About Flexibility
Flexibility Services Overview
Flexibility services is where a Distribution Network Operator (DNO), like us, pays a third party to operate assets in a way that’s beneficial to our network. Those third parties will be owners of generation assets or low carbon technologies (LCTs) such as wind turbines, battery storage, solar or electric vehicles, and we may ask them to “turn down” or up depending on the needs of our network. In other words, we might ask them to lower the power consumption of their assets for an agreed period to allow us to free up that capacity for use elsewhere, or we might ask them to use more power in areas where we have excess generation.
As the needs of our customers and communities are constantly changing, the requirements of our electricity network are too. The increased uptake of LCTs does often result in constraints on the network during periods of high demand. However, new technologies and connections can often lead to excess generation in other areas too. Flexibility therefore provides an agile, smart means of balancing our network to solve both of those challenges.
Check out our Q&A video below to learn more:
Flexibility Products
| Market Based Flexibility Products (MW) | Flexibility Product Description |
|---|
| SUSTAIN – (SCHEDULED) | - Sustain will be scheduled in advance of the service window.
- Utilisation fee payable for the service provided in response to the scheduled notice.
- No availability fee payable.
|
| SECURE - (PRE-FAULT) | - Secure can be dispatched or scheduled.
- Utilisation fee payable for the service provided in response to the scheduled notice.
- Arming fee is payable.
|
| DYNAMIC – (POST-FAULT) | - Providers declare availability one week ahead.
- Dispatch instruction issued if service is required.
- Utilisation fee payable if service is provided.
- Availability fee is payable once availability has been accepted.
|
| RESTORE – (POST-FAULT NETWORK RESTORATION) | - Providers declare availability one week ahead and declarations automatically accepted.
- Dispatch instruction if service is required following a network event.
- Utilisation fee payable for the service provided.
|
| REACTIVE POWER – (ALIGNED WITH THE SECURE PRODUCT) | - Reactive Power can be dispatched or scheduled
- Utilisation fee payable for the service provided in response to the scheduled notice
- Arming fee is payable
|
Flexibility Providers
We will look to procure flexibility services through competitive tenders where possible and the responses from the flexibility providers will be used to:
- Identify the availability of flexibility resources in specific areas where flexibility could benefit the network.
- Understand the capabilities and restrictions of these resources.
- Evaluate the viability of using flexibility to meet network requirements.
Flexible Power
Flexible Power is a joint initiative from five UK Electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs); SP Energy Networks, Western Power Distribution, Northern Powergrid, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Electricity Northwest.
By collaborating together on flexible power, we are able to offer a single point of information in respect of each DNOs flexibility service requirements.
Flexibility providers are able to view flexibility locations, requirement data, procurement notices and documentation published by all five DNOs on the joint website. Once contracted, providers are given access to the joint Flexible Power Portal where they can declare their assets availability, receive dispatch signals and view performance and settlement reports.
Flexibility Providers that contract through Flexible Power have the benefit of;
- Generating new income form their power assets
- Efficient participation though Flexible Powers electronic dispatch portal
- Supporting their local energy network
Please visit Flexible Power using this link:
Tender Timelines
Spring Tender: Signposting. Company PQQ. April - May: Asset Qualification 6 weeks. May - June: Technical Assessment 2 weeks. June: Bidding Window 1 weeks. June - August: Commercial Assessment 4-8 weeks. Contract Award
Contact Us
We would welcome any feedback, comments or questions on our flexibility tenders. Please contact our flexibility team at: Flexibility@spenergynetworks.co.uk