After what could be described as the ‘renewables revolution’ in de-carbonising electricity generation, the industry is now facing a ‘flexibility revolution’.
Scotland is on track to meet the Scot-Govt target of 100% electricity to be generated from renewable technologies by 2020. Almost 80% is already produced, the last coal station has now closed and almost 30% of electricity generation is exported to England.
This means that instead of the traditional, pre-privatisation ‘predict and generate’ model for electricity supply, power companies and grid operators will have to change to providing a customer-led energy system in which network users who operate Distributed Energy Resources (DER) can trade local energy and flexibility with ease.
Distributed electricity generation, electric vehicles, demand side response and energy storage are transforming the traditiona; energy system, giving customers access to new products and services from a new range of providers.
This is likely to result in a ‘modern’ new ‘grid’ which looks like the above model produced for discussion by SSEN.
Colin Nicol, Managing Director, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, commented: “As well as expecting efficient and reliable energy supplies, domestic customers, businesses and communities want more from their energy systems, seeking choice over where they source, produce and store their energy and the markets in which they sell it.
“Cost is paramount and the transition must be efficient, so it will be important to evolve the market framework in a way that doesn’t result in unintended consequences, such as some groups falling behind through no fault of their own.”
29 Nov 2017
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