National Grid finally gets hands on ‘much-needed’ generation data

Electralink has confirmed it is now able to provide “much-needed” distributed generation data to National Grid following the signing of a “long-awaited” contract between the two.

The move was prompted by concerns over the system operator’s ability to accurately gauge demand during peak hours due to a lack of visibility as to how much power is being produced by small-scale generators connected to local electricity networks.

According to Electralink, the issue has been exacerbated by rising energy demand and the growth of volatile renewable generation.

As the operator of the Data Transfer Service (DTS) for the power grid, the company has captured and stored half-hourly output data for 96 per cent of all distributed generation in Great Britain down to the level of individual supply points.

Access to the information is governed by the DTS user group. Earlier this year, Electralink submitted a request on behalf of National Grid to allow the system operator to get its hands on the data. The change to the DTS agreement was approved by the panel in April.

Electralink chief executive, Stuart Lacey, said: “We believe market data transparency is good for consumers and the energy industry.

“However, there are good reasons why the National Grid request for MPAN [Meter Point Administration Number] level data went through a governance process overseen by the representatives of the DTS users that generate the data.

“Data at this level of granularity can be used to identify individuals and I am glad that ElectraLink was able to work with the users and GDPR legislation to identify a legitimate purpose for the data requested by National Grid.”

Fears have previously been raised that a lack of visibility over the energy system could lead to “blind” over-procurement in capacity market auctions, killing off new technologies such as demand side response and battery storage.