Axle Energy is a flex provider focused on distributed devices: EV charging, batteries, and heat pumps. Axle connects to these devices on behalf of OEMs or energy suppliers and optimises devices considering needs of the customer and the grid. Axle Energy founded in early 2023 by energy industry & software veterans has quickly become a large provider of distributed flexibility in Great Britain. Utilising EV chargers, batteries, and heat pumps, Axle is able to provide large amounts of domestic flexibility in the GB DSO markets including SP Energy Network’s.
Axle
GB DSOs have demonstrated that flexibility services are a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods like network reinforcement. By using flexibility, DSOs can manage grid stability and peak demand more efficiently, reducing the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades. Axle Energy focuses on distributed assets such as EV chargers, batteries, and heat pumps, which are perfect for DSO flexibility programs. These assets provide significant benefits to the grid and offer advantages to consumers, including lower energy bills, increased efficiency, and potential earnings. For flexibility service providers, the benefits include improved operational efficiency and new revenue opportunities. Axle is committed to demonstrating how these devices can enhance the distribution grid, ensuring a reliable and cost-effective energy future.
SP Energy Networks has been working with Axle over many years through the long-term tenders, and recently, in our Month Ahead Market. Our month ahead market allows flexibility service providers to bid in to flex opportunities across both our SPD and SPM license areas. Each month, new flex requirements are made live, enabling providers to bid into locations where their assets can provide demand turn down services. The Month Ahead Market provides quicker returns for flexibility providers and immediate value for consumers. By participating in shorter-term tenders, providers can respond rapidly to grid needs, optimize asset use, and generate revenue more frequently, benefiting both the grid and customers with timely and efficient flexibility services.
“A key metric for us is how quickly we can return value to device owners after they opt-in to flexibility. The Month Ahead Market allows us to participate with a much shorter delay, creating more value for consumers while responding to the short-term flexibility needs at SPEN. We consider the addition of Month Ahead to be a very positive addition to the DSO flexibility landscape.”
Pelle Jacobs – Axle Energy
Over the next few years, Axle hopes to prove that DSO flex is an enduring, reliable alternative to network reinforcement, enabling the distribution grids to connect distributed assets more cheaply and easily without the cost and delay of major infrastructure works. For SPEN, Axle has been a key participant across both our SPD and SPM license areas provider demand side flexibility in over 25 locations whilst utilising both EV chargers and domestic batteries – highlighting the ability for all types of controllable domestic technologies to participate in our DSO Flex Markets. Below you can see a snapshot of the Axle’s key stats in our MA market so far:
Flexibility Contracted (MWs):
1.93
Flexibility Contracted (MWs):
120.1
“SPEN’s customer engagement has been fantastic - the team has been supportive, available, and helpful. We look forward to continuing to work with the SPEN flexibility team.”
Axle Energy
Learn more about Axle Energy. If you are interested in talking to us about Flexibility Services, you can contact us at flexibility@spenergynetworks.co.uk and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!