Opus One Solutions has been awarded a project by SP Energy Networks (SPEN) to help demonstrate the benefits of local demand-side flexibility.
The company will develop and deploy a system that will encourage consumers to provide flexibility that can help SPEN manage the network. The Universal Smart Energy Framework will be used as the base, and the system will focus on transparency and standardisation.
This system will be used as part of a market trial programme in St. Andrews and East Fife in Scotland over the next three years.
As SPEN looks to transition from a DSO to a DNO, local flexibility markets can provide a cost-effective tool to help balance the grid, minimising grid upgrades by utilising the flexibility already within the network.
“Today’s power grid is facing new demands and challenges. A reliable and resilient power grid is the cornerstone of a sustainable society. We are thrilled to lead a project with SPEN to help build and track a more resilient power grid,” said Hari Suthan, chief of strategic growth & sales, Opus One Solutions.
“This project offers a one-of-a-kind solution that is imperative to move energy networks to an electric future to help the UK achieve its net zero goals.”
The project will form part of SPEN’s broader digitalisation strategy, which also includes Project FUSION. Launched in December 2019, FUSION focuses on open data, improved monitoring and capacity management issues through smart solutions
“This project with Opus One is an exciting milestone in Project FUSION as we trial innovative flexibility solutions that speeds up our response time and helps add value to our customers by accelerating connections and deferring costly reinforcements,” said Michael Green, senior innovation engineer at SP Energy Networks.
The project announcement follows fellow DNO Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) awarding Opus One Solutions a contract to develop and deploy solutions to test different flexibility market models in November 2020. This includes Opus One developing a Neutral Market Facilitator platform, which will allow buyers and sellers of flexible electricity assets to register requirements and capabilities.
