UK Power Networks’ Distributed System Operator reaches a significant milestone, integrating over 100,000 assets on its Localflex trading platform, enhancing the flexibility of the energy network.
UK Power Networks’ Distributed System Operator (DSO) has successfully achieved a significant milestone by integrating over 100,000 live assets on its Localflex trading platform, amounting to a total flexibility of 2GW. This achievement marks an important advancement in the company’s efforts to establish a smarter, more flexible energy network, according to an official statement from the DSO.
The portfolio of integrated assets spans a diverse spectrum of market participants, showcasing the growing interest and capabilities of flexibility providers across various sectors. These include electric vehicle smart charging solutions, battery storage systems, energy management for both domestic and commercial purposes, as well as renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind farms. This range of assets demonstrates the collaborative potential within the energy sector for enhancing its overall flexibility.
Alex Howard, the head of flexibility markets at UK Power Networks’ DSO, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to enabling diverse customer engagement in energy flexibility efforts. Speaking to Smart Energy International, he stated, “We have a responsibility to empower a diverse range of customers to contribute to our energy flexibility efforts.”
The DSO has embarked on a transformative journey since launching the first day-ahead flexibility market in April, transitioning to the Localflex platform managed by EPEX SPOT. This new setup facilitates the seamless management of the flexibility procurement process, thus attracting a broader array of flexibility providers. Howard emphasised the benefits of this evolution, noting, “By making flexibility accessible to all, we are maximising value for our customers and enhancing the resilience of our electricity system.”
The introduction of the day-ahead market provides significant advantages for participants, allowing them to place bids closer to real-time. This flexibility improves market accessibility and aligns well with the variable operational schedules of many providers.
In the context of the 2023/24 operational year, UK Power Networks reported the dispatch of 7.8GWh of flexibility—a remarkable seven-fold increase compared to the previous year. This surge in activity not only underpins the importance of flexible energy solutions but also generated an estimated £91 million (approximately US$112 million) in benefits for consumers.
This latest milestone aligns with the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 action plan, which aims to transform the nation’s electricity supply by significantly boosting the deployment of renewable energy sources and expanding consumer-led flexibility by five times. The 100,000 flexible assets registered on the Localflex platform not only assist UK Power Networks in meeting the electricity needs of its customers but also play a critical role in balancing the wider energy system.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://theenergyst.com/uk-power-networks-dso-hits-flexibility-milestone/ – Corroborates the integration of over 100,000 live assets on the Localflex trading platform, totaling 2GW of flexibility, and the diverse range of market participants.
- https://electricalreview.co.uk/2025/01/10/uk-power-networks-dso-reaches-2gw-flexibility-milestone/ – Supports the achievement of 2GW of flexibility with over 100,000 live assets and the variety of assets including electric vehicle smart chargers and renewable energy sources.
- https://theenergyst.com/uk-power-networks-dso-hits-flexibility-milestone/ – Quotes Alex Howard, the head of flexibility markets at UK Power Networks’ DSO, on the commitment to enabling diverse customer engagement in energy flexibility efforts.
- https://electricalreview.co.uk/2025/01/10/uk-power-networks-dso-reaches-2gw-flexibility-milestone/ – Details the launch of the first day-ahead flexibility market and the transition to the Localflex platform managed by EPEX SPOT, enhancing market accessibility.
- https://www.epexspot.com/en/news/new-partnership-between-uk-power-networks-and-epex-spot-set-supercharge-flexibility-market – Explains the partnership between UK Power Networks and EPEX SPOT, the benefits of the day-ahead market, and the seamless management of flexibility procurement.
- https://electricalreview.co.uk/2025/01/10/uk-power-networks-dso-reaches-2gw-flexibility-milestone/ – Reports the dispatch of 7.8GWh of flexibility in the 2023/24 operational year, a seven-fold increase, and the generated consumer benefits of £91 million.
- https://theenergyst.com/uk-power-networks-dso-hits-flexibility-milestone/ – Aligns the milestone with the UK government’s Clean Power 2030 action plan, aiming to boost renewable energy deployment and expand consumer-led flexibility.
- https://www.epexspot.com/en/news/new-partnership-between-uk-power-networks-and-epex-spot-set-supercharge-flexibility-market – Details the role of local flexibility markets in minimizing the need for additional grid infrastructure and supporting the Net Zero transition.
- https://electricalreview.co.uk/2025/01/10/uk-power-networks-dso-reaches-2gw-flexibility-milestone/ – Highlights the critical role of the 100,000 flexible assets in balancing the wider energy system and meeting electricity needs.
- https://theenergyst.com/uk-power-networks-dso-hits-flexibility-milestone/ – Mentions the diverse range of assets, including electric vehicle smart charging, batteries, and renewable energy sources, contributing to the flexibility market.
- https://www.epexspot.com/en/news/new-partnership-between-uk-power-networks-and-epex-spot-set-supercharge-flexibility-market – Describes EPEX SPOT’s role in delivering a world-class customer experience and facilitating the growth of a highly scalable and innovative flexibility market.