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National Grid DSO first to roll out a
resilience-focused flexibility service at scale across its
entire network
National Grid's Distribution System Operator (DSO) is launching a
new innovative flexibility service designed to strengthen network
resilience during severe weather events by encouraging customers
to shift electricity use ahead of forecast storms.
The new service, Responder, is a resilience-focused use case,
enabling National Grid DSO to access flexible demand turn-up
(DTU) across its entire licence area ahead of storm events.
Building on a previous trial StormFlex by SP Energy Networks,
this is the first time a DSO is procuring flexibility at scale
across its whole network, rather than in specific Constraint
Management Zones (CMZs).
During storms, damage to the network may require alternative
operating arrangements to maintain supplies. While essential,
these can place additional strain on otherwise healthy assets.
Responder helps reduce this risk by lowering demand during
critical periods.
Through the service, customers and flexibility providers will be
asked to bring forward electricity use into earlier time windows
ahead of forecast events. This could include charging electric
vehicles, pre-heating homes, running appliances, or completing
industrial processes before a storm arrives.
By shifting demand away from high-risk periods, Responder helps
reduce stress on the network when resilience is most critical. It
also supports customers in preparing for potential power
interruptions by ensuring key equipment, vehicles, and energy
storage are ready for use.
Responder builds on the DSO's existing Operational Utilisation
(OU) product, helping minimise complexity for providers while
unlocking new opportunities to use flexibility to support network
resilience. It will also provide valuable insight into how
flexibility could be used to support resilience objectives in
future regulatory periods, helping shape the next generation of
network operations during extreme weather events.
National Grid DSO plan to procure the service in summer 2026,
with delivery running from September 2026 to March 2027.
Cathy McClay, Managing Director at National DSO,
said:
"Responder is an exciting step forward in the evolution of
flexibility services and will help us better understand how
flexibility can support both customers and system operators in
preparing for extreme weather events.
We're aiming to create a strong and attractive opportunity
for flexibility providers, helping to grow participation and
unlock more value from flexibility.
Notes to editors
- Responder is a new flexibility use case being rolled out by
NGED to support network resilience during severe weather events.
- The service will procure Demand Turn Up (DTU) flexibility
from domestic and industrial/commercial assets to bring forwards
demand out of storm periods
- The product will be available across NGED's entire licence
area and is not restricted to Constraint Management Zones.
- Procurement to take place between July and August 2026, with
delivery of the service between September 2026 to March 2027.
- NGED intends to host a webinar for prospective flexibility
service providers on 23 July 2026. Registration link HERE.
- FSPs can contact nged.flexiblepower@nationalgrid.co.uk for
more information.
About National Grid in the UK
National Grid sits at the heart of Britain's energy system. The
individual companies in our group run the networks and
infrastructure that connect millions of people to the electricity
they use every day.
Our regulated businesses own and develop the high voltage
electricity transmission (ET) network in England and Wales, and
the electricity distribution (ED) network in the Midlands, South
West England and South Wales. Operating separately from these
core regulated units, National Grid Ventures (NGV) focusses on
competitive markets, investing in energy projects, technologies
and partnerships such as electricity interconnectors.
Much of the UK's electricity network was built in the 1960s when
the country was reliant on fossil fuels. Today, the UK needs to
connect huge volumes of renewable power to the network, to help
deliver the government's energy security strategy and net zero
targets and to support the nation's transition to a cleaner, more
affordable, and more independent energy system. This forms part
of The Great Grid Upgrade, the
largest overhaul of the network in a generation.
