04/03/2020
30/04/2019
04/03/2020
Objectives completed
We continued to engage with connections stakeholders and gave them opportunities to help shape and inform our DSO transition plans.
We invited almost 200 customers to take part in a flexibility trial.
30/04/2019
Our DSO transition
Action
We will continue to engage with stakeholders as we transition to a DSO.
The Outcome
Stakeholders will be involved as we transition to a DSO. They will be able to inform our strategy and approach and be kept informed about opportunities arising, including the provision of flexibility services.
Target Measure
Two dedicated engagement sessions held in the 2019/20 ICE plan year. Stakeholders will have opportunities to provide feedback and help shape our DSO transition plans.
Voltage
LV
HV
EHV
RAG Status
Market Segments
M
U
DG
ICP
We continued to engage with stakeholders as we transition to a Distribution Systems Operator (DSO).
As a DNO, we already play a central role in enabling a low carbon energy system by making connections to wind and solar power generation.
However, as we continue on our journey towards becoming a DSO, our role and responsibilities will change and it is important that we transition openly and transparently and in dialogue with our customers and wider stakeholder groups.
To ensure we are keeping our connections stakeholders informed, we held a number of engagement events during the year. We provided updates on our DSO and flexibility strategies at our Connections Customer Forums and at our DG Owner Operator forum. DSO was also a key theme at our Stakeholder Summit and we have used our social media channels to engage with an estimated 5,000 customers on this topic.
Our DSO development plan V1.1 was published at the end of 2019 and we hosted a webinar shortly afterwards, inviting our connections customers and stakeholders to take part. This strategy – as with versions before it – has been shaped and informed by stakeholder feedback.
A significant step forward came towards the end of last year, when we identified almost 200 customers with significant assets, sited at seven key locations on our network and invited them to take part in a trial where they would be asked to flex their energy usage, in return for financial incentives.
Whist we now offer flexible connections solutions like Active Network Management as business as usual, this is the first time we have sought to enter into contracted flexibility arrangements with our customers.
Our flexibility trial provided us with a unique opportunity to make customers and stakeholders aware of some of the opportunities our DSO transition could offer for them. Importantly, we are working hard to make sure our connections stakeholders are kept informed and have opportunities to help shape our future vision, direction and business priorities.
- A recording of our DSO webinar is available on our YouTube channel at youtube.com/NorthernPowergrid
- You can find out more about our transition to a DSO on our website at northernpowergrid.com/DSO
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