ENA, Elexon, NESO and the OpenADR Alliance have signed a letter of intent to collaborate and further develop an internationally accepted standard, called OpenADR 3.0. The new standard will be used for interoperable flexibility dispatch systems in the GB flexibility market.
Leading up to the conclusion of the Open Networks programme later this year, the letter reaffirms ENA’s commitment to removing barriers to accessing flexibility markets, collaborating with stakeholders and improving interoperability.
Designing a smart energy grid
Flexibility is all about changing where or when electricity is consumed or generated. OpenADR 3.0 aims to ensure that any individual who makes temporary changes to the way they use energy, also known as a flexibility service provider, will experience a consistent process, no matter the network operator.
As we move towards a fully flexible energy system, different technologies need to work together seamlessly. OpenADR 3.0 is a common standardised language that can be used to turn devices off during high levels of energy demand or can turn devices on during periods of high renewable generation, and modulate output as required for either scenario.
Dr Avi Aithal, Head of Open Networks at ENA, explains:
“The letter of intent is a strong statement from ENA and the signatories that we will continue to work together to deliver a wider and more holistic whole-of-dispatch standard. This encompasses the Application Programming Interface (API) and the assumptions of the supporting infrastructure and standard architecture.”
With a growing emphasis on creating a smarter energy grid, network operators deploying a consistent and interoperable solution represents a significant step forward. This project is focused on using OpenADR 3.0 to standardise the dispatch instructions in the GB flexibility market between all network operators and flexibility service provider assets.
Steven Gough, Head of Flexibility at Elexon, said:
“To achieve the growth levels in the provision of flexibility needed to meet Clean Power 2030, we need to provide a simple, standardised process for flexibility service providers to offer their services, across a range of DSO and NESO markets. The new API standard will help to achieve this goal, as system operators will use it to provide dispatch instructions to providers in a standard interoperable format, applicable across diverse flexibility markets.”
Commenting on the practical benefits of standardisation, Rolf Bienert, Managing Director at OpenADR Alliance, said:
“Scalability is a key component to make our energy grid reliable, safe, and effective in the future. The use of standards is greatly supporting this in many aspects. Therefore we are excited to take part in this collaboration to use the OpenADR 3.0 standard to develop the flexibility systems in the GB market and beyond.”
Joseph Stepney, Head of Strategy and Architecture, NESO, said:
"NESO looks forward to working closely with ENA, Elexon and OpenADR Alliance to deliver greater interoperability opportunities for market participants by developing standards for data sharing for the dispatch of flexibility services."
What’s next for networks
In addition to improving interoperability, ENA is committed to aligning local and national flexibility markets. This has been a key component of the programme and will be included in the transition of the Open Networks initiative to Elexon, the new market facilitator.
The Open Networks programme team works closely with Elexon to support their transition into the role. The has just been published, with a webinar planned for the 2 of April.
ENA will formally conclude the Open Networks programme in July this year and host a webinar to mark the achievements of the programme and inform stakeholders of what is happening next.
Since 2017, the Open Networks programme has successfully facilitated the transition to Distribution System Operation (DSO) and established the local flexibility market as business-as-usual. The programme offers resources to new and existing flexibility service providers to aid them in participating in their local flexibility market.
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About us
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the energy networks. Our members include every major electricity network operator in the UK. The electricity networks are at the heart of the energy transition. They directly employ more than 26,000 people in the UK, including 1,500 apprentices. They are spending and investing £33bn in our electricity grids over the coming years, to ensure safe, reliable and secure energy supplies for the millions of homes and businesses reliant on power every day.
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