Annual Report 2010 311 - Verbundnetz Gas AG

Annual Report | Annual Report 2010
An online booking system is currently being developed
to optimise the short-term booking of
free storage capacity in particular and to provide
an enhanced customer service. One key benefit
of the envisaged system for storage customers
is the updated and transparent presentation of
data on available capacity.
Gas transport
ONTRAS expands GATRAC cross-border cooperation.
ONTRAS has further developed the GATRAC
cooperation together with the Czech company
NET4GAS s.r.o. (formerly RWE Transgas Net).
Since November 25, 2010, GATRAC has been offering
bundled day-ahead capacity between the
GASPOOL and OTE (Czech Republic) virtual trading
hubs. Transport customers can book capacity
on the platform of their choice (ONTRAS or
NET4GAS) irrespective of the direction in which
they wish to transport the gas.
ONTRAS is the operator of VNG’s transmission
network spanning over 7,000 kilometres and markets
the transport capacities of this network.
ONTRAS sets industry-wide benchmarks in network
access with its own advanced solutions
and products. Continuous expansion of national
and international cooperation strengthens the
competitive position of ONTRAS.
ONTRAS in Europe. ONTRAS plays a key role in
shaping cross-border capacity management, an issue
which the European Commission also believes
to be of growing importance, and maintains an
ongoing involvement in the work of committees
from various organisations at European level.
ONTRAS and incentive regulation. ONTRAS has
been subject to cost regulation since notification
of the decision by the Federal Network Agency
regarding pipe-to-pipe competition of October 20,
2008 and has been formally subject to incentive
regulation since January 1, 2010. Under the
efficiency benchmark calculation, the Federal
Network Agency set a provisional revenue cap for
ONTRAS for the period 2010/2011. In a written
communication dated February 14, 2011, ONTRAS
received notice of a revenue cap based on an efficiency
benchmark of 100 %.
Biogas plant injection points. Demand for biogas
plant injection points along the ONTRAS network
area remains high. During the year under review
ONTRAS supervised the planning and construction
of six biogas plant injection points.
ONTRAS certified to ISO 9001. On July 27 and
28, 2010, ONTRAS successfully completed the
certification audit pursuant to DIN EN ISO 9001
conducted by TÜV SÜD Life Service GmbH. The
certification is public proof of ONTRAS’ successful
quality management.
Network service. VNG AG is the service provider
for the operation and maintenance of the ONTRAS
transportation system. Services are provided
under a technical services contract. Continuous
refurbishment and modernisation measures were
performed as commissioned by ONTRAS in 2010.
The significant funds invested in state-of-the-art
condition diagnosis and analysis ensure the highest
standard of reliability in supplies to customers.
The operational safety and leak tightness of old
pipelines were investigated under a special quality
inspection program. The repairs identified
during this inspection have either already been
completed or have been incorporated in the refurbishment
program.
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