EXCLUSIVE by Scottish Energy News
The UK National Grid and Community Energy Scotland are in discussions with regard to potential opportunities for small-scale renewable energy generators.
In their talks, the grid company (which operates across Scotland, Wales and England) accepted that that community energy projects are uniquely able to deliver consumer action at a local level, while CES underlined the appetite of its community generator members for innovation – both technically and with new business models.
A CES spokesman said: “National Grid recognises that existing regulations make it difficult for smaller generators to participate in some of the grid balancing schemes that are potential sources of revenue.
“Their importance for community energy developments will grow as the value of the Feed-in Tariff stalls and the export price of electricity remains volatile.”
CES have also asked National Grid to share data about where in Scotland the transmission grid infrastructure (high voltage cables, transformers etc) is relatively close to full capacity.
The spokesman added: “This would help us identify which of our members are in these locations can offer grid balancing services – and tap into a new revenue stream to boost the community benefit. National Grid is open to the idea of working with communities in this way.”
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