Smarter Grid Solutions’ Strata Grid platform is a key technology enabler for the new Megawatt (MW) Dispatch Initiative, delivered by UK Power Networks (UKPN) and the National Energy System Operator (NESO). UKPN has recently announced the landmark first energy dispatch using the MW Dispatch Service, marking a UK-first of Distribution System Operators (DSOs) dispatching local sources to benefit the wider transmission system.

To deliver this industry-first service, UK Power Networks uses the Strata Grid Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) to dispatch Distributed Energy Resources (DER) located in the Southern Power Networks area.

Megawatt Dispatch Explained  

Megawatt MW Dispatch is an innovative market-based solution which resolves system level constraints on the transmission network by managing smaller-scale distribution connected customers, focusing on areas with high renewable energy distribution. It is led by NESO and deployed initially in the south of England across two DSOs: UKPN and National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED).

This groundbreaking project improves network utilisation by facilitating the delivery of renewable power to high-demand areas, reducing system costs and allowing cleaner energy projects to connect to the grid at earlier dates by improving system hosting capacity.

Further, the close collaboration between UKPN and NESO showcases the wider potential for DER to participate in markets and provide services to NESO, all achieved alongside the important role of UKPN in delivering this alongside its other DSO flexibility services.

What role does Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) play?  

Smarter Grid Solutions’ Strata Grid DERMS platform is a key enabler in the delivery of DER management at UKPN and in this case, facilitates the dispatch of DER sites participating in the Megawatt Dispatch service.

Historically, NESO has used market-based solutions to solve a range of system problems, but this is the first time it has dispatched DER through existing DSO infrastructure. The benefit of this is that it widens access by minimising additional effort for DER to participate in the market: the DER participants can use existing infrastructure to provide Megawatt Dispatch services.

UKPN has integrated Megawatt Dispatch into its Flexibility Services Dispatch function which is delivered by Strata Grid. The DERMS platform is used to dispatch other distribution flexibility market products and is responsible for receiving schedule information from market platforms and translating this information into market dispatch instructions via common interfaces for each market participant.

The Strata Grid DERMS platform is also used for managing business logic for Megawatt Dispatch and other services to ensure that the correct DER are controlled at the correct time. This provides an essential interface for the DSO control team to interact with the market, ensuring that MW Dispatch actions are coordinated with wider distribution system operational goals.

Coordination between UKPN and NESO control and dispatch systems is critical to delivery of the MW Dispatch functions. Strata Grid has established an integration to NESO’s Platform for Ancillary Services (PAS), ensuring seamless transition of dispatch requests between NESO and UKPN.

Alan Gooding, General Manager at Smarter Grid Solutions, said: 

“We are delighted to be a key part of this industry-first milestone, demonstrating how advanced technology like Strata Grid can strengthen collaboration between transmission and distribution system operators and be a key enabler to optimising the energy delivery process.”