Case studies
Flexibility services case studies
It's sometimes hard to visualise and understand how the various types of flexibility services operate, so we've created some scenarios below which demonstrate how flexibility service providers (fsps) can make temporary changes to the way they use, generate or store electricity when asked to by the electricity distributor. This is done to balance supply and demand and reduce strain on the electricity network, and ensure a safe and reliable supply of energy.
Demand turn-down (VAOU)
A supermarket is looking to provide flexibility services through an Variable Availability + Operational Utilisation (VAOU) contract by reducing its energy usage at peak times.
Generation turn-up (VAOU)
A dairy farm is looking to provide flexibility services through an Variable Availability + Operational Utilisation (VAOU) contract by increasing generation following a fault or unplanned network event.
Energy efficiency (Peak Reduction)
A warehouse is looking to provide flexibility services through a Peak Reduction contract by reducing its long-term energy demand.
Demand turn-down (homeowner via aggregator – Peak Reduction)
A homeowner is looking to participate in the flexibility services market (via an aggregator through a Peak Reduction contract) by reducing their electricity demand during peak hours, providing additional capacity to help manage network constraints.
Demand turn-up/down and generation turn-up (Operational Utilisation)
A university which has energy storage assets and a diesel generator on its site is looking to provide flexibility services through an Operational Utilisation contract during peak times or unplanned outages/faults.
Demand turn-down (Peak Reduction)
A hotel owner is looking to provide flexibility services to SP Electricity North West through a Peak Reduction contract by reducing their electricity demand during peak hours, providing additional capacity to help manage network constraints.
Demand turn-down (homeowner via aggregator - Scheduled Utilisation)
A homeowner is looking to participate in the flexibility services market by reducing their electricity demand during peak hours, providing additional capacity to help manage network constraints.