There are four German-specific capacity categories, which can be found on the PRISMA Platform. Please find some general – and legally non-binding – information and definitions for those capacity types below:
1. FZK (Frei Zuordenbare Kapazität, literally Freely Allocable Capacity): This term denotes firm capacity accessible at Virtual Trading Point (VTP) in the Entry-/ Exit-System. No restrictions apply to the use of FZK capacity, meaning gas can be injected or withdrawn at each Entry or Exit-Point or transferred at the VTP in the same Market Area.
2. bFZK (beschränkt Frei Zuordenbare Kapazität, literally Conditionally Freely Allocable Capacity): In general, this capacity is also freely allocable and accessible at VTPs. However, the access to VTPs is subject to predefined conditions, e.g. temperature and pressure. If the conditions are not met, the capacity might be interrupted.
3. DZK (Dynamisch Zuordenbare Kapazitäten, literally Dynamically Allocable Capacity): This capacity type allows usage of the capacity on a firm basis for a predefined pair of Entry- and Exit-Points only. The VTP and thereby free allocation within the Market Area is accessible on an interruptible basis only.
4. BZK (Beschränkt Zuordenbare Kapazität, literally Restricted Allocable Capacity): In this case, the transportation is only allowed from a dedicated Entry-Point to a pre-defined Exit-Point. They do not include access to the VTP. Please note: Following decree No. BK7-18-052 (“KASPAR”), BZK shall not be available within the German Market Area since October 2021.
In the documentation of BNetzA related to decree No. BK7-18-052 (“KASPAR”), you can also find a definition of these capacity types. It might help understanding:
