Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is inviting industry stakeholders to take part in interactive workshops to support the transformation of energy networks to becoming smarter, more flexible and cost effective.

The workshops, to be held in Reading on 23 and 24October, will inform SSEN's TRANSITION project by testing a basic set of market rules that will govern the delivery of up to five services in a Distribution System Operator (DSO) world. The rules and the services they shape will help SSEN to design the system architecture that will underpin the future energy market.

TRANSITION is a £12.8 million project that is designing, developing, and demonstrating how the energy system architecture can be best designed to maximise opportunities created by the proliferation oflow-carbon, smart and flexible technologies. One of the deliverables of this project is a set of market rules that will govern services in a DSO world.

SSEN is a key partner in the Energy Network Association (ENA)'s Open Networks Project, a major energy industry initiative that will transform the way our energy networks operate and will underpin the delivery of DSO and a smart, flexible, interactive grid.

Attendees at the workshops will be able to interact with future energy scenarios, test the rules that govern them and challenge those that create unfairness. They will gain an insight into the future of energy and by participating and sharing their views, will also help to shape it. Engagement with customers and stakeholders is a central part of SSEN's commitment to a "you said, we did" approach.

Stewart Reid, Head of Future Networks at SSEN said: "SSEN is a strong supporter of the UK's net zero emissions reduction target and is committed to building the electricity network flexibility and infrastructure that will help support it."

"In a future DSO world, SSEN is committed to acting as a neutral market facilitator, ensuring a level playing field for all participants. The learnings from these workshops will inform our TRANSITION project and help us ensure that neutrality and conflict avoidance are embedded in the future electricity system architecture. I would encourage all interested stakeholders to get in touch and join us for what promises to be a fascinating process."

The outcome of these workshops will help develop field trials that will take place in summer 2020. Stakeholders are welcome from suppliers, traders, aggregators, customers, asset owners, DSO or ESO, or those with general industry expertise.

To register to attend this event on 23 October, click here

To register to attend this event on 24 October, click here

Both workshops will be held in SSE Offices, No1 Forbury Place, 43 Forbury Road, Reading RG1 3JH.