- Back
- Who we are
- COP26
- Electricity explained
- Future of energy
-
Industry information
- Back
- Home
- Industry information
- Connections
- Balancing Services
-
Charging
- Back
- Industry information
- Charging
- Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) charges
- Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges
- Assistance for Areas with High Electricity Distribution Costs (AAHEDC)
- Connection charges
- Charging guidance
- Charging policy developments
- Charging statements
- Submit a charging query
-
Codes Homepage
- Back
- Industry information
- Codes Homepage
- Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC)
- Grid Code (GC)
- System Operator Transmission Owner Code
- Security and Quality of Supply Standard (SQSS)
- Balancing Settlement Code (BSC)
- European Network Codes (ENC)
- Codes calendar
- Code changes: Beginner's Guide
- About the Codes Team
-
Industry Data and Reports
- Back
- Industry information
- Industry Data and Reports
- System Incidents Report
- Balancing services performance monitoring report
- Data finder and explorer
- Forecast volumes and costs
- GB Electricity System Operator Daily Reports
- System balancing reports
- Monthly transmission loss data (4l)
- System constraints
- Voltage costs
- Keeping the lights on throughout coronavirus
- Accelerated Loss of Mains applications
- Our consultation responses
- Our strategy
-
Research & publications
- Back
- Home
- Research & publications
- Future Energy Scenarios (FES)
- Network Options Assessment (NOA)
- Electricity Ten Year Statement (ETYS)
- Markets Roadmap to 2025
- Summer Outlook
- Winter Outlook
- Whole electricity system
- System Operability Framework (SOF)
- Future of balancing services
- Regional Development Programmes
- Transmission performance reports
ESO
Reserve services
Please note: Given the challenges posed by COVID-19 we will be constantly reviewing our plans and several projects may be impacted. Click here to find out more.
At certain times of the day, we need access to sources of extra power in the form of either increased generation or demand reduction. This enables us to manage a greater than forecast electricity demand on Britain's transmission system. These additional power sources available to us are called 'reserve services'.
Different sources need different timescales in order to be ready to deliver the required service. In this section, we list reserve services according to their timescales (shortest timescales first):
