electricity by a power plant for its own use or for the operation of pumps in pumped-storage power plants.
End users with basic supply
Fixed end users and end users who choose not to have access to the network (Article 6, paragraph 1 of the Electricity Supply Act).
Input/output point
Location in a network at which incoming or outgoing energy flows are recorded and measured or registered (measurement or metering point).
Network access
Right to use the network in order to purchase electricity from a supplier or feed electricity into a network.
Renewable energy
Hydropower, solar energy, geothermal energy, ambient heat, wind energy, energy from biomass and from biomass waste.
Reserve power supply
Reserve supply of electricity that is utilised automatically or called up by power plants in order to maintain the scheduled exchange of electricity or secure operation of the network.
System services
Auxiliary services required for the safe operation of networks. These services include system co-ordination, balance management, primary control, self-contained start and independent operation capability of generators, maintenance of voltage level (including idle component), operational measurement and compensation of active current losses.
Timetable
Timetable for negotiated supply or purchase of electricity (average capacity) within a specified period.
Transmission network
Electricity network (grid) used for transporting electricity over large distances inside the country, and for connection to networks outside the country. Normally operated at 220/380 kV. Components of a transmission network include: a) transmission lines and pylons; b) coupling transformers, switching systems, measurement, control and communication equipment; c) installations used jointly with other network levels, most of which are used in association with the transmission network or without which it would not be possible to operate the transmission network safely and efficiently; d) switching fields before the transformer at the point of transition to another network level or to a power plant.
