UK Power Networks’ Distribution System Operator (DSO) has hit a significant milestone with over 100,000 live assets, totalling 2GW of flexibility, registered on its Localflex trading platform.

Localflex, an auction-based trading platform allows system operators to connect with flexibility service providers, enabling broader participation from any portfolio capable of modulating its demand or generation to offer flexibility, and build towards a more flexible grid.

The new total includes assets from ongoing day-ahead flexibility markets as well as longer-term tenders and represent a hugely diverse range of market participants from electric vehicle smart charging to batteries, domestic and commercial energy management, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind farms.

In 2023/24, 7.8GWh of flexibility was dispatched, reflecting a seven-fold increase from the previous year and delivering £91m in consumer benefits. This milestone supports the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which aims to transform the UK's supply of electricity by significantly increasing the deployment of renewable energy and growing consumer-led flexibility five-fold.

“We have a responsibility to empower a diverse range of customers to contribute to our energy flexibility efforts,” said Alex Howard, head of flexibility markets at UK Power Networks’ DSO. “With the launch in April of the first day-ahead flexibility market and our transition to Localflex, we’re enabling consumers and businesses of all sizes to engage and deliver flexibility where it's needed most. By making flexibility accessible to all, we are maximising value for our customers and enhancing the resilience of our electricity system.” 

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