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Flexibility

Our energy system is changing – not only are we generating more ‘distributed’ renewable electricity i.e. electricity generators which are connected to a distribution network rather than the transmission network, but we are using more electricity than ever before due to increased electrification of the heat and transport sectors.

However, the problem with distributed renewable energy is that in most cases we can’t control when it is generated e.g. we can’t turn the wind up or down on demand to match our energy usage patterns. There is also the problem of where renewable electricity is being generated. Unlike the transmission network, distribution network infrastructure was not designed to be able to cope with lots of new electricity loads, therefore it is becoming much more difficult to connect new generation plants to an increasingly congested grid.

Traditionally, networks operators reinforced, upgraded and installed power lines and substations to cope with increasing electricity loads, however this is very costly and takes time. The answer to these problems is ‘flexibility’.

 

What is Flexibility

Ofgem defines flexibility as ‘modifying generation and/or consumption patterns in reaction to an external signal (such as a change in price) to provide a service within the energy system’. Flexibility means changing how and when we consume and produce energy to ensure that the power generated and delivered to us always matches the amount we use. The growth of smart meters and other ‘smart’ technologies will help facilitate this e.g. automated remote control systems can synchronise the charge times of EVs or electric heaters to when the sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and there is spare power.

 
 

Load Flexibility

Consumers are encouraged to use electricity at times when it is most available and not when it is in short supply (also called demand-side flexibility). Energy companies would incentivise this behaviour change by offering special Time of Use Tariffs (ToUT) which would result in lower bills for the customer.

Storage Flexibility

Using batteries or other forms of storage to store energy when it is plentiful, or, when there is too much for network cables to carry, to be used later when it is needed.

Generation Flexibility

Generation flexibility involves ramping the production of power plants up or down to help manage normal fluctuations in supply with generators being paid to provide this flexibility.

 

Opportunities to provide a flexibility service

The flexibility from a single home or business or a single solar PV system or storage battery on its own is not of interest to power companies, however, there could be a role for community-owned ‘aggregators’ (intermediaries between electricity users and power companies), to sign up lots of individual households and small businesses to provide large ‘packets’ of flexibility.

Commercial electricity users have been providing flexibility services to power companies for some time now either by direct contracts or via flexibility aggregators, however there is currently no domestic flexibility market. The UK and Scottish Governments and the power companies are planning for household flexibility to join the market over the next couple of years and some power companies are already trialling how to do this through small scale pilot projects.

To learn more about flexibility and the role that community aggregators might play in the energy market, read Carbon Co-op & Regen’s Local Flexibility Markets guide.

 

What Can I Do Now?

Even though there is no domestic flexibility market right now in the UK, if your community organisation is interested in playing a role in developing local flexibility markets and services, there are some things you can do even at this early stage:

 

1. Develop a relationship with your DNO

These are the companies that own the cables that carry electricity to your building or home. They are responsible for monitoring and balancing electricity loads on the grid and they are prepared to pay providers of flexibility services.

2. Take part in flexibility trials

You may be able to participate in flexibility trials or pilots run by DNOs, energy suppliers and other interested stakeholders. Learn more about the pilot trials by using the links below:

 

Flexibility Pilot Projects

 
Visit PicloFlex a nationwide online flexibility marketplace

Energy tech firm, Piclo, recently launched PicloFlex, a nationwide online flexibility marketplace, in collaboration with all 6 of the UK’s DNOs and more than 250 flexibility providers. Procurers of flexibility in the UK will be able to search for and bid into various flexibility products.

 

Other innovative renewable energy projects

Other innovative renewable energy projects which incorporate flexibility methods are Heat Smart Orkney and SMILE.

 

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