Western Power Distribution has launched IntraFlex, a new innovation project with NODES and Smart Grid Consultancy. It will start with stakeholder engagement aimed at validating the market design and ensuring its value to the UK electricity system.
Funded via a Network Innovation Allowance the two-year project will deploy the NODES platform to create a flexibility market operating close to real time for WPD. It will allow providers to offer flexibility in the day-ahead and intra-day timeframes.
The focus of the trial is to understand how to deliver a link between DNO procurement and balance-responsible party (BRP) imbalance positions. It will trial a short-term marketplace for DNO flexibilty and an active rebalancing link to the intraday market operated by Nord Pool, as well as an information exchange with day-ahead markets. This should lower supplier exposure to imbalance costs and reduce the cost of providing flexibility.
The project will utilise a market platform designed and operated by NODES and piloted in other European trials. NODES is an independent marketplace where grid owners, producers and consumers of energy can trade decentralised flexibility and energy. It is owned by Nord Pool and the energy company Agder Energi.
“This trial will help us to better understand the impact that calling flexibility will have on energy suppliers when we establish a flexibility market that operates close to real-time. Utilising the NODES platform will allow for new flexibility providers to offer their services confidently in the market,” said Ben Godfrey, WPD network strategy manager.
Read more about the NIA project here
Further reading
OPINION: Use trading platforms to share capacity and flexibility and drive decarbonisation
Beware a fixed approach to flexibility
Brixton block to trial offer of flexibility services to distribution network
Speed up new markets, networks told, as BEIS and Ofgem look for ‘tangible changes’
Nord Pool seeks GB flex providers to help develop flexibility market platform