UK taps OpenADR 3.0 for interoperable flexibility
Image courtesy ENA
ENA, Elexon, NESO and the OpenADR Alliance have signed a letter of intent to collaborate and further develop an internationally accepted standard, called OpenADR 3.0. The new standard will be used for interoperable flexibility dispatch systems in the GB flexibility market.
Launched in 2023, OpenADR 3.0 is a common standardised language that can be used to turn devices off during high levels of energy demand or can turn devices on during periods of high renewable generation, and modulate output as required for either scenario.
The standards aims to ensure that any individual who makes temporary changes to the way they use energy, also known as a flexibility service provider, will experience a consistent process, no matter the network operator.
Commenting in a release was Dr Avi Aithal, head of open networks at ENA: “The letter of intent is a strong statement from ENA and the signatories that we will continue to work together to deliver a wider and more holistic whole-of-dispatch standard. This encompasses the Application Programming Interface (API) and the assumptions of the supporting infrastructure and standard architecture.”
With a growing emphasis on creating a smarter energy grid, network operators deploying a consistent and interoperable solution represents a significant step forward. This project is focused on using OpenADR 3.0 to standardise the dispatch instructions in the GB flexibility market between all network operators and flexibility service provider assets.
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Steven Gough, head of flexibility at Elexon, said: “To achieve the growth levels in the provision of flexibility needed to meet Clean Power 2030, we need to provide a simple, standardised process for flexibility service providers to offer their services, across a range of DSO and NESO markets.
“The new API standard will help to achieve this goal, as system operators will use it to provide dispatch instructions to providers in a standard interoperable format, applicable across diverse flexibility markets.”
Commenting on the practical benefits of standardisation, Rolf Bienert, managing director at OpenADR Alliance: “Scalability is a key component to make our energy grid reliable, safe, and effective in the future. The use of standards is greatly supporting this in many aspects. Therefore we are excited to take part in this collaboration to use the OpenADR 3.0 standard to develop the flexibility systems in the GB market and beyond.”
Joseph Stepney, head of strategy and architecture, NESO: “NESO looks forward to working closely with ENA, Elexon and OpenADR Alliance to deliver greater interoperability opportunities for market participants by developing standards for data sharing for the dispatch of flexibility services.”
Leading up to the conclusion of the Open Networks programme later this year, the letter, says ENA in a release, reaffirms their commitment to removing barriers to accessing flexibility markets, collaborating with stakeholders and improving interoperability.
According to ENA, aligning local and national flexibility markets has been a key component of the programme and will be included in the transition of the Open Networks initiative to Elexon, the new market facilitator.
ENA will formally conclude the Open Networks programme in July this year. Since 2017, the Open Networks programme has successfully facilitated the transition to distribution system operation and established the local flexibility market as business-as-usual.
The programme offers resources to new and existing flexibility service providers to aid them in participating in their local flexibility market.
