In a new podcast created with The Energyst, Kinect Energy Group outlines charging regime change, the need to unlock flexibility and why businesses should think about EVs now, not later. Businesses that get to grips with flexible energy consumption and take steps to understand the flexibility within their estate will weather incoming change better than Read more…
EVs, smart charging and vehicle-to-grid: Your views required
The Energyst is asking readers for their views on electric vehicles (EVs). We hope to understand how public and private sector organisations perceive EVs, whether they are considering implementing charging infrastructure and to gauge attitudes towards smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services. Please take our short survey. Anonymised answers will form part of the research component Read more…
Volkswagen: Carmaker to become energy company
Volkswagen is to launch an energy company. The firm, which recently committed to invest €30bn in electric vehicles over the next five years, will supply clean power as well as smart chargers and plans to provide grid balancing services. The new company will be called Elli, which stands for Electric Life. The world’s largest carmaker Read more…
Ofgem’s targeted charging review: What’s the business cost impact?
Consultant Andy Pace outlines the cost implications of Ofgem’s incoming changes to residual electricity network charges Ofgem published a consultation on its Targeted Charging Review ‘minded to’ decision and draft impact assessment before Christmas. This minded to decision looks primarily at how the residual element of network charges are recovered both at transmission and distribution. No Read more…
2019 outlook: Energy managers outline key challenges
The Energyst asked senior energy managers for views on key challenges and opportunities for the year ahead. Here’s what they said: Adam Pawelas, group director environment & utilities, Carlsberg: “From an economic perspective, energy prices after being flat for some time are on the rise. It is difficult to predict exactly how that will play out Read more…
Energy supplier debt crisis creating “house of cards”
Energy suppliers have liabilities of hundreds of millions of pounds and more are likely to go bust. Those left standing will have to pick up the tab and pass it on to their customers, according to Chris Bowden, MD of business clean energy supplier Squeaky Energy. Bowden has decades of experience in finance and energy, Read more…
Nissan: 2019 “breakthrough year” for EVs as power plants, eyes energy supply market
Nissan sees 2019 as “a breakthrough year” for grid services via electric vehicles. The carmaker could potentially become an energy supplier soon after that. “It is something that could happen. In the UK there are companies offering electricity that are not typical utilities, so it is possible,” Eduardo Mascarell, head of energy aggregation and vehicle Read more…
Capacity Market top up auction planned for summer 2019
The UK government has reiterated that it hopes to re-start the Capacity Market as soon as possible and intends to run a ‘top up’ auction next summer. The market was suspended last month following a legal challenge by Tempus Energy. The European Commission now has to undertake a formal investigation after the General Court of Read more…
1GW of flex sought in London
A plan to unlock a gigawatt of peak flexible power resource in London by 2050 is underway. The GLA-backed Flex London project forms part of the Mayor’s plan to make the capital a zero carbon city. The authority, plus project partners, is bringing together public and private sector organisations that have the potential to provide Read more…
Beis Select Committee to investigate gas security
MPs will investigate UK gas security following pressure from major energy users. The Gas Security Group had been pushing for government to quantify the consequences of a lack of gas storage even before the cold snap last March forced National Grid to issue a warning that the UK was close to running out of gas. Read more…
Download the 2018 DSR Report: Aligning risk and reward
The Energyst’s 2018 DSR report is now available to download at www.theenergyst.com/dsr. It contains a survey of public and private sector organisations that provide demand-side response, as well as those that do not – but could do so if appropriately de-risked. It also includes in depth interviews with businesses about their DSR and battery storage Read more…
National Grid to trial same day frequency response auction
National Grid is to trial same day frequency response procurement from June 2019. The two year trial is “for a small volume of frequency response” but will enable less predictable technologies, such as wind, to participate, and give those with demand-side response a clearer picture of what may be required of them and when – Read more…
BES Utilities loses judicial review claim over data seized in raid
BES Utilities has lost a claim for judicial review following the raids on its premises by Lancashire Police and Trading Standards two years ago. In a related action, the company is also seeking £8.6m damages from Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards. The authorities are conducting an investigation into allegations of fraudulent sales of utilities. Read more…