Gridimp Approved Provider - Demand Flexibility Service - Winter 2023 to 2024

Gridimp are leading the way in delivering smart energy and are transforming businesses into smart flexible low carbon consumers.

ESO (National Grid) Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), launched last winter, is continuing over the 2023 - 2024 winter.  If you haven't already joined us, it's a great way to start participating in the smart network, bringing revenue for using less electricity at certain times of day and supporting the UKs network. 

As an Approved ESO Provider we are recruiting new businesses that can bring flexibility to the program for winter 2023-2024. 

New Participants To This Service

If you are interested in providing flexibility and haven't already signed up, you can do so by:

1. Completing the sign up form which you can do here

2. Provide us with consent to access your half hourly data, which we require to registers you on the scheme

3. Provide your bank and payment details so we can send you any money due

Below is a summary of how this years programme will work. 

How This Years Scheme Will Work

  

1. We will send you an email the day before an event, telling you the times you will need to turn down your electrical use. 

2. You will need to 'opt in' to confirm you want to participate in an event before the event is due to take place.

3. Turn down you electrical use during the event times.  If you don't have Gridimp technology installed you will need to turn down your electricity use manually. If you do Gridimp can automate this process for you.

4. We verify with ESO the volume of electricity you turned down. 

5. You receive a cash payment for the volume of turn down you provide. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) Programme? 

The programme is designed to encourage a reduction in electrical use at certain times of the day, to help manage the UKs electrical network . 

The programme is running from 30th October 2023 to the end of March 2024 and there will be a minimum of 12 test events during that period.  The first 6 test events will pay participants £3,000 per MWh, with the following 6 being paid by competitive tendering.  All additional 'live' will be paid by competitive tendering.

Why was DFS launched? 

DFS was launched to improve the security of the UK electrical network, ensuring there is enough electricity to meet demand when the ESO is under pressure, typically during peak demand periods.  

Who monitors the scheme? 

The scheme is administered by the ESO.  You can find out more about the scheme here. 

Can Businesses take part?

Yes the scheme is open to all businesses but they must: 

• - Have half hourly electricity meter data which can be shared with us.
• - Be able to turn down 'typical' electrical use during an event when requested by ESO.
• - Not be participating in ancillary services, capacity market or the balancing mechanism.

Please contact us if you require any further information. 

How can businesses use less electricity during an event?

You can use less electricity during an event by: 

• - Turning off plant that is typically running 
• - Turning on any generation technology you have
• - Using energy stored in technologies such as batteries 

How much could I earn? 

The scheme will hold 12 test events.  The first 6 of these test events will pay £3,000 per MWh of electricity turned down during an event, with the remaining 6 test events being paid by competitive tendering. 

Any live DFS events will be paid by competitive tendering, which could be higher than £3,000 per MWh if the ESO is under more pressure, for example due to a particularly cold period.

We will send you cash for the volume of electricity you turn during each event, minus our fee for aggregation / settlement services and for administering your participation in the scheme.  If you have Gridimp technology installed this service will be covered by your existing terms and conditions. 

How many DFS Events will there be? 

We don't know exactly how many events there will be, but ESO have committed to requesting at least 12 test events during the scheme.  There may be more if we have a cold winter. We encourage you to join up and participate as early as possible to maximise the number of sessions you can take part in. 

How will we know when an event will take place?

We will email you the day before an event is due to take place with the scheduled times. 

Do I have to participate in each event? 

No - you don't need to participate in every event.  We will send you an email before an event is due to take place asking you to 'opt in' to participate.  If you 'opt in' but aren't able to participate during the actual event you won't be penalised, you simply won't be paid.  We encourage you to opt in and take part in as many events as possible.  

How do Gridimp access half hourly mains meter data?

We need access to automatically fetch your half-hourly fiscal meter data via FTP as CSV files.  This can be arranged by your meter operator / data aggregator.  All commercial energy users with half hourly meters will have an operator / aggregator. 

Why do you need access to half hourly mains meter data? 

Having access to half hourly mains meter data is a contractual requirement of DFS.  As an independent provider of energy flexibility, we can support multiple businesses and help them access the scheme regardless of whether or not their energy supplier is taking part.

Do Gridimp calculate our typical electrical use? 

Yes, Gridimp will calculate your typical energy use during a given period in line with the scheme requirements.