1. Community and local energy, what next?
Flexibility Markets
Public body PPAs
Engagement
Jodie Giles
CARES conference, Perth, 9 May 2019

2. Future of community and local energy

3. Distribution Future Energy Scenarios
We analyse how demands on distribution networks may change locally
energy resources
projects in the pipeline
local planning policies
new domestic and commercial developments
electric vehicle and charging infrastructure growth
This helps DNOs plan future networks and investments
SSEN consultation event likely to be 25/26 June in Perth for northern Scotland.
The latest in Regen’s distribution future energy scenarios (DFES) was launched by Scottish and Southern Networks (SSEN) at a webinar on 15 February 2019.
If any of you are planning new projects in SSEN’s area we want to hear about it
SSEN, WPD, UKPN
The four scenarios start from Community Renewables, a highly decentralised system that is on track to achieve the 80% reduction in carbon by This scenario quadruples rooftop solar installation and has around 20% of homes with heat pumps by 2032.
At the other end of the spectrum, a centralised slow growth system Steady Progression, sees continuing of the hiatus in decarbonisation along with increasing levels of air conditioning.

4. Our electricity system is changing…
Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are adapting to the growth of renewables and new challenges such as electric vehicles by offering to pay people who can be flexible when they use electricity or store it to be released when it is needed.
Shift in supply & demand:
15GW of fossil fuel generation has come off the system since 2011
20GW of wind and solar power has come on to the system since 2009 (PV mostly on the distribution network)
Demand for EVs rose 27% last year
A typical electric car uses as much electricity in a year, as an average home, so could alter the load profiles our network was designed for.

5. Where’s the value? Trust Engagement Local knowledge Building consent
Devon Community Energy Network people power
Trust
Engagement
Local knowledge
Building consent
Note this doesn’t include the £10.5bn a year we spend supporting for fossil fuels in the UK (highest subsidy in EU)

6. So what next? DSO transition, flexibility markets and innovation
Collaboration, upscaling and public body PPAs
Engagement

7. Why are DNOs becoming DSOs?
This means a lot more engagement with customers …
Deferring network upgrades by turning to flexibility instead.
Saving customers money.
Flexibility services: Modifying generation and/or consumption patterns in reaction to an external signal for a financial reward (revenue).

8. Why is flexibility important?
New revenue streams - Payments are marginal but support new business models and revenue stacking
Enable more low carbon electricity generation to connect
Step towards local supply – same skills set and platforms could be used for local energy trading
Manage demand on the network to avoid peaks
Customers will be asked to:
reduce their demand for electricity (a bit like Economy 7 but more dynamic)
turn up their energy generation
discharge power they have stored
Energy and electrons are plentiful, there is value in scarcity
If we aren’t engaged as the market develops all the value will be hoovered up by the incumbents …

9. Innovation
Submit an idea on the Energy Networks Association’s Call for Ideas for the Network Innovation Competition (NIC). Network Innovation Collaboration Portal (last round funded £90m)
EU and government funding

10. Collaboration, upscaling and PPAs
23 community energy groups collaborating to achieve scale Developing a project pipeline Negotiating with Devon County Council to get a public body PPA
Realised need to work together to do larger projects
Looking at stalled PV farms >5MW, planning permission lapsing, option agreements ending
Public body PPA – issues with lock in to long term very cheap energy contracts, tendering process is very laborious,
LA is motivated by Carbon targets and hedging against rising energy costs.
There could be an increase in balancing costs (by removing 30% of a portfolio and offering a community PPA for solar, it might generate when DCC don’t have demand.
All about creating a reliable buyer for our power.

11. Engagement
If you don’t want to get all geeky and techy about energy, do innovation projects or engage in flexibility, there is still massive value in engaging your community in energy issues, the trust you build will help in future to engage people in our changing energy system.
23 orgs created 33 jobs and supported nearly 3000 households with energy in 2017, they do home visits to help the fuel poor etc.
Knitting, a musical, feasts, fuel poverty photo exhibition ‘cold realities’, solar roller, and poetry.
Scale of change needed to address climate change requires more decentralised generation, this is not possible without community involvement, bringing people with us. Communities and some LAs are trusted, have local networks and can influence behaviour change in a way energy companies cannot … proving your reach and impact are essential to the future of CE.
Read poem!

13. Thanks for listening
Regen, Innovation Centre, Rennes Drive, Exeter, EX4 4RN T: