Storage model
Fluxys offers storage services in standard units. A standard unit includes not only firm injection and sendout capacity but also firm and conditional storage capacity. A storage season runs from 15 April one year to and including 14 April the following year.
Main Conditions: basic principles
The Main Conditions for Storage outline the basic principles of the model in which Fluxys provides storage services. The document was approved by CREG on 20 December 2004. The Main Conditions include information on the topics, such as:
- the way storage capacity is calculated;
- the rules for allocating capacity to storage users;
- the transferability capacity to other grid users;
- gas quality requirements;
- the responsibilities of the transmission company and the storage users.
> Main Conditions for Storage 
Storage Code: procedures
The Storage Code comprises all the procedures used by Fluxys and the storage users for reserving capacity and executing storage contracts. The Storage Code was approved by CREG on 14 December 2006. The document has answers to questions such as:
- How is storage capacity reserved?
- How can another user’s storage capacity be bought on the secondary market?
- When should nominations be sent?
- What reports and confirmations will Fluxys send?
- How is measuring equipment checked?
> Storage Code - Natural Gas Storage Facility, Loenhout
Allocation of capacity
The geological structure of the Belgian subsoil means there are not many opportunities for storage in Belgium. For this reason, Fluxys gives preference to users who will supply Belgian distribution system operators when it is allocating storage services. Storage services for a storage season are allocated in two rounds. Fluxys adjusts the allocated capacities in the storage facility in line with changes in the transmission capacities that grid users have reserved to supply the distribution system operators.
- First round: proportional allocation. Fluxys allocates on the 1st of March of each year for the coming storage year (as from 15th of April) storage services to its customers proportional to the transmission capacity they have reserved for supply points to distribution system operators. Fluxys bases this calculation on reserved capacities for the coming winter (months October until March) and the allocated services form part of a minimum package to which the customers are entitled (priority right). In case storage users do not reserve all of the services offered, the remaining services are allocated proportionally to the remaining storage users who are interested to book more storage capacity.
- Second round: first committed, first served. If storage services are still available after the first round, Fluxys allocates services in accordance with the ‘first committed, first served’ principle. If different users request storage services on the same day, then services are allocated in proportion to the quantity requested.
- Re-allocation in July. On the 1st of June the reserved transmission capacities for the coming winter are recalculated in same way as in the first round and used as basis for the re-allocation of services on the 1st of July. If a storage user is entitled to subscribe more services, then he is able to reserve these services. If, on the contrary, a storage user is entitled to less services, then Fluxys will reduce his subscribed storage services in proportion to his new priority right.
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