Open Networks

About Open Networks

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. 

The Open Networks programme is ENA’s strategic initiative that brings together all electricity network companies, the Electricity System Operator (ESO), the government, the regulator, and the wider industry to lead the UK’s transition to a smart, flexible energy system ready for net zero. 

Open Networks is dedicated to expanding the UK’s local energy flexibility market so we can make the most of our electricity grid while bringing people and businesses along on the net zero journey. Driven by the government’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan and supported by Ofgem, we are working to make the energy flexibility market easier to take part in, more coordinated, and more transparent. To ensure all voices are heard, we test our work with independent experts, stakeholder forums, and through webinars and open consultations. 

Access all Open Networks publications on our publications page. When citing ENA’s research and reports, please provide a link back to the original publications on our website.

Areas of focus and impact

Open Networks has a strong focus on increasing participation and volume in the local flexibility market while increasing transparency of network planning and decision-making and making energy networks more coordinated and aligned. 

We focus on measurable outcomes with a clear impact for stakeholders and the flexibility market.

Here’s what we’re working on now, and what you can expect from the programme in the near future:

Click here to view an accessible version of the future of the programme

Implementation of Open Networks recommendations by energy networks 

In 2023, all UK electricity networks gave signatures to restate their commitment to implementing Open Networks’ recommendations for the current work areas to ensure best value for market participants. 

Operating energy networks is different across the country, with unique needs, risks, and challenges. In the table below, you can see when each network has implemented a particular outcome from Open Networks. 

Several of these are incremental developments and improvements to standards previously aligned on, such as previous versions of the standard agreement and carbon reporting methodology. Where the latest standard is still in the process of being implemented, networks may be using a previous version of an aligned standard.

Last updated: September 2024

• How to get involved

  Stakeholder engagement and collaboration with the wider industry have always been at the heart of the Open Networks programme. Our governance includes an industry Challenge Group, regular Insights Forums open to all, and focus groups for stakeholders to feed into the development of key work areas. 

  Insights Forum 

  Insights Forums are an online event for anyone to join. It gives stakeholders the opportunity to engage broadly with Open Networks, stay up to date with the latest developments and to provide input and feedback. 
   
  Keep an eye on the ENA events page or sign up to our newsletter to be notified of the next Forum.  

  Challenge Group 
   
  Our Challenge Group has representation from experts across industry and usually runs monthly, providing strategic direction to the programme and offering an official challenge function to the programme on behalf of industry.  

  If you would like to know more about this group, do get in touch with the Open Networks team. 

  Public events 

  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 work areas. These are listed on our events page.

• Past achievements of the Open Networks Programme

  Launched in 2017, ENA’s 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 and the transition to Distribution System Operation (DSO). Open Networks has been key to enabling the delivery of this transition by: 

  • Opening local flexibility markets to demand response, renewable energy and new low-carbon technology and removing barriers to participation. 
  • Providing opportunities for these flexible resources to connect to our networks faster. 
  • Opening data to allow these flexible resources to identify the best locations to invest. 
  • Delivering efficiencies between the network companies to plan and operate secure efficient networks. 

  Since its inception, Open Networks has played a pivotal role in supporting the move towards net zero by enabling local flexibility markets and implementing the processes required to support them. 

  Learn more about the programme’s achievements throughout the years: 

  • 5 years ON 
  • 2022 in review 
  • 2021 in review 
  • 2020 in review 
  • Open Networks 2017 - 2022 archive

  Access all Open Networks publications on our publications page. When citing ENA’s research and reports, please provide a link back to the original publications on our website.