Edinburgh-based energy supplier and demand response pioneer Flexitricity is now working on recruiting a range of sites to implement and test the new solution as part of the second phase of the Quickturn project. It is also partnering with the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Digital Communications, which will contribute its word-class expertise in emerging technology to increase communication speed and reliability, and reduce the overall cost of setting up DSR dispatch systems. 

The project will benefit SMEs as well as smaller sites that are part of larger, multi-site estates, such as supermarket chains. The Quickturn project will help these sites reduce energy costs and earn revenue through providing electricity system balancing services to National Grid.  Flexitricity says that previously, participation has not been economically viable for smaller sites due to the cost of hardware, communications and implementation. 

Similar to large-scale DSR, Quickturn will use flexible energy-consuming assets such as cold storage, air conditioning and heat pumps to help National Grid balance the fluctuating demands of the UK energy system. 

Speaking of the project, Dr Alastair Martin, founder and CSO at Flexitricity, said: “The ongoing drive towards a more decentralised, renewables-based energy system means that small businesses, and eventually households, will have a vital role to play in the long-term management of our energy system. We’re proud to be able to deliver the tools that enable businesses to take control of their energy usage and earn much needed additional revenue.

“The funding we’ve secured for this project will allow us to develop a cost and time effective solution that fits the requirements of National Grid as well as small sites. National Grid doesn’t turn down its requirements for reliability just because a site is small.  Also, a small site will have core business processes which are just as critical as they would be on a large site.  This means we’ve had to find a way to deliver the same quality to National Grid, and achieve the same core business protection for the site, as we do in traditional DSR – but with less time spent working on site, and smaller, lower-cost equipment.

In 2016 Flexitricity launched its ‘Footroom’ service (also referred to as Demand Turn Up) which is now used by National Grid to make use of excess wind power. This reduces the need to pay wind farms to shut down, while enabling businesses to use green energy instead of fossil fuels during low demand periods.