The UK’s electricity system operator, National Grid ESO (ESO), has launched the first stage of its Open Balancing Platform (OBP), a new system that will optimise the balancing of the electricity network by using advanced algorithms and data analytics.
The OBP, which was launched on 12 December 2023, will give ESO control room engineers pre-selected lists of units to choose from in order to meet a network requirement, such as frequency, voltage, or inertia. The OBP will reduce the number of manual instructions required from the control room, and greatly reduce the time taken to instruct balancing mechanism units.
The OBP will enable control room engineers to send hundreds of instructions to smaller Balancing Mechanism Units, allowing battery storage to play a more active role in balancing the network. The OBP will also enable more flexibility and participation from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, which can vary in output depending on weather conditions.
The OBP will support the ESO’s ambition to operate a zero-carbon electricity system by 2025, and help the UK achieve its net zero target by 2050. The OBP is the result of the ESO’s Net Zero Market Reform project, which was launched in 2022 to explore how to reform the electricity market to enable a greener and more efficient system.
The OBP is the first of three stages of the project, which will be followed by the Open Balancing Market and the Open Balancing Exchange, which will be launched in 2024 and 2025 respectively. The ESO’s ultimate aim is for the OBP to replace the existing Balancing Mechanism and the Ancillary Services Dispatch Platform by 2027.
The OBP has been developed in collaboration with industry partners, such as energy suppliers, aggregators, and technology providers. The OBP has been tested and trialled with over 50 participants, representing over 10GW of capacity, before its launch.
The OBP has been welcomed by the industry and the government, as a positive step towards a more flexible and responsive electricity system. The OBP is expected to deliver benefits for consumers, such as lower bills, improved reliability, and reduced emissions.
The OBP is part of the ESO’s wider Balancing Programme, which aims to transform how the ESO balances the electricity system and delivers value for consumers.
