UK Power Networks’ Distribution System Operator (DSO) has achieved a significant milestone in energy flexibility, with over 100,000 live assets, totalling 2GW of flexibility, registered on its Localflex trading platform.
This marks a key step towards building a more flexible grid, as UK Power Networks helps enable the low carbon transition for London, the South East and East of England where it delivers power.
The total includes assets from ongoing day-ahead flexibility markets as well as longer-term tenders, underscoring the growing interest in and capability of flexibility providers for a smart and flexible energy network. The assets represent a hugely diverse range of market participants from electric vehicle smart charging to batteries, domestic and commercial energy management, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind farms.
This year has marked a transition in UK Power Networks’ flexibility procurement to the Localflex platform, operated by EPEX SPOT. Localflex allows seamless management of the entire flexibility procurement process, and has opened the door to broader participation from a wide range of flexibility providers. The day-ahead market offers a key advantage, enabling participants to bid closer to real-time, which enhances market accessibility and supports providers with variable operational schedules.
In 2023/24, 7.8GWh of flexibility was dispatched, reflecting a seven-fold increase from the previous year and delivering £91million in consumer benefits. This milestone supports the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which aims to transform the UK’s supply of electricity by significantly increasing the deployment of renewable energy and growing consumer-led flexibility five-fold. The 100,000 flexible assets can all contribute to meeting UK Power Networks’ customers’ electricity needs as well as balancing the wider system.
“We have a responsibility to empower a diverse range of customers to contribute to our energy flexibility efforts,” said Alex Howard, head of flexibility markets at UK Power Networks’ DSO.
“With the launch in April of the first day-ahead flexibility market and our transition to Localflex, we’re enabling consumers and businesses of all sizes to engage and deliver flexibility where it’s needed most. By making flexibility accessible to all, we are maximising value for our customers and enhancing the resilience of our electricity system.”
“UK Power Networks’ commitment to innovation in the flexibility market is driving meaningful change,” said Stuart Fenner, director of wholesale market services commercial at EDF.
“By opening new opportunities for participation and streamlining processes, they are creating a more efficient and collaborative market. We’re proud to work with UK Power Networks to deliver value to customers and help Britain achieve Net Zero.”
