Introduction
This dataset reports on UK Power Networks' use of paid
flexibility services. UK Power Networks uses flexibility (demand/generation
turn up/down) in London, the South East and the East of England to manage
electricity flows on the local electricity distribution network.
Flexibility dispatches data can be used to understand
historical volumes, prices paid, geographic locations, provider, and
technologies used. Using the Analyse tab, users can visualise and explore the
growth of flexibility dispatches. These transparent insights can inform current
and prospective flexibility services providers on how often flexibility is
dispatched and at what price, including local authorities, electricity
suppliers, industrial/commercial energy users and generation operators. The
data can also be used by wider stakeholders such as market analysts, advisers,
regulators, and policy makers.
A wide variety of energy resources and low carbon
technologies already provide flexibility services to UK Power Networks,
including grid-scale batteries, electric vehicle charge points, solar farms,
wind farms and residential energy users. These are grouped using the industry
standard technology categorisations as used for regulatory reporting. To find
out more about how to participate in flexibility tenders and become a
flexibility provider, visit our webpage: Flexibility
- UKPN DSO (ukpowernetworks.co.uk).
Flexibility dispatches are currently reported from 1 April
2023, with new dispatches added monthly. Each row includes the timing,
location, product, capacity, technology, and provider for our growing volume of
flexibility dispatches. The data is assessed for errors using algorithmic
quality control as well as being evaluated manually by a flexibility engineer
before publication. The dataset can be downloaded or incorporated into the
user’s interface via API.
Requested volumes may not match delivered volumes, depending
on performance against the relevant baseline. You can find actual dispatch data
in the yearly Procurement Statements and Reports at Tender Hub - UKPN DSO (ukpowernetworks.co.uk).
This includes our annual Flexibility Statement (forecasts for the next
regulatory year), Flexibility Report (outcomes from last regulatory year) and
data appendixes.
Methodological Approach
Dispatches are made by a control engineer in the DSO
Operations team to manage local constraints. Dispatches of flexible units (FUs)
may be made either by API or email, depending on the FU's technological
capabilities and preference.
This dataset reports on dispatches made under Secure,
Dynamic and Day-Ahead products. Flexibility provided through our Sustain
product is not dispatched and hence is not included within this dataset.
Requested volumes may not match delivered volumes, depending
on performance against the relevant baseline.
Historic data may be updated from time to time where data
errors are identified.
Quality Control Statement
Dispatches are passed through a quality control algorithm to
flag anomalies and erroneous data. Quality control checks include:
•
Times are consistent with the contracted service
window;
•
Dispatches are matched to the correct
flexibility zone;
•
Dispatches are unique (no duplicates);
•
Dispatches are issued at the contracted price
and volume;
•
Dispatches are matched with an active contract.
Assurance Statement
The flexibility dispatch report is reviewed by a flexibility
engineer and a member of the Data Science team to ensure the data is accurate
before publication on the Open Data Portal. Any data errors in previous reports
are corrected on an ongoing basis and updated monthly.
Other
Download dataset information: Metadata (JSON)
Definitions of key terms related to this dataset can be found in the Open Data Portal Glossary: https://ukpowernetworks.opendatasoft.com/pages/glossary/