Electricity North West has accelerated its flexibility procurement by publishing a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) [1] on Piclo Flex, an independent online marketplace for trading flexibility.
Flexibility will be crucial for achieving net zero and its procurement is a key step in the transition to Distribution System Operation. Since 2018, Electricity North West has tendered for over 70MW of flexibility services across the North West of England.
The launch of the DPS signals a new commercial partnership between Piclo and Electricity North West, highlighting the network’s intention to launch its seventh set of flexibility competitions later this year on Piclo Flex.
The announcement means Electricity North West will become the fifth network operator to partner with Piclo. By opting to use a DPS, Electricity North West will enhance the engagement process for Flex Providers, reduce administrative barriers and enable competition results to be announced quicker.
James Johnston, CEO and co-founder of Piclo
This stride forward by Electricity North West shows the tide is turning in favour of streamlined, transparent flexibility procurement and we are delighted to be collaborating with ENWL in enabling their ambitions.
Flexibility is the future and we are proud of the role Piclo is playing in enabling a smart, flexible and resilient energy system.
We look forward to our ongoing partnership with Electricity North West and encourage Flex Providers to engage, apply to the Dynamic Purchasing System and upload their assets early.”
Lois Clark, DSO Commercial Manager at Electricity North West
“This partnership demonstrates a key step in our ongoing investment in the key enablers of our people, technology, data and business capabilities that will help these markets to mature, providing greater visibility of network needs and simplifying coordination between all parties.
We are committed to simplifying our approach to flexibility to encourage participation and facilitate our journey to net zero carbon in the North West and are excited to be working with Piclo to help us achieve these goals.”
For further information, please contact:
Gemma Stanley, Policy and Communications Manager, Piclo
Lois Clark, DSO Commercial Manager, Electricity North West
Notes:
[1] Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) - A Dynamic Purchasing System is a completely electronic and automated method of company qualification, simplifying the process by which System Operators pre-qualify Flex Provider companies to take part in flexibility competitions
About Electricity North West
Electricity North West is one of 14 distribution network operators in the UK regulated by Ofgem. It operates the local electricity network and distributes electricity, mainly from the National Grid, to 2.4 million homes and businesses in the North West of England.
It is responsible for maintaining and upgrading 13,000 km of overhead power lines and more than 44,000 km of underground electricity cables and much more.
Their network in the North West of England is one of the most reliable in the country and we are investing £1.9bn by 2023 to ensure we continue to deliver an excellent, safe and affordable service to all our customers.
Piclo’s mission is to decarbonise the grid. We develop software solutions that make our energy networks smarter, flexible and more sustainable. Our flagship product, Piclo Flex is the leading independent marketplace for energy flexibility services, enabling system operators (such as the ESO, UKPN and a growing number internationally) to source energy flexibility from flexible service providers (e.g. electric vehicles) during times of high demand or low supply. As of 2022, Piclo Flex has 55,000 registered flexible assets representing 16.6 GW of flex capacity, with flexibility contracts awarded totalling £58m and 1.1 GW+ of flexible capacity procured.
Piclo currently provides flexibility services in six global markets: in the UK, supporting three Distribution System Operators (UK Power Networks, SP Energy Networks, Electricity North West); and the Transmission System Operator (TSO) (The ESO); in Ireland (ESB Networks); in Italy (E-Distribuzione), Portugal (E-REDES), Lithuania (Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius AB (ESO)), and in the United States in New York State (National Grid). Aside from its leading position in the UK, Piclo has a growing presence in Europe and the USA.
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Register on Piclo Flex here: picloflex.com