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Insight
Making an impact – landmark achievements
SSEN has been fast out the blocks in delivering some significant new solutions and platforms which are helping it execute its DSO responsibilities.
In addition to building out substantial new system planning and analysis capabilities (as detailed in the previous chapter) three major developments stand out as landmark achievements from SSEN’s DSO function in 2023.
1. LENZA (Local Energy Net Zero Accelerator)
Over three years in the making, SSEN’s LENZA tool is designed to help local authorities develop their decarbonisation plans effectively. It is a geospatial planning platform which provides data on network constraints and empowers local planners to make better decisions about where to install new energy assets. So far, SSEN has used LENZA to support detailed Local Area Energy Plan work with 11 Scottish and 38 English Local Authorities. This is against a commitment in its RIIO2 business plan to collaborate with 72 authorities across it license areas.
Find out more here.
2. NeRDA (Near Real-time Data Access) portal[NB1]
In line with industry expectations set by the Open Networks project, led by the Energy Networks Association, SSEN’s NeRDA portal makes power flow information from across SSEN’s networks available. This public BETA draws on a number of sources including SCADA systems, low voltage monitoring equipment and other forecasting and modelling tools. The portal aims to help identify areas of constraint on the network where flexibility services might be welcome and support an efficient approach to fast tracking connections.
The NeRDA portal regularly see more than 3,000 visits a month with around a fifth being first time users and with around 20 API users engaged.
Find out more here
3. HOMEflex
HOMEflex is an innovation project originally funded through the Network Innovation Allowance (a forerunner to the current Strategic Innovation Fund). It aims to create confidence among household and microbusiness energy customers about the idea of engaging in energy flexibility services. A key output of the HOMEflex project so far has been the HOMEfelx code of conduct. This sets out expectations for flexibility service providers around how they should engage with customers. It includes guidance on appropriate sales and marketing behaviours and handling of complaints.
Launched at a well-attended stakeholder event in November 2023 the Code of Conduct was quickly adopted by National Grid ESO to embed fairness in its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS). From the start of DFS 2023/24, 11 aggregators and suppliers agreed to abide by the Code. This represents nearly half of the potential domestic flexibility market; with the likes of British Gas, OVO, Good Energy and Equiwatt.
Alongside Flex Assure – a similar initiative set up by the Association of Decentrlaised Energy and industrial and commercial flexibility markets – SSEN is moving to create the HOMEflex Compliance Scheme to help flexibility providers give the very best service to households and microbusinesses. The scheme will launch in time for winter 2024/25 to help DNOs and National Grid ESO procure flexibility providers who are inclusive, transparent and fair with consumers, especially consumer who are in vulnerable situations.
Speaking about the significance of the DSO’s biggest achievements to date, Roper says: “HOMEflex is key. We believe network operators have a responsibility to support consumers and help them take part in the net zero transition – we can’t do it without them.
“HOMEflex will help build confidence and trust in these new markets and services. But it’s just part of a wider programme of work we’re doing looking at what a just transition really means for us and our communities. Back in 2020 we set out our 20 principles for a Just Transition. More recently we published our Fair Energy Future report which is a proposal for how we tackle issues around inclusion and transparency head on. This includes making sure we get the building blocks of a just transition in place – energy efficiency and smart meters.”
Turning his attention to NeRDA, Roper claims the portal’s BETA release “has really set the benchmark for the industry in terms of data transparency”.
And more...
SSEN’s landmark work in 2023 has already been supplemented with the publication of a range of significant publication in 2024 which help build transparency and clarity around its decision making methodologies, plans for key data releases and the development schedule for new flexibility services. These publications include:
Turning his attention to NeRDA, Roper claims the portal’s BETA release “has really set the benchmark for the industry in terms of data transparency”.
Explaining what makes it special, Roper says: “It’s an open data portal enabled by the open banking principles which have really transformed the financial services sector. API access also means suppliers and aggregators can easily match their flexibility resource to constraints.”
Enthusiastic though Roper is about both of the above achievements from his team, it’s perhaps LENZA that he considers to be the jewel in the crown so far.
“LENZA is incredibly important because it enables interaction with Local Authorities at scale. This is transformational because we need more, well-devised Local Area Energy Plans to help us see the ambitions of our communities and develop our network accordingly – we can design what we think is needed but we don’t have the mandate to decide what things will look like at a local level.
“But there is a problem because many Local Authorities just don’t have the skills or resources to develop their plans effectively. LENZA has allowed us to work in detail with a large number of Local Authorities to help clarify their plans and make well-informed investment decisions. It’s moved us well on our way already to meeting our RIIO2 commitment in this area.”
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