Why Bnewable participated as FSP in the Fluvius market tests

Flexibility is not a byproduct of the energy transition. It is a structural component of the future energy system. That conviction is what led Bnewable to participate in the Fluvius market tests as a Flexibility Service Provider.
Matthias Masschelin, General Manager of Bnewable Belgium, explains why.

Electrification is putting increasing pressure on the electricity grid. More congestion is inevitable, and the only way to resolve that cost-effectively is by better aligning production, consumption and grid capacity. A market mechanism is the most appropriate instrument to achieve that.

That principle is at the core of our participation. As a young company, we wanted to put our shoulder to the wheel in building such a market, so that it is set up as effectively as possible. The Fluvius congestion market offers exactly that opportunity.

What we wanted to learn

Our central question at the start of the tests was concrete: can we participate in the congestion market with batteries, and generate additional value on top of what we already deliver today?
After the tests, we can put a checkmark behind that question. That is the most important validation.

We also confirmed that local services such as peak shaving can continue to run uninterrupted while the battery simultaneously participates in the congestion market. For our clients, nothing changes operationally. They see a battery that responds slightly differently than usual, but their activities, processes and core business remain fully intact. The only difference is an additional revenue stream.

Collaborating on a new market design

Participating in these tests also meant contributing to the thinking on market design itself. Fluvius made that possible from the very beginning: solid guidance on the products, clear explanation of the platforms, and easy one-on-one contact whenever questions arose.
What we particularly appreciate is that our feedback, including critical feedback, was consistently received openly and is effectively being integrated into the next rounds of testing. That is not a given. It concerns small things sometimes, but it makes a real difference in how a market ultimately gets built.

Liquidity as a shared responsibility

A congestion market only works if there is sufficient liquidity. The more FSPs participate, the more efficient and faster that market will take off. That applies to us as much as to every other player in the ecosystem.
Our commitment is therefore not a one-off. We will keep participating, keep providing feedback, and keep contributing to a market design that works for all parties.