UK Power Networks (UKPN) has launched a new competition for flexibility on Energy tech start-up Piclo Flex.
The network is looking for 170MW of flexibility requirements, across 115 areas on its network. This includes 21.9MW of demand turn-down on Carnaby Street in London, for flexibility assets connected at 11kV or below. The contract will be for both summer and winter over seven years.
UKPN is also seeking flexibility in Hoxton Square in London, looking for providers that are connected to the 400V network in that area to provide up to 250kW of demand-turn down services.
Sotiris Georgiopoulos the head of smart grid development at UKPN said that “flexibility is the future.”
“So we are leading an open, transparent and accountable new market for distributed energy resources to unlock a wealth of opportunities for our customers.
“This week’s 2020 tender release, the biggest ever, shows we are pushing the boundaries to create these benefits for distribution network customers. That is why it extends the reach to 170MW total capacity requirement, including a UK-first 60 low voltage zones.
“The UK is a world-leader in Smart Grid technology and flexibility has a key role to play as we move towards a decarbonised, decentralised, digitised network.”
Hoxton Square is one of 60 low voltage areas uploaded this week onto Piclo’s flexibility marketplace.
Piclo Flex said: “We are very excited to support UK Power Networks on their ambitious plans for flexibility. The increase in both scale and scope of requirements is clearly demonstrating that DSO flexibility markets are beginning to find their feet. This is also reflected in the number of Flex Providers that have registered on Piclo. We now have over 250 companies signed up to take part in flexibility markets and more joining every week.”
UKPN was the first company to commercially use Piclo Flex to procure 18.1MW of flexibility in July following years of development. Contracts worth £450,000 were awarded at the time, to AMP Clean Energy, Limejump, Powervault and Moixa. The flexibility company has continued to expand its network, entering into a commercial partnership with Western Power Distribution and signing a “milestone” commercial agreement with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.