UK flexibility markets are fast evolving with untapped opportunities for both energy consumers and producers. SP Energy Networks and Enquip Energy have secured Ofgem funding through the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) for an innovation project that will explore how digital tools and data can unlock flexibility opportunities across public sector estates.
By making flexibility easier to identify and understand, the project aims to encourage greater participation in flexibility markets, helping organisations reduce costs while supporting the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
Flexibility can play an important role in supporting the UK’s transition to electrification, helping to reduce pressure on the electricity network as demand grows. The innovation project will deliver FOMo, the Flexibility Origination Module, which directly addresses this challenge while also generating new revenues for local authority customers. In addition, it will help networks accommodate more low carbon assets, such as renewable energy and the electrification of transport and heat services.
The FOMo project will explore how digital tools and data can help real estate owners better understand the flexibility available within their buildings and assets, as well as the potential revenue opportunities this could create. It will also consider how improved visibility of flexibility capacity across the network can support more informed planning and operational decisions by DSOs.
The project builds on learning from CivicFlex, a collaboration between SP Energy Networks, Liverpool City Council and Enquip Energy, which explored how local authorities can participate in flexibility markets. Working with assets including Liverpool Aquatics Centre, St John's Market, Wallasey Community Fire Station, and Paddington Village, CivicFlex revealed significant untapped flexibility potential across public sector estates, while also highlighting the challenges organisations face in identifying and accessing these opportunities.
Pamela Mathieson, Flexibility Procurement Manager at SP Energy Networks, said: "Public sector organisations have an important role to play in the future energy system, yet many flexibility opportunities remain untapped. FOMo will help us understand how better data and digital tools can support organisations to unlock that potential, creating benefits for customers and the wider network."
Hugo Chandler, Co-founder & Director at Enquip Energy, said: “We are really delighted to be continuing our work with SPEN through the FOMo Project, following our successful Realising Net Zero Liverpool Project together. FOMo is an opportunity to show the value of flex to the energy transition, as well as to energy prosumers looking to cut costs. The Flexibility Origination Module will complement our existing ENQUIP Platform, which helps owners of real estate cut costs and CO2 and generate new revenues from rapidly evolving energy markets, such as flex.”
The project will build on lessons learned through CivicFlex and explore how improved visibility of flexibility potential can support greater participation in flexibility markets, helping unlock benefits for public sector organisations, electricity networks, and consumers.
For more information about flexibility markets, or to find out how your organisation could participate, contact the Flexibility Team at flexibility@spenergynetworks.co.uk