DNOs contracted 1.9GW of flexibility for 2021/22

Distribution network operators (DNOs) contracted 1.9GW of capacity to provide flexibility services over the year to end of March, having tendered for at least 3.6GW, according to new figures released by the Energy Networks Association (ENA).

The trade body said DNOs have already tendered for 3.2GW of flexibility for 2022/23, contracting 1.1GW so far, and still plan to hold tenders for another 2GW.

As part of the Open Networks project, DNOs have agreed a suite of four standard flexibility services:

• Sustain – Providers change their generation or demand for a defined period to prevent the network exceeding firm capacity
• Secure – Providers change their generation or demand in response to network conditions close to real time
• Dynamic – Providers change their generation or demand following a network abnormality
• Restore – Providers remain off supply, reconnect with lower demand or reconnect to generate electricity to help restore the network following an outage

The 1.9GW of flexibility contracted for 2021/22 comprised 28MW of Sustain, 375MW of Secure, 926MW of Dynamic and 538MW of Restore.

Flexibility tendered and contracted for 2021/22

Notes: Figures in table represent peak capacity in megawatts.

The vast majority of flexibility was contracted by three DNOs – Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, UK Power Networks and Western Power Distribution – with Northern Powergrid tendering for and contracting none.

SP Energy Networks was unique in tendering for 5MVAr of reactive power capacity for 2021/22 although none was contracted.

The volumes of flexibility contracted has grown significantly in recent years from 111MW for 2018, 256MW for 2019 and 1.2GW for 2020.

DNOs recently switched to reporting volumes for regulatory rather than calendar years. They tendered for almost 2.8GW of flexibility for 2021 and contracted more than 1.6GW.

Farina Farrier, head of the Open Networks project at the ENA, said: “Britain’s energy networks are powering forward further and faster than ever in expanding flexibility across the grid. As we transition towards a smarter and more flexible energy system, flexibility will increasingly play a key role, with the network geared towards facilitating a two-way relationship between consumer and grid.

“Flexibility and new infrastructure investment will play a joint role in enabling the diversification and decarbonisation of the energy grid. That’s why early and vital investment in the network alongside these local flexibility markets remains crucial to ensuring we continue to deliver the best value for consumers and businesses.”