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Open Networks Five Years On illustration left
Open Networks Five Years On illustration right

For the past five years our Open Networks programme has been transforming the way the UK’s energy networks operate.

Welcome

Britain’s energy landscape is changing, and new smart technologies are changing the way we interact with the energy system.

As the transition towards a Net Zero economy accelerates, Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operators are building an energy system fit for a decarbonised future which leaves nobody behind.

Did you know?

Highlights

Our Open Networks programme has produced more than 350 deliverables across a range of work areas in five years. Below are some highlights from each year.

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2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
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DSO transition


Agreed a definition of what we mean by DSO and a set of core functionalities required for future network and system operation

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Charging


Identified issues with charging between transmission and distribution to feed into Ofgem’s charging review work
 

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Industry engagement


Commenced our Advisory Group – with 40 industry stakeholders

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Customer experience


Defined customer information improvements and shared best practice for management applications

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Project milestones


Open Networks launched in January

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Transmission and Distribution collaboration


Identified key issues in transmission distribution processes

See full 2017 highlights
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Opening Flexibility markets


Announced a formal Flexibility Commitment from GB DNOs

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Whole System efficiencies


Published proposed models and processes for whole electricity system investment planning

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Future Worlds


Hosted a Future Worlds event with almost 300 attendees

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Data transparency


Developed a Good practice guide for networks providing information to connecting customers

See full 2018 highlights
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Opening Flexibility markets


Delivering a commitment to open and expand local markets for flexibility services

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Whole System efficiencies


Bringing gas and electricity networks closer together for the first time in a whole system approach

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DSO transition


Securing a ground-breaking industry agreement on continuing the transition to DSO

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Data transparency


Increasing the provision and transparency of data through a System Wide Resource Register

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Industry engagement


Hosting our first Community Roundtables

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Project milestones


Publishing our first Monitoring Implementation Report

See full 2019 highlights
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Opening Flexibility markets


Delivered a standard contract for procuring flexibility services

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Whole System efficiencies


Developed a whole energy system cost benefit analysis to support better decision making

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DSO transition


Published an interactive roadmap to deliver DSO, and a transparent data-driven smart grid

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Data transparency


Produced a Digital System Map demonstration platform
 
 

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Industry engagement


Launched Community Energy Forums programme, a series of forums for community groups to talk to the networks

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Customer connections


Delivered a Queue Management user guide

See full 2020 highlights
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Opening Flexibility markets


Made around 3GW of flexibility - a record-breaking amount – available to the market for tendering

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Whole System efficiencies


Received recognition of a Cost Benefit Analysis framework under Ofgem’s re-opener guidance/CAM

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DSO transition


Updated an interactive roadmap to deliver DSO, which now contains 544 steps
 

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Industry engagement


Worked more closely with the industry to understand how to collaborate better, ultimately revising our governance to enable this in 2022

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Customer connections


Further developed Embedded Capacity Registers, continuing to open up and standardise data

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Transmission and Distribution collaboration


Increased visibility of network capacity data and further standardised Distribution Future Energy Scenarios

See full 2021 highlights

Open Networks case studies

To address the challenges of our energy future, the UK’s energy networks are delivering innovative technologies and solutions through ongoing projects. See below for a range of examples from the past five years.

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01

National Grid

01 Whole System Black Start

Black Start is the ability of a power system to restart itself after a full system black out. National Grid as National Electricity Transmission System Operator (NETSO) is responsible for maintaining Black Start capability and managing the process of system restoration if a black out occurs. The NETSO has explored alternative methods of Black Start from Distribution Networks that could be developed in the future. This work has involved strong collaboration between DNOs and the NETSO to assess the technical requirements of this capability, with a view to informing relevant work streams in the broader project on what would need to be done to enable such capability.

02

National Grid

02 Statement of Works Trials

Due to the significant impact of Distributed Generation in England and Wales, National Grid worked initially with WPD, UKPN and SSEN to evaluate the impacts of Distributed Generation on their respective networks.

Then, due to the increased understanding of transmission constraints, Scottish Power Distribution (SPD) were able to trial ‘Planning Limits’. Having visibility and understanding of planning limits and known transmission constraints has enabled SPD to provide a comprehensive offer detailing the transmission and distribution impacts, minimising the need for referral to the NETSO.

03

Northern Powergrid (NPg)

03 InTEGReL2

InTEGReL stands for Integrated Transport Electricity and Gas Research Laboratory and is a fully integrated whole energy system development and demonstration facility, providing a space for industry, academia, SMEs and government to explore and test new energy technologies, strategies and processes which bring transport, electricity and gas into one place. InTEGReL is led by Northern Gas Networks working with Northern Powergrid and Newcastle University, in partnership with the EPSRC Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI).

04

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

04 FREEDOM Project

A UK first demonstrator of 75 hybrid heating systems with smart management technologies within on and off-gas properties in Bridgend, south Wales. This project, in conjunction with Wales & West Utilities, is testing the ability and benefits of smart heating systems that can switch fuel sources and heating appliances through a heat service under aggregated control, depending on energy system signals and user requirements. The project outcomes will be a major contributor that will show how far we can affordably decarbonise heat using hybrid solutions.

05

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

05 Project ENTIRE

Project ENTIRE involves developing innovative new systems and contracts with commercial customers and aggregators to allow WPD to fulfil its requirements, whilst also enabling customers to use flexibility for other Demand Side Response (DSR) schemes when they are not needed by the local grid. These further services could include balancing services procured by National Grid. As part of Project ENTIRE, WPD launched its Flexible Power5 product looking to contract with approximately 100MW of demand turn down (or generation turn up) in the southern parts of its East Midlands area.

06

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

06 Constraint Managed Zones

Constraint Managed Zones (CMZ) are geographic regions served by existing networks where security of supply is met through the use of flexibility services, such as Demand Side Response, Energy Storage and stand-by generation. SSEN is considering CMZs in electrical network areas that are approaching network capacity. After completing a number of successful innovation projects, SSEN is now introducing CMZs into its everyday network operations, taking the learning it, and other industry players, have gathered for a number of years.

07

UK Power Networks (UKPN)

07 Flexibility Tenders

Flexibility Tenders Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) traditionally have invested in upgrading their network assets to accommodate the peaks of demand to meet customer needs. The capability to reduce the peaks allows DNOs to delay the investment until it becomes clear that reinforcement is required, therefore driving cost efficiencies in network investment. Building on this learning UK Power Networks issued the first public tender for flexibility services for up to 35.4MW of DSR services across ten locations and the intention is to continue to contract for flexibility services until equivalent flexibility markets are delivered by Open Networks.

08

SP Energy Networks (SPEN)

08 Active Network Management

Wide scale Active Network Management (ANM) and flexible customer arrangements are beign established across the Dumfries and Galloway network area to manage Distributed Energy Resources (DER) impacted by transmission constraints. SPEN has secured funding through the 2017 ‘Innovation Roll-out Mechanism’ scheme and this project will establish new real-time customer relationships, simultaneously monitoring and matching network capacity with local generation output for DER of all sizes. This project will provide an ideal opportunity to develop whole system technical, operational and commercial solutions between the GB System Operator, Transmission Owners and Distribution Network Owners, consistent with the key objectives of the Open Networks Project.

09

Electricity North West (ENWL)

09 Customer Load Active System Services (CLASS)

The project was run by Electricity North West and National Grid to investigate and better understand the effects on electricity demand through changing network voltage. The project demonstrated that through the deployment of voltage control equipment at DNO substations, grid transformers could be used to modify network voltage and demand and so provide frequency and voltage management services to National Grid. Importantly CLASS demonstrated that these services could be provided without compromising the customers’ quality of supply.

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01

SP Energy Networks (SPEN)

01 Good practice following connection applications

02

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

02 Whole energy system development projects

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Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

03 Alternative Approach to connection queues

04

Scottish network companies

04 Transmission Impact Assessment (TIA) process

05

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIEN)

05 Greater access to the distribution network in Northern Ireland

06

All areas of GB

06 DNOs join Piclo Flex platform

07

Electricity North West (ENWL)

07 Leading the way in community energy

08

Northern Powergrid (NPg)

08 Socially positive innovation

09

Northern Powergrid (NPg)

09 Regional Planning Programme

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Electricity North West (ENWL)

10 Distribution Future Electricity Scenarios (DFES) and regional impacts

11

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

11 Network Flexibility Map

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Western Power Distribution (WPD)

12 Flexible Power

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UK Power Networks (UKPN)

13 Flexibility First zones and Flexibility Roadmap

14

Transition, EFFS & FUSION (T.E.F.):

14 Network Innovation Competition projects

15

UK Power Networks, Western Power Distribution and National Grid ET and ESO

15 Regional Development Programmes

16

UK Power Networks, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, Western Power Distribution & National Grid ESO:

16 Boosting renewable energy to save customers 30m

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01

SP Energy Networks (SPEN)

01 Project FUSION

(NPG, SPEN, SSEN, WPD)

Creating a smart energy online platform that will allow customers to trade their electricity supply and demand capacity.

02

SP Energy Networks (SPEN)

02 Active Network Management

Enabling quicker connection in a wide-scale integrated network management zone spanning 11 grid supply points in a single coordinated platform.

03

ESB Networks (Republic of Ireland)

03 Improving connections and flexibility services

Improving connections for customers and building on Open Networks development for Flexibility services.

04

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIEN)

04 DNO to DSO Evolution

Taking a customer-centric approach to defining the evolution of the Northern Irish electricity networks.

05

Northern Powergrid (NPG)

05 Sharing scenarios as open data

Publishing Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) via the Leeds Open Data Institute.

06

Northern Powergrid (NPG)

06 Restore Flexibility

Northern Powergrid’s customer flexibility programme launched a reverse Dutch e-auction to procure flexibility from customer assets for network resilience.

07

Electricity North West (ENWL)

07 Connecting Community and Local Energy

Connecting Community and Local Energy to the system transition with a dedicated community energy manager to work with customers involved in community energy projects.

08

Electricity North West (ENWL)

08 Distribution Future Electricity Scenarios report

In December 2019 ENWL published the second annual Distribution Future Electricity Scenarios report together with a workbook of detailed regional forecasts.

09

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

09 Transition and Project LEO

Replicating and trialling aspects of DSO in Oxfordshire.

10

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

10 Resilience as a Service (RaaS) project

Supporting low-carbon solutions for maintaining network resilience.

11

UK Power Networks (UKPN)

11 Flexibility procurement

Transparency in decision-making of Flexibility procurement.

12

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

12 Cornwall LEM

Exploring flexible, smart energy solutions for the UK.

13

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

13 Flexible Power

Embedding flexibility within a DNO by providing monthly updates on the Flexibility procured for the previous month as well as flexibility requirements for the following month.

14

National Grid ESO

14 Power Responsive

Bringing together industry and energy users to stimulate increased participation in the different forms of flexible technology such as DSR and storage.

15

National Grid ESO

15 Distributed ReStart

Explores how DER in Great Britain can be used to restore power in the highly unlikely event of a total or partial blackout of the National Electricity Transmission System. Working with National Grid ESO, SP Energy Networks, and TNEI.

16

National Grid ESO

16 Power Potential

A NIC project working with UKPN, creating a new reactive power market for distributed energy resources (DERs).

A

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

A South West – ESO, WPD, NGET

Developing the most cost-effective way of enabling renewable generation to connect to the whole network.

B

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

B South East – ESO, UKPN, NGET

Maximising opportunities for further efficient deployment of distributed resources and reducing overall system costs for energy consumers.

C

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

C South West Scotland – ESO, SPEN

Developing new ways to use technology and operational methods to provide cost efficient outcomes for the renewable developments.

D

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

D Connecting Storage – ESO, WPD

Extend the flexibility arrangements given to generation so they apply for storage demand. This will enable storage projects to become part of the solution to network capacity issues rather than capacity planning standards being a potential blocker to them.

E

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

E South Coast – ESO, SSEN, NGET

Developing whole system technical solutions that facilitate efficient transmission and distribution system operation.

F

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

F Heysham GSP – ESO, ENW, NGET

Analyse the Heysham GSP and the distribution network behind it as a ‘whole system’, in order to deliver the most economic solution for GB consumers.

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01

UK DNOs collaborate to deliver Flexible Power

01

(NPG, SPEN, SSEN, WPD)

Four UK Distribution Network Operators have joined forces for the first time to provide flexibility providers with a direct path to participate in flexibility markets on multiple networks. Western Power Distribution, SP Energy Networks, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, and Northern Powergrid have announced they are collaborating on ‘Flexible Power’ – a power portal to signpost and operate all of their flexibility requirements.

02

SP Energy Networks (SPEN)

02 Project FUSION

Seeking to demonstrate the effectiveness of harnessing local flexibility markets, using a standardised market framework known as the ‘Universal Smart Energy Framework’ (USEF), to alleviate distribution network congestion issues and complement national balancing requirements within the existing regulatory framework.

03

ESB Networks (Republic of Ireland)

03

Improving connections for customers and building on Open Networks development for Flexibility services.

04

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIEN)

04 DNO to DSO Evolution

Taking a customer-centric approach to defining the evolution of the Northern Irish electricity networks.

05

Northern Powergrid (NPG)

05 Restore Flexibility

Northern Powergrid’s customer flexibility programme launched a reverse Dutch e-auction to procure flexibility from customer assets for network resilience.

06

Electricity North West (ENWL)

06

Connecting Community and Local Energy to the system transition with a dedicated community energy manager to work with customers involved in community energy projects.

07

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

07 Project LEO – Local Energy Oxfordshire

A £40m, flagship project supported by Innovate UK, helping Oxfordshire to deliver its net zero ambitions. It has nine partners from across academia, industry, local councils and community groups. The project is trialling the matching of renewable generation and demand at a local level.

08

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

08 Project TRANSITION

A £12.8m Ofgem NIC funded innovation project being led by SSE Networks with collaboration from ENWL. TRANSITION is looking at the design, development and demonstration of the common tools, data and system architecture required to implement the industry and market models for DSO produced by the ENA Open Networks Project workstreams.

09

UK Power Networks (UKPN)

09

Collaborating with organisations from all backgrounds to deliver transparency in decision making for its flexibility procurement. The company publishes complete tender information on it’s Flexibility Hub to give industries users complete visibility of its procurement process. It also hosts open Flexibility Forums twice per year to co-design products with market participants, answer questions and share insights.

10

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

10 Electricity Flexibility and Forecasting System (EFFS)

Funded through Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition (NIC), EFFS will specify, implement and trial a software system that will support the procurement, arming and dispatch of flexibility services in operational timeframes. The project is working collaboratively with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ TRANSITION project and Scottish Power Energy Networks’ FUSION project.

11

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

11 Parc Errin Project

Home heating is another key area for the future. WPD is working closely with Welsh Government and Sero on the Parc Errin development at Tonyrefail, where 250 net zero homes are being built. The network used to support this estate has already demonstrated the future for networks, with three phase service cables and monitoring of demands across the estate.

12

National Grid ESO and UK Power Networks

12 Power Potential

The Power Potential project between National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) and UK Power Networks (UKPN) is creating a new – and world-first – market for renewable energy. It’s anticipated the initiative will save energy consumers over £400m by 2050, and enable connection of up to an additional 4GW of local generation in the south east region of the UK.

13

National Grid ESO and UK Power Networks

13 N3 Intertrip

A collaboration between National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and three distribution network operators – UKPN, SSEN, and WPD – to introduce a new operational system to more efficiently manage the growing volume of distributed energy resources in the south of England, providing better visibility of the resources to ESO’s control room and boosting whole system resilience.

14

National Grid ESO and UK Power Networks

14 Distributed ReStart

The Distributed ReStart project is rethinking the electricity system’s most important back-up plan for a zero carbon future. A collaboration between National Grid ESO, SP Energy Networks and TNEI Services, the project is exploring how Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as solar, wind and hydro power can be used to restore power to the transmission network in the unlikely event of a nationwide blackout.

A

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

A South West – ESO, WPD, NGET

Developing the most cost-effective way of enabling renewable generation to connect to the whole network.

B

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

B South East – ESO, UKPN, NGET

Maximising opportunities for further efficient deployment of distributed resources and reducing overall system costs for energy consumers.

C

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

C South West Scotland – ESO, SPEN

Developing new ways to use technology and operational methods to provide cost efficient outcomes for the renewable developments.

D

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

D Connecting Storage – ESO, WPD

Extend the flexibility arrangements given to generation so they apply for storage demand. This will enable storage projects to become part of the solution to network capacity issues rather than capacity planning standards being a potential blocker to them.

E

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

E South Coast – ESO, SSEN, NGET

Developing whole system technical solutions that facilitate efficient transmission and distribution system operation.

F

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

F Heysham GSP – ESO, ENW, NGET

Analyse the Heysham GSP and the distribution network behind it as a ‘whole system’, in order to deliver the most economic solution for GB consumers.

G

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

G North of Scotland – ESO, SSEN

Developing the most efficient whole system network development to meet the load and non-load drivers in the area.

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01

UK DNOs collaborate to deliver Flexible Power

01

(NPG, SPEN, SSEN, WPD, ENWL)

Flexible Power is a joint initiative from five UK DNO’s; Western Power Distribution, Northern Powergrid, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, SP Energy Networks, and Electricity North West. By collaborating, these five DNOs are able to offer a single point of information in respect of their flexibility service requirements. 

02

SP Energy Networks (SPEN)

02 PACE

PACE is part of a strategic partnership between SP Energy Networks, Scottish Government and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. It has delivered 167 new public chargers in more than 44 locations across Lanarkshire, whilst proving the benefits of having a DNO involved in various stages of deploying public charging infrastructure.

03

SP Energy Networks (SPEN)

03 Heat-Up

Following the success of SP Energy Networks’ EV-Up tool to model electric vehicle uptake, and funded via Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance, the Heat-Up tool enables users to predict, model and understand where and when domestic heat pumps will connect to the electricity network, and the impact that will have.

04

ESB Networks (Republic of Ireland)

04

Through the National Network – Local Connections Programme, and a number of other initiatives, ESB Networks is improving connections for customers and building on Open Networks’ development for flexibility services.

05

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIEN)

05 FLEX

A Utility Regulator (UR) funded pilot demonstrating Ireland’s first local flexibility markets built on Open Networks standards and good practice. The framework design and procurement is complete, and the operation includes particular focus on TSO/DSO interactions in a small system with high renewable penetration.

06

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIEN)

06 Dynamic Capacity Allocation

Exploring dynamic assessment and allocation of capacity to distribution connected participants in non-DSO markets, securing the distribution network whilst maximising available service volumes. Evaluating access principles and their technical and commercial impacts.

07

Northern Powergrid (NPG)

07 Microresilience

Northern Powergrid launched a first-of-its-kind ‘smart grid’ pilot to trial a pioneering technology innovation that will maintain power supplies to critical infrastructure and isolated communities, futureproofing the network for a rapidly changing energy landscape. The £2.5m programme, known as Microresilience, uses energy storage systems and innovative communications technology. It’s being piloted at two key locations – Newcastle’s historic Swing Bridge, and the remote forest village of Byrness, Northumberland.

08

Electricity North West (ENWL)

08 BiTraDER project

The BiTraDER project is planned to trial options for the introduction of a bilateral flexibility trading market. Intended to launch in May 2022, it will investigate how flexibility providers can trade their position in a merit order stack determining the order in which they are asked to curtail their output at times of high demand on the network. BiTraDER could provide a benefit of £35.5 million for the North West region by 2050 and, if rolled out nationally, the benefit could reach £581 million.

09

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

09 Project LEO and TRANSITION

SSEN’s innovation projects, LEO and TRANSITION are running trials to build evidence of the technological, market and social conditions needed for a greener, more flexible, and fair electricity system. TRANSITION has begun Energy Flexibility Market Trials with LEO partners which are testing its unique Neutral Market Facilitator (NMF) platform. The NMF is linked to other technologies created by TRANSITION, including a Whole System Coordinator, Power Systems Analysis and Forecasting tools.

10

Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

10 Resilience as a Service (RaaS) project

This Network Innovation Competition (NIC) project aims to develop a market-based solution which uses services provided by an energy storage system together with local distributed energy resources to swiftly, automatically, restore power to customers in the event of a fault. This project has worked closely with National Grid “Distributed Re-start” project.

11

UK Power Networks (UKPN)

11 Open Data Portal

UK Power Networks is the first network operator in the UK to publish all its datasets via a portal covered by an internationally-recognised open data licence – meaning anyone can use them. The datasets will have Application Programming Interfaces so users can automatically connect to data sources and get live updates.

12

UK Power Networks (UKPN)

12 Shift: Dispatching flexibility

Shift is revolutionising the electric vehicle industry. In partnership with Kaluza, Octopus Energy and ev.energy, UK Power Networks developed different market mechanisms to facilitate smart charging in a way which shifts EV demand away from periods of peak use. In 2021, the first commercial dispatch instructions were issued for ev.energy to reduce electricity demand by managing EV charging.

13

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

13 EQUINOX

The first Network Innovation Competition (NIC) project dedicated to addressing the challenges DNOs face with the electrification of heat and seeking viable domestic flexibility solutions in order to meet the ambition of 600,000 heat pump installations in the UK by 2028. EQUINOX is exploring three novel commercial methods designed to maximise participation in flexibility services, exploring a combination of upfront flexibility payments and dynamic price signals that incentivise customers to flex their energy use.

14

Western Power Distribution (WPD)

14 Distribution Network Options Assessment (DNOA)

A first for WPD, the DNOA aims to provide market participants with the maximum amount of transparency possible. It provides more detail, setting out to give clear indications and legitimacy to the market by showing WPD’s thinking about flexibility decisions. As a result, the DNOA shows the areas where WPD expects constraints and how it will manage those constraints through flexibility, reinforcement or a combination of the two.

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National Grid ESO and SPEN

15 Distributed ReStart project

A joint ESO/SPEN project which explores how distributed energy resources (DER) such as solar, wind and hydro, can be used to restore power to the transmission network in the unlikely event of a blackout. The project is currently running trials and will finish at the end of June 2022. During Autumn 2021, a small hydroelectric generator was able to energise a dead transmission in Southwest Scotland and proved it is possible to restart the transmission network from a distributed energy source – a world first.

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

RDPs are collaborative projects that are developing and delivering co-ordinated flexibility markets. The ESO is working closely with UKPN and WPD to develop two MW dispatch projects. These projects will see the development of DER flexibility markets to manage flows on the transmission grid. During 2021 we have assembled joint project teams and engaged with providers to develop arrangements that will work for them. These are now being developed into new IT systems with go lives anticipated from 2022.

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ENA member projects

Our individual members have a wide range of ongoing projects they lead, often with the input and support from other members, academic institutions and wider industry, throughout the UK.

Regional Development Programmes (RDPs)

RDPs are collaborative projects led between ENA members, and led by National Grid ESO, that are developing and delivering co-ordinated flexibility markets.

Electricity and your home

Our plans will reduce carbon emissions from Britain’s homes and aims to save consumers money in the long term. Click on the elements in the house to see our plans.

Open Networks house graphic Open Networks house graphic mobile version
Boilers

Boilers

From 2035 all new heating systems must be heat pumps, hydrogen-ready boilers or similarly low-carbon systems. The UK’s electricity and gas suppliers are working together to provide solutions that best suit customers.

Costs

Costs

The next big step for both Open Networks and industry is harnessing the power of residential flexibility through EVs, heat pumps and other domestic smart technologies – delivering direct benefits to customers across the country. We have seen an increase in market liquidity of nearly 40% in the past two years in local flexibility markets, driving more competitive outcomes with customers benefitting from more cost-efficient solutions – and this is set to increase.

Electricity in your home

Electricity in your home

All of Britain’s electricity will come from renewable sources by 2035. Taking all electricity from green sources would be a significant step towards the UK’s ambition to hit net zero emissions by 2050. Renewable energy sources generated 43 per cent of Britain’s electricity needs last year, and the energy networks are aiming to increase this figure even more this year.

Innovative solutions

Innovative solutions

As demand patterns shift as a result of new technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, and more local renewable power is connected, network operators will play a more active role in managing and operating their networks, allowing them to address periods of high and low demand and power outages more efficiently, including paying customers to help support the networks with their flexible solutions.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is Open Networks?

    The Open Networks programme has brought together the nine electricity grid operators in the UK and Ireland to work together to standardise customer experiences and align processes to make connecting to the networks as easy as possible and bring record amounts of renewable distributed energy resources, like wind and solar panels, to the local electricity grid.

  • What is the purpose of the programme?

    New smart technologies are challenging the traditional way we generate, consume and manage electricity, and the energy networks are making sure that these changes benefit everyone.

    We’re helping transition to a smart, flexible system that connects large-scale energy generation right down to the solar panels and electric vehicles installed in homes, businesses and communities right across the country. This is often referred to as the smart grid. 

  • What are the areas of focus?

    We have created six workstreams under Open Networks to progress the delivery of the smart grid. Each year, the project produces a forward work plan (2022’s is available on ENA’s website) to set out the priories and direction. The project’s work areas are below:

  • How can I get involved?

    We want to bring the project to the industry, making sure to get as much input as possible to build an all-inclusive energy system.

    • Public consultations: Each year we identify a range of high priority items based on your feedback and consult the whole industry for views on these developments. This feedback is incredibly important and we seek and welcome responses from across the industry, in whatever format and level of detail. If you would like to keep up to date on our latest consultations sign up to our mailing list.
    • Dissemination Forum: To help guide the work of the programme, a Dissemination Forum will be run quarterly in 2022 for anyone to join. It is being created to give stakeholders the opportunity to engage broadly with Open Networks, stay up to date with the latest developments and to provide input into it. This forum will cover all areas of work across the programme. We welcome all interested parties to join this forum, and you can sign up via our online form.
    • Challenge Group: This group is made up of more than 20 elected industry representatives with a wide range of experience who to help shape the direction and outputs of the programme. Challenge Group representatives represent their sector and you can provide input through them. The group meets every other month, and the full list of reps is available on ENA’s website.
    • Public events and workshops: We host a series of public events, webinars, panel events and roundtables throughout the year to complement our consultations or specific items of work, all of which help steer the development of Open Networks products and deliverables. These are listed on our Events

The transition to a smarter and more flexible energy system is an opportunity. It will be delivered by UK businesses and will benefit consumers across the country. It will reduce the costs of our system by up to £10bn a year by 2050, by reducing the amount of generation and network we need to build to meet peak demand. It will create jobs, perhaps 24,000 by 2050, and drive investment across the UK.

UK Government’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan

Our participating members

BU UK Infrastructure logo Electricity North West logo ESB Networks logo National Grid ESO logo National Grid logo Northern Ireland Electricity Networks logo Northern Powergrid logo Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks logo SP Energy Networks logo UK Power Networks logo