ENA sets out plans for Open Networks project in 2022

The Energy Networks Associations has set out its plans for its Open Networks project in 2022, which will continue to focus on heavily standardising and coordinating flexibility services.

The ENA said the industry initiative, which was launched in 2017 to accelerate the transition to a smart, flexible energy system, has enabled the UK to establish “world leading” local flexibility markets, with contracts for more than 3GW of flexibility being made available for tender in Great Britain last year.

In its work programme for 2022, the ENA said the Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan recently updated by Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has given networks “a clear mandate to deliver a common framework for flexibility by 2023.”

“This means that work on standardising and co-ordinating network approaches to flexibility will remain a high priority in 2022 with a focus on delivering tangible change in the near-term,” the document stated.

“Enabling local flexibility markets that are accessible and efficient requires co-ordinated effort across a number of existing network functions, including planning, forecasting, and connections. It is increasingly important that these functions are co-ordinated and optimised to support the needs of flexibility markets.”

The programme for 2022 features six workstreams:

• Flexibility services, which will include further development of the common evaluation methodology for flexibility services and the standard agreement for procurement; the alignment of processes and timescales; the definition and implementation of primacy rules for service conflicts; the definition and refinement of new and existing flexibility products; a review of the interoperability of dispatch and settlement processes; and the development of a common methodology for monitoring and reviewing carbon emissions.
• Whole electricity system planning and data exchange across transmission and distribution, which will see further alignment between future energy scenarios; the development of a plan for gaining visibility over distributed energy resources; and the review and standardisation of mechanisms for sharing real-time time data and operational forecasts.
• Customer information provision and connections, which will seek to enhance information provision to customers through connection and contracting processes and communicate whole electricity system needs to asset developers and owners. This will include further development and digitalisation of distribution network operators’ embedded capacities registers.
• Distribution system operation (DSO) transition, which will involve monitoring and updating the DSO implementation plan as well as the register of potential conflicts of interest and unintended consequences.
• Whole energy system, which will include further development of the cost benefit analysis tool for whole system solutions and the implementation of a local whole system optioneering service for local authorities to help inform their plans.
• Communications and stakeholder management

Farina Farrier, head of Open Networks at the ENA, said: “This is an ambitious and essential body of work to progress the transition, with 24 extensive products across six workstreams.

“With around 3GW of flexibility available for tender in Great Britain in 2021, the programme’s work has helped the UK to establish world leading local flexibility markets, and in 2022 we aim to deliver key actions from government’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan.

“It will be another busy but productive year as we get a step closer to government’s 2035 clean energy source target for UK’s electricity and the ultimate goal of net zero, and we look forward to rising to the challenge.”

Sotiris Georgiopoulos, Open Networks chair and head of smart grid development at UK Power Networks, said: “2022 marks the fifth anniversary of ENA’s Open Networks, and through its work over the past five years the programme has introduced real momentum into the transition to a smart and flexible energy system.

“The programme aims to continue to set out a clear delivery pathway this year, drawing on the expertise of network companies, Ofgem, UK government and wider industry to develop, facilitate and progress the necessary steps that will improve transparency, boost new flexibility markets, and secure the supply of clean, low-carbon energy.”