Electricity distribution network operator, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), is calling on its key stakeholders to attend a webinar on Friday 10 July at 10am, to discuss opportunities to play an active role in the delivery of a low-carbon, smarter energy system.
SSEN has identified 11 areas across the north of Scotland which will benefit from smarter solutions, known as Constraint Managed Zones (CMZ), to manage electricity demand during maintenance work or fault conditions:
- St Mary's, Orkney Islands
- Barvas A and B, Isle of Lewis, Western Isles
- Aultbea, North-West Highlands
- Ullapool, Highlands
- Fort William, Highlands
- Scalloway, Shetland Islands
- Setter Sandwick, Shetland Islands
- Sumburgh, Shetland Islands
- Raigmore, Inverness
- Waterloo Place, Inverness
Flexibility services from renewable energy generators and battery storage, including hydro, solar and wind, can opt in to being paid to provide power to support SSEN's network during maintenance and faults on the network, reducing the reliance on fossil-fuel based energy generation and preventing overloading of the system. Providers can also opt in to be paid to turn down their electricity demand to support SSEN's network operations.
The webinar will cover an overview of the services SSEN is seeking from local flexibility providers, providing further detail on the upcoming procurement process which will be live on Piclo Flex in the coming weeks, the independent marketplace for buying and selling smart grid flexibility services.
Alex Howison, Flexible Solutions Manager at SSEN, said:
"As we develop a smarter, more flexible, energy system to support the UK's net zero ambitions, customers and communities now have new opportunities to play an active role in the energy system."
"Following great success from our first Constraint Managed Zone on the Scottish islands where we avoided carbon emissions equivalent of taking 971 cars off the road for a year, our ambition is to increase flexibility across our networks, delivering cost-effective solutions and significant carbon reductions to help meet the UK's climate action commitments."
"I'd encourage anyone interested in providing flexibility services across our network areas in the north of Scotland and central southern England to join the webinar where our teams will provide further information on the opportunities available to get involved."
The webinar will take place on Friday 10 July from 10am - 11.15am. To find out more and register, please click here.
To read more on how a local hydro-electric generator recently worked alongside SSEN to keep power flowing across Islay, Jura and Colonsay, avoiding 2,450 tonnes of CO2 emissions, click here.