What is Power Responsive and why do we need it?

Power Responsive is a stakeholder-led programme, facilitated by National Grid ESO, to stimulate increased participation in the different forms of flexible technology, such as Demand Side Response (DSR), storage, and distributed generation.

It brings together industry and energy users, to work together in a co-ordinated way. A key priority is to grow participation in demand side flexibility, making it easier for non-traditional providers to get involved and to realise financial and carbon-cutting benefits, whilst supporting ESO operation and our journey to net-zero.

Objectives of Power Responsive

The Power Responsive objectives are to raise awareness of the demand side proposition by hosting regular events, online webinars and publishing regular communications whilst aiming to remove barriers to entry by working closely with stakeholders to understand, influence and support evolving market developments.

We’ve also put together case studies across various industries to showcase the benefits.

We chair a Power Responsive steering group with 20-30 senior members of the energy industry. This includes BEIS, Ofgem, energy suppliers and aggregators. We sit down once a quarter to discuss a new topic. The goal of the meeting is to make sure our direction is accurate and relevant. If we need to change direction after the steering group, we take that back and change things.

What is Demand Side Response?

Demand Side Response simply involves businesses increasing, decreasing, or shifting their electricity use – in response to a signal – to help balance Britain’s electricity system. In return they receive strong financial incentives, lower their bills, reduce their carbon footprint and play an important role in the transition to a low carbon energy system.

Participating in DSR makes perfect sense for any business that is serious about being environmentally responsible.

Why is DSR important for the GB energy system?

With more renewable generation coming online, we’re seeing a requirement for increased system flexibility to balance the system, along with changes in where we can source flexibility and capacity.

We believe that DSR and other forms of flexible technology, such as storage, can help to provide the capacity and flexibility needed to operate the electricity system as travel the path to zero carbon.

While this new reality creates challenges in operating the grid, it provides exciting opportunities.

Power Responsive aims to make sure there is a level playing field for both supply side and demand side solutions in Britain’s energy markets – and to help businesses take full advantage of these opportunities.

Stakeholder engagement

We work to engage with the industry. In normal times we hold a large event in London but as that was impossible this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we hosted a number of summer insight podcasts.

We also send updates on market activity to over 1,000 on market side projects such as Dynamic Containment and ODFM.

At present we’re working on an innovation project relating to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) with Nissan and ICL.

It’s vital that we continue to innovate as we operate a safe, secure and forward-thinking energy system.

Read more about Power Responsive