"Smart. Fair. Now.”
These are the clear, unambiguous words used by SSEN Distribution’s DSO Director, Andrew Roper. They underpin SSEN’s DSO Strategy and Action Plan, and shape the strategy's four key commitments:
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Forecasting and planning future needs.
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Developing an inclusive flexibility marketplace.
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Developing network flexibility at scale.
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Driving transparency and coordination.
As these commitments suggest, the journey from pure network operation to a new world of distribution systems, is already proving to be an interesting one. But it’s one with a clear destination – net zero.
As we move towards the 2030s, net zero activity is increasingly moving from utility-scale to households and businesses. Further emissions saved will be delivered house-by-house, street-by-street, and boardroom by boardroom.
Existing network wires and substations already support communities with safe and secure power whenever they need it. It’s a vital system function, and in itself is no mean feat.
But developing DSO capabilities means becoming much more proactive and predictive, using data and technology where required, to identify, prioritise and then use, sources of local flexibility to better meet system needs, alongside strategic investment in new network capacity.
It means acting as a partner to (and a coordinator of) an increasing variety of sources of local demand and production, whilst working in harmony – and in real time – with the national Electricity System Operator. It means being a leading player in delivering a low-carbon system where everyone can play a part, and which delivers real value for money for all electricity consumers.
Not just because regulation requires it, but because it is the right thing to do.
A crucial question is this. How will our communities and our stakeholders know that SSEN Distribution is making the good decisions on their behalf as they shoulder these important responsibilities? This is where the DSO Advisory Board comes in.
The board I lead will meet four times a year, and report annually.
We have brought together a group of impressive individuals that have a diverse and highly relevant set of skills and experience to bring to this process.
Around the table are experts in consumer engagement, community energy, energy markets and system operation, energy policy, and law.
Together, we’ll critically evaluate plans and methodologies, with the interests of SSEN's stakeholders at the front of minds, and with the framework of the four DSO strategic commitments above framing our critical challenge.
And we’ll hold Andrew Roper’s “Smart, Fair, Now” pledge up to the light, to ensure the decisions his team makes, live up to the promise of this phrase.
I’ll work with the DSO team at SSEN Distribution. But I don’t work for them. I work for you – SSEN’s customers, communities, and stakeholders. I’ll be pushing the DSO team to go further – and faster – in pursuit of what’s in your best interests.
This is why, as Chairperson of the Advisory Board, I am excited about working with my fellow board members, and working with Andrew and his team, as SSEN moves into the next phases of its DSO delivery journey.
Gareth Miller
DSO Advisory Board Chairperson
SSEN Distribution
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