EV chargepoint management platform Fuuse has launched a scheme allowing businesses to use their charging assets in a bid to protect the UK’s energy supply this winter as the energy crisis intensifies.
In a bid to relieve pressure on the UK’s energy grid, in response to National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), Fuuse users who sign up to the scheme will be financially incentivised to turn down their vehicle charging during peak times.
Revealed within its 2022 winter strategy, National Grid ESO is taking an approach of preserving demand with the inclusion of the DFS. This service has been rapidly designed and developed, and will be contracted to run for an initial period of November 2022 to March 2023. Those taking part will be given 24 hours to react to signals from the operator.
Demand response events are expected to happen mainly between the hours of 8am and 10am, and 4pm and 8pm, and could occur any day of the week, Fuuse explained.
All participants will be notified via email the day prior to an event, with the Fuuse platform set to automatically handle the appropriate EV charging response.
“With the UK potentially facing the first planned power cuts in decades, it is imperative that everyone who can play their part in helping to keep Britain moving supports the scheme,” said Gary Highton, head of energy services at Fuuse.
“As a business with the innovative solutions and tools in place to facilitate demand response needed for the new Demand Flexibility Service, it is our responsibility to get as many organisations on board as possible.
“By enabling our customers to turn down their EV charging during peak demand via the Fuuse platform, we can not only ensure businesses generate revenue from the scheme but facilitate their social responsibilities at a time of unprecedented crisis.”
Similar to Fuuse, Flexitricity will provide market access to National Grid’s winter DFS in order to support businesses amid the energy crisis.
In allowing market access, businesses will be able to offset costs by reducing energy consumption during high-stress periods. This includes the evening peak and the morning peak when electricity consumption rises quickly and can cause issues with demand moving into the winter months.
The DFS initiative has previously been trialled together with Octopus Energy amongst others. Earlier in September, a number of suppliers weighed in on the ESO’s consultation on the DFS.
There is concern that the low level of incentive offered to consumers as part of the DFS may reduce its effectiveness, with too few customers choosing to be part of the scheme.
