An innovative new tool, originally developed by the TRANSITION project led by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution, has today been introduced nationally by Energy Networks Association (ENA). The tool will help flexibility providers follow a clear, common and more accurate approach for measuring how much flexibility they have delivered to Britain’s distribution network operators (DNOs).
The tool, which was designed by the TRANSITION project, working closely with ENA’s Open Networks programme and specialist energy consultancy TNEI, will be used by flexibility providers to explore and determine their baseline calculations for participating in flexibility markets. A baseline is required to allow ongoing understanding and verification of the volume of flexibility services provided.
Two years in the making, the new flexibility baseline verification tool has been created to be enduring and under open governance arrangements. Available via ENA’s website, the benefits of the tool include:
- A standard and consistent decision-making process across all DNO’s. This means that those wishing to provide flexibility services to the networks know exactly what criteria will be used to assess their delivery no matter the location.
- More transparency, with DNOs and flexibility providers being able to better validate how much flexibility is being provided.
- More competitive outcomes through a more accountable and transparent approach, with customers ultimately benefitting from more cost-efficient solutions.
- Increased stakeholder confidence, as delivery into the distribution flexibility market and visibility of any potential earnings will be consistent and easier to assess.
- Increased participation, by removing barriers and developing a clear and adoptable common approach it will be easier for providers to engage with flexibility services.
This work is crucial to providing confidence to energy industry stakeholders in the future commercial viability of flexibility services, which will accelerate the transition to a smart, flexible energy system.
“SSEN has been developing the baselining flexibility verification tool through the TRANSITION project working together with TNEI for two years. I am proud to see their hard work being recognised by the adoption and launch of this tool by ENA’s Open Networks programme
Melanie Bryce, SSEN Oxfordshire Projects Director said:
Our work engaging with service providers through the overarching LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire) Project has emphasised the need for an aligned and standardised approach to flexibility markets and the tools that support them. TRANSITION’s collaboration with Open Networks has allowed us to bring together expertise from across the country to ensure the benefits of this common tool are realised by all potential users”.
Farina Farrier, Head of Open Networks at Energy Networks Association said:
“Since it’s conception in 2017, Open Networks has followed a learn-by-doing approach and is open with the way we work and the outputs we publish. The launch of this tool – working alongside the OFGEM Innovation Funded TRANSITION project – demonstrates another step forward in this vital industry collaboration to help us deliver practical outcomes.
Opening local markets for flexibility services remains a major focus of the programme, as a smarter, more flexible energy system is fundamental to reaching the government’s decarbonisation goals - starting with delivering a common framework for flexibility by March 2023.”
Stephanie Hay, Director of Networks and Innovation at TNEI comments:
“The development of the Flexibility Baselining tool is a crucial step for industry and the future provision of flexibility services.
At TNEI our mission statement is to lead the energy industry into a low carbon future and I think this tool encapsulates that mission perfectly. The team have been working closely with ENA and the TRANSITION project for a number of years now and it’s wonderful to see all of their hard work turn into something the whole industry can benefit from.”
A workshop webinar, which will include a practical run through of the new tool alongside an opportunity for Q&As, will be held on 20 April at 2pm You can register here.
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