Retailers demand detailed ANM data from networks

Representatives of major energy retailers have called for power networks to make granular information on Active Network Management activities publicly available.

Taking part in a private debate on data requirements for vibrant energy flexibility markets in the UK, two senior representatives from major energy retail organisations agreed that detailed system management information is a “missing link” which is hampering their ambitions to activate consumer participation in demand side flexibility.

They called for the Distribution System Operator (DSO) functions established by power distribution companies to work harder on making this kind of information easily accessible via public APIs.

Further insight into industry comments made during this private debate are available in a post-event report which can be read in full here.

Explaining further, one flexibility market strategy expert commented: “It’s the system level data that is really valuable to us – data like networks congestion. ANM dispatch data – as granular as possible because it enables us to see where the need for flexibility is and where those bottlenecks [in capacity] are going to appear.”

The same debate participant emphasized that getting “much nearer” to real time presentation of this data is also important for activating the full potential of consumers in demand side markets.

A senior flexibility product development leader at another major energy supplier agreed with these sentiments saying “ANM data is a really, really important missing link”. In particular, this debate participant wanted access to ANM curtailment to be regularly reported by networks. They suggested a lack of transparency on ANM curtailment is creating an unlevel playing field in flexibility tenders and making it hard for flexibility providers to make strategic choices about which tenders they bid into.

“We’ve raised it with Ofgem,” they shared. “It should be a part of the DSO incentive – regular reporting, not just of overall curtailment but specifically ANM curtailment. Because it’s patchy at best at the moment.”

This debate, hosted under the Chatham House rule to encourage frank expressions of frustration and expectation around data for flexibility, was hosted by Utility Week in association with SSEN Distribution. It was attended by a variety of flexibility market stakeholders, including energy retailers, aggregators, smart home service providers and representatives for distributed energy asset owners.

Responding post-event to industry calls for closer to real time availability of system management data, SSEN’s Nigel Bessant was keen to highlight the creation of its Near Real-time Data Access (NeRDA) portal which makes live power flow information from its networks openly available.

He commented: “Making near real-time data accessible from DNOs is facilitating an economic and efficient development and operation in the transition to a low carbon economy.

“NeRDA is a key enabler for the delivery of Net Zero, by opening network data it is creating opportunities for the flexible markets, helping to identify the best locations to invest flexible resources and connect faster.”

Further insight into the data expectations and frustrations of flexibility market stakeholders which were shared at this debate are captured in a special report, which you can read in full here.