Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is proud to sign up to the Energy Networks Association (ENA) led initiative, Six Steps for Delivering Flexibility Services, integral to meeting the UK's 2050 net zero target.
The proliferation of low-carbon, smart and flexible technologies is unlocking exciting opportunities, and creating new markets for households, businesses and communities to engage with. These new markets will be supported by the six steps the UK network industry outlined last week. As signatories, SSEN commits to:
- Champion a level playing field
- Ensure visibility and accessibility
- Conduct procurement in an open and transparent manner
- Provide clarity on the dispatch of services
- Provide regular, consistent and transparent reporting
- Work together towards whole energy system outcomes
These steps build upon the 'Flexibility First' commitment SSEN became a signatory to in December 2018. This means that all of Britain's local electricity grid operators have committed to assess smart flexibility service markets when reviewing requirements for building significant new electricity network infrastructure.
Ensuring that active customers in the energy market can be assured they are competing on a level playing field, and have access to participation is imperative in the success of transition to a smarter, flexible and secure network. SSEN is already taking an industry leading position in commissioning Frontier Economics to develop the methodology to decide between traditional network reinforcement and flexible alternatives.
Stewart Reid, Head of DSO and Innovation at SSEN, said:
"Building a responsive grid that flexes with demand could save consumers up to £8bn a year by 2030. Smart technologies will increase consumers' choice and control, for example, by allowing them to charge their electric vehicles at off peak times, or when it is sunniest, drawing on electricity generated by the solar panels on their neighbours' roofs."
"In committing to the ENA's Six Steps we have joined all other network operators and major players in a shared vision of the net zero network that we are building and a unified understanding of the principles that provide the foundations to achieve this ambitious aim."
The full text of ENA's Flexibility Commitment: Our Six Steps for Delivering Flexibility Services can be viewed here.