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The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has issued its annual consultation on the development of flexibility markets as part of its Open Networks projects.
Since the programme was launched in 2017, the trade body said the Open Networks project has helped to simplify and standardise flexibility markets, enabling distribution network operators (DNOs) to hold tenders for at least 3.6GW of flexibility for 2021/22.
The ENA said its latest consultation will seek to build on this previous work and take flexibility markets and the processes that underpin them to full maturity. It said the consultation will look to ensure that the foundations and frameworks of these markets, in particular the governance arrangements that networks operate within, are correct.
The topics covered by the consultation include:
- The move towards real-time or closer to real-time procurement of flexibility
- The development of a common application programming interface (API) for the dispatch of flexibility by system operators
- The standardisation of service scheduling as part of DNOs’ standard flexibility contract
- Primacy rules for addressing conflicts between system operators at the transmission and distribution levels
- Greater alignment of the four standard flexibility services which DNOs have agreed to procure but have interpreted slightly differently
- The standardisation of carbon reporting
- The sharing of curtailment information for flexible connections
- Feedback on the ENA’s new flexibility baselining tool
Dr Avinash Aithal, technical lead for Open Networks at the ENA, said: “As our recently announced flexibility figures show, these markets are witnessing year on year growth, proving their value to the energy system. With this latest round of consultation, we’re creating more avenues for the industry to engage with us in ways that work for them.
“We want to hear from as many people and organisations as possible so we can continue to deliver the smart, flexible system essential to achieving net zero at least cost.”
The ENA drew attention to its recent launch of a 21-member Open Networks Challenge Group chaired by Utility Week contributor Maxine Frerk.
The deadline for responses to the consultation is 12 September.
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