Introduction The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) countries aim to increase the share of variable renewable energy (VRE), such as solar and wind, in their total installed power generation capacity from around 5% in 2016 to 20% by 2030. This requires about 20 gigawatts (GW) of VRE and 4.5 GW of frequency regulation reserve (FRR) in the region.[1] Frequency regulation reserve is the ability of power systems to maintain the balance between supply and demand and to cope with fluctuations in variable renewable energy output. While flexible generation like gas-fired thermal power plants traditionally supplied the reserve, battery energy storage systems (BESS) are replacing them due to the global decarbonization trend. Based on insights from a knowledge and support technical assistance project financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this article suggests a roadmap for establishing a regional cooperation framework for frequency regulation reserves among the CAREC countries. It also addresses potential challenges in streamlining FRR trade agreements, given that many developing countries lack established balancing mechanisms like modern wholesale energy markets. The proposed solutions could benefit other regional cooperation initiatives, such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC). Regional Cooperation Framework for Frequency Regulation Reserve in CAREC The main sources of FRR in CAREC countries are hydropower plants and gas-fired thermal power plants (balancing reserve suppliers, or BRS). By enabling frequency regulation reserve procurement across borders, the region could save $230 million annually by 2030 in FRR operation costs. This would reduce reliance on expensive thermal power plants, in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and increase the use of cheaper hydropower plants, in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.[2] Europe has advanced experience in this area, including a regional security coordinator like Coreso in Western Europe and advanced mechanisms for integrating automatic frequency restoration processes, such as IGCC (International Grid Control Cooperation) and PICASSO (the Platform for the International Coordination of Automated Frequency Restoration and Stable System Operation). A roadmap to establish a regional cooperation framework for frequency regulation reserve among the CAREC countries, drawing on Europe’s experience, would consist of four steps: Planning the development of frequency regulation reserve facilities and interconnection transmission lines based on the region's long-term power development plans. Multiple member countries agreeing on harmonized rules for frequency regulation reserve, including technical requirements, allocation methods, and settlement mechanisms. Legalizing the procedures for cross-border frequency regulation reserve procurement within the participating countries, covering contracts, tariffs, and dispute resolution. Endorsing the regional cooperation framework, which includes developing an operational handbook and establishing a regional security coordination center to facilitate the matching and settlement of frequency regulation reserve transactions among the participating system operators (SOs). A customized trade model for cross-border FRR procurement for CAREC[3] should account for the lack of established domestic balancing mechanisms in most participating countries.[4] Under this model, each system operator will submit its frequency regulation reserve request and offer to the regional security coordination center beforehand (either a day or a week ahead). The center will conduct an auction to determine the procurement price and the allocation of FRR among system operators.[5] The settlement will be implemented once the procured frequency regulation reserve is utilized on the day. For the third step, the national legal framework must comply with the cross-border balancing procedure and multilaterally agreed technical rules, defining governance rules for validating new propositions or updating existing regional rules. Per the fourth step, the existing regional energy trading framework can be used to prepare a handbook for CAREC balancing operations, defining roles, responsibilities, operational procedures, and coordination mechanisms. The scope of the existing regional power system operator, CDC (Coordinating Dispatch Centre “Energy” of Central Asian Power System), can be expanded to include regional security coordination, monitoring, and ensuring the reliability and security of the regional power system. Challenges and Solutions to Enhance Frequency Regulation Reserve Trade Challenge 1: Lack of established balancing transactions between system operators and reserve suppliers In most CAREC countries, frequency regulation reserve provision is mandated by law to power plants, which are either state-owned or have bilateral agreements with off-takers. These power plants do not participate in a wholesale market for frequency regulation reserve, so many countries are unfamiliar with the required financial settlement.[6] Solution 1: Introduce a transitional approach with a semi-market-based model and an auction scheme A trade model using a semi-market-based strategy with a day-ahead wholesale market and an auction among SOs is ideal. This model simplifies the procurement process by fixing the traded FRR amount monthly, instead of optimizing it hourly based on simulation. This reduces complexity and the need for additional protocols and rules among the SOs. The model also uses an auction scheme to facilitate FRR price negotiation between SOs, based on the FRR cost benchmark in their own service areas. This considers the CAREC region's seasonal demand for local primary energy resources, such as gas and water, in sectors like heating and agriculture. Challenge 2: Political climate Power systems in some countries, such as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, are not synchronized with the Central Asian Power System (CAPS). This limits the potential for frequency regulation reserve trade among CAREC countries. Solution 2: Initiate the trade model among existing CAPS members and extend it later The trade model can be implemented among countries already part of CAPS, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan. This would demonstrate the benefits of frequency regulation reserve trade and encourage other countries to join CAPS and the trade model in the future. Cross-Border Frequency Regulation Reserve Procurement Among the Stakeholders SO = System Operators; BRS = Balancing Reserve Suppliers; CDC = Coordinating Dispatch Centre “Energy” of Central Asian Power System Implications All participating countries need to agree on unified rules, and this process can be more complicated for developing countries due to the lack of an established modern wholesale market structure and advanced tools. Here are ways to expedite the multilateral frequency regulation reserve trading agreement among the CAREC countries. Create a steering committee at a higher government level. Involve senior officials who can facilitate the decision-making process and overcome political and institutional barriers. Form the steering committee within the existing oversight body of the Central Asia Power System and the Coordination Commission of Electrical Power Counsel of Central Asia (CEPC CA). Leverage the existing regional cooperation framework. Some CAREC countries already have bilateral power trading arrangements (kWh base) based on harmonized rules and frameworks. The proposed regulation reserve trading (kW base) can utilize the arrangements for smooth launch. These can be expanded to include other countries willing to participate in the multilateral agreement, saving time and resources. Extend the role of the existing regional system operator. The Coordinating Dispatch Centre “Energy” of Central Asian Power System currently supervises the power system operation of five CAREC countries. Its role can be enhanced to act as a regional security coordinator and market operator, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of power trading. Start with bilateral agreements. Initiate multilateral agreements with countries that have similar market conditions and legal and regulatory frameworks. This creates a solid foundation for the agreement and allows other countries to join gradually. [1] To respond promptly to changing VRE outputs, power grids are equipped with three types of regulation reserves, categorized by time frame: FCR (frequency containment reserves), FRR (frequency restoration reserves), and RR (replacement reserves). These are also called primary, secondary, and tertiary reserves. The common purpose of these reserves is to maintain grid frequency by balancing potential VRE output fluctuations. The difference lies in the timing and duration for which the reserve is required to be activated. The project/study targeted FRR, which is required to respond immediately after FCR and to last approximately 30 seconds to 15 minutes. [2] Further cost reductions can be achieved if all participating SOs require balancing reserve suppliers to be equipped with the automatic generation control (AGC) function. The necessary regional FRR amount could be reduced from 4.5 GW to 3.0 GW by mandating AGC, resulting in significant investment savings. This pre-programmed automated reserve-sharing scheme has been implemented in Germany (IGCC), where it has successfully reduced the required FRR capacity among the four regional system operators while increasing the share of VRE. [3] The proposed trade model activates the agreed FRR manually, i.e., via phone, while automatic activation is common in advanced countries where load frequency control systems with AGC are in place. The proposed manual cross-border activation of procured FRR is feasible in the CAREC countries, as this practice is common there and has not resulted in significant negative consequences. This arrangement is possible mainly because the number of BRS plants in the power generation subsector is limited, and the majority of the power plants are state-owned. [4] Common domestic balancing mechanisms in the CAREC region are like those in traditional regulated energy markets, i.e., unit commitment by state-owned power plants. This practice generally lacks clear financial settlement procedures, whereas advanced regions like Europe typically adopt balancing mechanisms, including settlements, through wholesale energy markets. [5] Balancing reserve suppliers do not join the auction directly but agree with their corresponding domestic system operators. [6] There was a trial of a cross-border balancing transaction between the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan. Before 2017, the Kyrgyz Republic agreed to participate in Kazakhstan’s balancing market under the Coordinating Dispatch Centre’s supervision. However, the contract ended in 2018 due to unresolved technical and financial issues. Resource Asian Development Bank. Regional Cooperation on Renewable Energy Integration to the Grid. Ask the Experts Atsumasa Sakai Senior Energy Specialist, Energy Sector Office, Sectors Group, Asian Development Bank Atsumasa Sakai is primarily responsible for spearheading emerging technologies and best practices in the energy sector. He led the development of Mongolia's first utility-scale battery station project and collaborative initiatives for regional smart grid integration among Central Asian countries. He currently directs pioneering studies, including Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Prior to joining ADB, he gained valuable experience working with the World Bank and a prominent Japanese power utility. Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. Follow Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.