Digitalized Markets: A better way to grid flexibility in the USA

The US grid as we know is evolving faster than we can keep up. The proliferation of renewables and other Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as battery storage and electric vehicles are impacting the grid, creating short-term supply and demand challenges and countless local network constraints. Yet networks are now leveraging ‘flexibility’ and adding GWs of capacity back into our systems to ensure our grids remain resilient.
This webinar will take a deep-dive into solving grid congestion issues through a market-based, democratized, and digitalized approach to contracting and dispatching flexibility and Non-Wires Alternative (NWAs) programs.
On March 9 at 11:00 AM EST, John Bayard, Chief Commercial Officer at Piclo, joins Steven Hopengarten, Lead Strategic Sourcing Specialist at National Grid, to discuss:
- The pros and cons of current flexibility services programs in the USA
- Transmission and distribution-scale flexibility marketplace case studies from the UK
- The ongoing pilot project with National Grid in New York State and ways to get involved

Transcript

1. © Open Utility Ltd March 2023 Digitalized Markets: A Better Way to Grid Flexibility in the USA
2. 2 © Open Utility Ltd Housekeeping • Please mute yourself and turn off your webcam • Webinar will be recorded, and you will receive the link to the recording and presentation in the coming weeks • Submit questions throughout webinar in the chat - we welcome any questions you have!
3. 3 © Open Utility Ltd Grid flexibility is essential to usher in the Energy Transition • Distributed renewable generation • Electrification of transportation and heat • An aging infrastructure that wasn’t designed for this in the first place! • Slow down energy transition • Increase network capacity (at huge cost) • Harness flexibility resources Challenges Our options Network limit (MW) Intra-day supply and demand profile Demand-side response Interconnector Battery & EV Distributed generation
4. 4 © Open Utility Ltd The concept of flexibility isn’t new - however it’s not yielding its potential Non-Wires Alternatives Bi-lateral DSR Existing Energy Procurement (RTO/ISO, CCAs, PPAs, Tx/Dx Coordin.) Grid Hardening, Replacements, and Upgrades Utilities / grid operators FSPs* Ratepayers Challenges Huge variation in rules and approach among states, utilities, and grid operators Resource intensive for utilities to execute Historically weak cost/benefit results Siloed programs focused on small number of technologies and applications Minimal competition means less innovation or competitive price pressures High thresholds to participate, incumbents dominate, and can be exclusionary Complex stakeholder landscape means needed transformation and change comes slowly Capitally intensive and requires lengthy timeframes Constrained by supply chain bottlenecks and rising costs, which are passed on to consumers *FSP = Flex Service Provider (DERAs, asset owners, EV companies , smart thermostats, etc.) Market Actors: Existing Solutions:
5. 5 © Open Utility Ltd • Competition-based approach to sourcing local flex at lowest cost per MW • End-to-end process: Advertisement, auction, dispatch, settlement & payment • Participation by flex service providers of all types, shapes and sizes • Digital platform that can be configured and launched in three months • Streamlined processes that reduces procurement costs for utilities & FSPs A better way: digitized marketplaces for sourcing local flexibility Market-driven approach Local & inclusive Low cost to operate
6. 6 © Open Utility Ltd Use cases: Flexibility delivers value across the entire utility organization Deferral of grid infrastructure Unplanned outages Day-ahead constraint mgmt Planned maintenance Flexible network connections Long term (Network planners) Mid term (Customer delivery) Short term (Control room)
7. 7 © Open Utility Ltd National Grid ESO: Solving transmission level constraints • End-to-end functionality for National Grid ESO Local Constraint Market, tackling high constraint costs caused by wind generation at the Scottish-English border • Allows NG ESO to procure through day-ahead and intra-day competitions to complement other National Grid ESO actions (Balancing Market) • Distribution assets will be participating in Transmission level markets - the platform will be facilitating coordination between the Distribution and Transmission system operators • Enabling smaller assets to soak up excess, cheaper electricity (via FERC 2222) • Typical assets participating - Small renewable generators, batteries
8. 8 © Open Utility Ltd Case study: Scottish Power Networks ✓ Customer since 2019 and seen year over year increases in participation ✓ SPEN has tendered for over 2600 MW of flexibility service requirements across four competition rounds, surpassing 190 MW of contracts awarded to Flex Providers. ✓ We’ve just agreed to provide our End-to-end service with SPEN - including dispatch, performance verification & invoicing - as part of a 2-year contract
9. 9 © Open Utility Ltd National Grid pilot in New York State • One year proof-of-concept pilot to test how flexibility services (Non-Wires Alternatives, or NWAs) can work in the US • We streamlined processes and submission requirements to improve user experience and FSPs’ ability to participate • Goal to expand beyond pilot and other utilities / geographies to provide more flexibility services revenue opportunities to FSPs
10. 10 © Open Utility Ltd 1. Rewatch recording (to be shared after this) 2. Review Help articles on our support page - https://support.picloflex.com/ 3. Reach out to one of the following email addresses: a. flex-usa@piclo.energy for general questions before registering on the platform b. support@picloflex.com for direct support on company and asset qualifications, and platform troubleshooting help 4. Top tips to remember a. Never hesitate to reach out to us and ask for help b. The more information you can provide, the better! c. Don’t leave things until the last minute d. Give us feedback - we want the platform to make things easier for you Tips for Flex Service Providers (FSPs)
11. © Open Utility Ltd Thank you
12. © Open Utility Ltd Book a demo flex-usa@piclo.energy comms@piclo.energy www.piclo.energy Get in contact