1. European context and key definitions

1.1 UCTE, ETSO & ENTSO-E

Until 2009, all TSOs in the European continental synchronous zone were represented by UCTE. The role of this organization was to coordinate all national transmission networks, representing more than 500 million consumers in 24 countries, managed by 34 TSOs (figure 1 ). Although synchronized with UCTE member countries, the power systems of Albania and the Maghreb enjoyed a special status. UCTE focused primarily on technical cooperation between the various players in the power system. Market organization was therefore left to the initiative of other entities, notably ETSO. In particular, UCTE recommended technical performances...