SSEN’s HOMEflex project concludes with recommendations on flexibility compliance

The HOMEflex project, an initiative by SSEN Distribution and Flex Assure, has released its final report, which outlines a Code of Conduct and a proposed compliance scheme for the UK’s rapidly growing domestic energy flexibility market.

British utility Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and code of conduct and compliance scheme Flex Assure have announced the conclusion of the HOMEflex project.

With its conclusion, the project has release compliance recommendations, which come ahead of the UK government’s expected regulation of Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs) in 2027.

In compiling their report, the project engaged with consumers and industry stakeholders to develop standards addressing key risks in the domestic flexibility landscape.

Specifically, in its report, HOMEflex outlines a full set of recommendations for operating a voluntary compliance scheme, as Flexibility Service Provider (FSP) licensing regimes are expected to come into operation in 2027.

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Recommendations from the domestic compliance scheme include:

• Accountability for FSPs with a primary customer-facing relationship.
• The compliance scheme should be adopted without delay, and regularly reviewed.
• Independent oversight should be incorporated through an oversight committee and a board of directors.
• Audits should be processed on sign-up, after two years, and four-yearly thereafter.
• Board of directors should oversee the business interests of the company.
• Adequate complaint and dispute resolution mechanisms and auditing of compliance scheme members should be done through third party entities.
• Principal procurers should provide most funding at first, with smaller contributions from suppliers.
• The scheme should be established as the responsibility of an existing company.
• Public engagement should be via integration with existing customer-facing programmes.

Commenting in a release was SSEN’s Future Networks innovation project manager, Simon O’Loughlin: “With HOMEflex already recognised as best practice for domestic flexibility across Great Britain and further afield, it’s fantastic to see this work by Flex Assure and the engagement by the Centre for Sustainable Energy come to fruition as the framework that will take HOMEflex to the next level.

“Every electricity network cares about protecting customer interests and making sure everyone can benefit from flexibility and low carbon technologies. Procuring flexibility services from companies which have these considerations for customers, and abide by the HOMEflex principles, is a great way for embedding fairness for the low-carbon future.”

Said Charlotte Roniger, scheme manager at Flex Assure: “We’re delighted to publish HOMEflex’s final recommendations report marking a pivotal step toward a fair, transparent, and consumer-focused domestic flexibility market. This work lays the foundation for a voluntary compliance scheme that will help prepare the sector for upcoming government licensing.

“As the UK moves toward a net-zero future, ensuring robust consumer protections and industry accountability is essential to unlocking the full economic and environmental potential of domestic flexibility.

“By adopting the principles and structures outlined in this report through an interim compliance scheme, stakeholders can empower consumers to make informed decisions in an increasingly complex energy landscape.”

Funded by the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA), the HOMEflex project responded to concerns about consumer trust and protection in a market which is projected to save the UK up to £14.1 billion ($18.9 billion) annually by 2040.