The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) has launched a compliance scheme to help industry and  business develop a ‘smart’ energy startegy. The Flex Assure scheme (and its Code of Conduct), will help businesses to compare the different services offered by ‘aggregators’ – organisations that give businesses access to power flexibility markets.

Flex Assure aims to ensure greater transparency and business confidence in this rapidly developing market.

The voluntary membership scheme is open to all demand side response (DSR) aggregators and licensed energy suppliers offering DSR services. It sets common standards across the industry, making it easier for industrial and commercial customers to access the revenue these new energy services can provide.

John Bryant, director of business development at ADE, said “The aggregators who are participating in Flex Assure are highlighting to their customers, and potential customers, that they are committed to meeting the high standards set by the scheme.”

Seven DSR aggregators have so far applied to join Flex Assure: Centrica Business Solutions, Enel X, ENGIE, Flexitricity, GridBeyond, Kiwi Power and nPower Business Solutions.

The launch of the scheme follows nearly two years of development and consultation with industry leaders, business energy users, and regulators. The scheme will be overseen by an independent committee, which will also adjudicate customer complaints and provide public notifications if any company is in breach. Initially, Flex Assure will apply to commercial, industrial and public sector energy users. 

Flex Assure is supported by the Major Energy Users Council (MEUC) and Make UK (formerly the EEF).

Seamus Nevin, chief economist at Make UK said: “Make UK welcomes the Flex Assure quality assurance mark for Demand Side Response. Manufacturers are contacted by many different aggregators and are sometimes unable to assess the quality of what they are being offered. The Flex Assure DSR code of conduct provides certainty and increases trust in the market.”