We are transforming into a DSO — and this journey is about empowering our stakeholders, accelerating Net Zero, and making sure no one is left behind.
As part of our transition to a smarter, more flexible energy system, we are delivering our DSO activites to enable greater customer participation, develop flexibility markets, share data securely, and enhance network efficiency.
By improving network visibility, optimising the use of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), and fostering market-based flexibility, we are driving a more resilient, reliable, and decarbonised electricity system to support the UK’s Net Zero targets.
DSO Conferences
We welcomed a collection of stakeholders and industry experts to our DSO conferences. To realise the goal of Net Zero, we need to create opportunities for collaboration across the industry and ensure that the pace of change is delivered by all parties.
To get involved with upcoming DSO engagement opportunities, visit Engage360 to register your interest.
Stakeholder Outcomes
We have updated our approach to DSO, building it around four key stakeholder outcomes. These outcomes have been tested with, and are supported by, our stakeholders.
Enabling capacity for customer connections, growth and decarbonisation
Helping customers to participate in a flexible energy system
Providing easy access to accurate and timely data
Operating a reliable and decarbonised network
Our Open Data Portal
We recognise that access to our data and information has a pivotal role in facilitating efficient whole system planning and support the development of new markets and opportunities. We are committed to sharing our data with customers and stakeholders. To facilitate this, we have developed and launched our own Open Data Portal, which provides access to our data via a single, easy-to-access interface, enabling users to easily explore, filter, view, download and consume our data.
Flexibility Services
To meet evolving customer needs, we are developing smarter, more flexible network solutions to help mitigate the need for traditional reinforcement and reduce costs for our customers. This is cheaper for our customers as it enables us to delay expensive reinforcement work for as long as possible.
Key Documents
DSO Benefits Assessment
Read the independent report on how we are tracking and calculating benefits from DSO activities.
Decision Making Framework
This document explains how we decide where to utilise flexibility services instead of other intervention options.
Conflict of Interest Management Plan
This document explains how we identify, assess, and mitigate perceived and real conflicts of interest.
DNO:DSO Operating Framework
This document sets out internal DNO and DSO responsibilities and interactions for delivering DSO activities.
DSO Performance Panel Submission
Read about our DSO activities in our 2023/24 RIIO-ED2 Performance Panel Submission.
DSO Strategy
Read about our ambition and commitment to the DSO transition.
Innovative Projects
Innovation is at the heart of our DSO transition, and through industry-leading and innovative approaches, we are paving the way in developing solutions which support the decarbonisation of society.
Network Analyse and View (NAVi) Platform
The NAVi platform is the central brain behind many of our applications and tools, for example our Local Authority Network Insight Tool (LANIT) used by Local Authorities to explore deployment of low carbon technology (LCT) across their property portfolio.
It is a highly sophisticated network connectivity model allowing us to assess everything from real-time operations to long term scenario planning. We have developed this in-house to incorporate daily updates, providing the most up-to-date view to us and our stakeholders.
Read more hereEV-Up and Heat-Up
We have developed two enhanced forecasting tools built on successful innovation projects: EV-Up and Heat-Up.
These use spatial, demographic, and socioeconomic data to forecast electric vehicle (EV) and heat pump uptake for every customer we serve. They are complementary to our low, baseline, and high scenario forecasts which consider a range of factors (such as legislation and technology development) to forecast total EV and heat pump volumes across our whole licence area. EV-Up and Heat-Up show, for any scenario, how these are likely to roll-out across the network – they show us which individual households are likely to get these and when.
Read more here
REPOWER
Our successful Distributed ReStart innovation project (2020-2023) demonstrated the role of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as batteries, wind and solar in system restoration. The findings of the project are now being deployed across our network as ‘REPOWER’.
REPOWER will create Distributed Restoration Zones (DRZs) across Central, Fife, and Dumfries and Galloway, enabling bottom-up energisation of the network during a National Power Outage via embedded generation at the 11kV and 33kV levels. Once fully implemented by 2028, REPOWER will be capable of restoring supply to around 1 million people and 25% of SPD demand within 24 hours. REPOWER will reduce restoration costs, improve reliability, and open new revenue streams for DERs, and is a key step towards integrating distributed flexibility into core system operations.
The project is currently in delivery, focused on completing network upgrades, developing commercial frameworks for DER participation, and strengthening DSO-NESO coordination.
Read more here
Have your say
Register as a stakeholder to tell us what matters to you and to stay informed of future engagement opportunities.
Register as a Stakeholder
Contact us
Please get in touch if you have any DSO equiries
Email us