EDF secures first DSO flexibility contracts in UK
Pod Point charger. Image courtesy EDF
EDF in the UK has partnered with Pod Point, a provider of EV charging solutions, to secure its first DSO flexibility contracts with UK Power Networks DSO.
Using EDF’s virtual power plant (VPP), PowerShift, EDF will automatically optimise the energy usage of customer’s EV chargers in response to flexibility demands from UK Power Networks.
According to EDF in a release, PowerShift is designed to unlock the optimal value of flexibility from both grid-scale and behind-the-meter assets, combining artificial intelligence, real-time data analytics and sophisticated algorithms.
This capability allows EDF to continuously monitor and optimise flexible assets in the hopes of ensuring swift adjustments to enhance performance and capture emerging opportunities in the dynamic energy landscape.
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With the partnership, Pod Point chargers will also be able to access new revenue avenues while assisting with grid stability.
Alex Howard, head of Flexibility Markets at UK Power Networks DSO, said: “We’re delighted to see EDF, one of Britain’s biggest energy suppliers, and their customers participate. Our flexibility procurement process is designed to be open and fair, ensuring all participants can contribute to grid reliability.”
Stuart Fenner, director of Wholesale Market Services Commercial, at EDF said: “We share UK Power Networks DSO’s vision for a more competitive and efficient flexibility market, and we’re excited to be part of a process that delivers value to customers and the grid alike.”
By providing flexible energy solutions, EDF aims to enhance the grid’s ability to manage fluctuations in supply and demand, ensuring its reliability while supporting the UK’s net zero emissions goals.
The flexibility contracts also mark the latest coming from UK Power Networks to tap into the flexibility potential offered by clean energy assets.
Earlier this year, the DSO announced Shift 2.0, a smart charging trial in the UK to test how dynamic prices influence smart charging, enabling EV drivers to maximise their use of cheap green energy without overloading local electricity networks.
