Non-network opportunities
To help maintain a reliable and affordable electricity supply for our customers, we regularly seek to test our traditional investments in our poles and wires against non-network solutions provided by third parties.
Non-network solutions can include demand management programs, as well as flexible services, such as grid-connected battery storage, neighbourhood batteries, electric vehicles and other behind-the-meter battery storage solutions.
We actively engage organisations to develop non-network solutions that defer, reduce, or even remove the need to invest in our network. This helps keep costs low for customers.
Piclo Flex: online flexibility marketplace
Access to network data is critical to the development of non-network solutions. To improve visibility of constraints on our network, we’ve partnered with UK technology company, Piclo Energy to develop a cloud-based flexibility marketplace.
Using it is simple – all you need to do is register your asset, wait for new competitions to be released in your area and submit your bid all in the same easy-to-use platform.
How to access Piclo Flex
To register your flexibility service on our marketplace, go to Piclo Flex and register.
Click here for an overview of how Flexibility Service Providers can engage with the flexibility marketplace.
Piclo Flex webinar
We’re hosting an webinar on Friday 24 May, 10.30am-11.30am to provide companies, government bodies and community groups with a demonstration of the new flexibility marketplace platform.
Participants will be given a guide on how to qualify their assets on the platform, manage their bids and access customer support services during competitions.
Click here to register for the webinar.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to lean more about our opportunities, contact us at nonnetworksolutions@ue.com.au.
What is flexibility?
Flexibility is the capability of distributed energy resources to provide network services when called on.
This helps reduce pressure on the network. When the service is activated, the service provider receives a payment for every unit of electricity provided. For example, by supplying extra generation during summer peak periods, or by shifting large loads such as electric vehicles to the middle of the day when solar energy is abundant.
As a distribution system operator, we pay flexibility service providers to help manage the distribution network when called on. This requires extensive engagement with third parties to guarantee a reliable service for our customers.
Flexibility services are technology agnostic and can also include increasing consumption or reducing generation when there’s excess renewable energy generation. Or during peak demand hours, reducing electricity consumption or increasing generation to reduce the demand on the network.