UK Power Networks’ Distributed System Operator (DSO) has successfully achieved a significant milestone by integrating over 100,000 live assets on its Localflex trading platform, amounting to a total flexibility of 2GW. This achievement marks an important advancement in the company's efforts to establish a smarter, more flexible energy network, according to an official statement from the DSO.
The portfolio of integrated assets spans a diverse spectrum of market participants, showcasing the growing interest and capabilities of flexibility providers across various sectors. These include electric vehicle smart charging solutions, battery storage systems, energy management for both domestic and commercial purposes, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind farms. This range of assets demonstrates the collaborative potential within the energy sector for enhancing its overall flexibility.
Alex Howard, the head of flexibility markets at UK Power Networks’ DSO, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to enabling diverse customer engagement in energy flexibility efforts. Speaking to Smart Energy International, he stated, “We have a responsibility to empower a diverse range of customers to contribute to our energy flexibility efforts.”
The DSO has embarked on a transformative journey since launching the first day-ahead flexibility market in April, transitioning to the Localflex platform managed by EPEX SPOT. This new setup facilitates the seamless management of the flexibility procurement process, thus attracting a broader array of flexibility providers. Howard emphasised the benefits of this evolution, noting, “By making flexibility accessible to all, we are maximising value for our customers and enhancing the resilience of our electricity system.”
The introduction of the day-ahead market provides significant advantages for participants, allowing them to place bids closer to real-time. This flexibility improves market accessibility and aligns well with the variable operational schedules of many providers.
In the context of the 2023/24 operational year, UK Power Networks reported the dispatch of 7.8GWh of flexibility—a remarkable seven-fold increase compared to the previous year. This surge in activity not only underpins the importance of flexible energy solutions but also generated an estimated £91 million (approximately US$112 million) in benefits for consumers.
This latest milestone aligns with the UK government's Clean Power 2030 action plan, which aims to transform the nation’s electricity supply by significantly boosting the deployment of renewable energy sources and expanding consumer-led flexibility by five times. The 100,000 flexible assets registered on the Localflex platform not only assist UK Power Networks in meeting the electricity needs of its customers but also play a critical role in balancing the wider energy system.
Source: Noah Wire Services