FAQ

This mapping tool has been developed to display the current and potential future flexibility needs across National Grid’s network area. For each geographic area where a potential demand constraint has been identified, an availability window for generation turn-up or demand turn down has been published.

The maximum timing and duration of flexibility required to resolve a particular constraint. Flexibility may be required in these months at the designated times of day, to up the MegaWatt level published. An estimated monthly utilisation, in MWh, is also published.

National Grid defines network flexibility services under three products:

Secure - The Secure service is used to manage peak demand loading on the network and pre-emptively reduce network loading. Comprises of a higher availability payment and lower utilisation payment.

Dynamic - The Dynamic service has been developed to support the network in the event of specific fault conditions, often during maintenance work. Comprises of a low availability payment and higher utilisation payment.

Restore - The Restore service is intended to help with restoration following rare fault conditions. Comprises of a no availability payment and premium utilisation payment.

A Neutral Market Facilitator is a “individual/organisation” that interacts with a particular market but they do not influence it in anyway, they are “neutral”. 

This is a mode on the flexibility map that shows the current requirements of Constraint Managed Zones. All power profiles and energy estimates are based on National Grid’s Best View forecasts. We are looking to procure flexibility services for all the zones shown on the Live Procurement map layer.

This is a mode on the flexibility map that shows potential future Constraint Managed Zones. All power profiles and energy estimates are based on the D-FES demand forecasts. Signposting provides information about what service we may require in the future. We are not looking to procure these flexibility service today but we may in the future.

This is a network that has been designed to meet all peak demand requirements under normal running arrangements. The network does not need to be managed or reconfigured to meet maximum demand requirements all year round. In contrast, an active network makes use of smart/interactive systems to control power flows and network configuration in order to manage constraints in real time. 

This is one of 4 scenarios from National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios (FES). National Grid Electricity Distribution create Distribution-FES (D-FES) and our scenarios align with National Grids Scenarios. The D-FES translates the national FES to a regional (licence area) level. The FES scenarios are used on the flexibility map to give a scenario based view into the future as to what flexibility services may be required in an area. Users can select the a scenarios they think are most likely to play out over time. 

This is one of 4 scenarios from National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios (FES). National Grid Electricity Distribution create Distribution-FES (D-FES) and our scenarios align with National Grids Scenarios. The D-FES translates the national FES to a regional (licence area) level. The FES scenarios are used on the flexibility map to give a scenario based view into the future as to what flexibility services may be required in an area. Users can select the a scenarios they think are most likely to play out over time.