EDF PowerShift - enduring solution
Delivering an innovative and flexible platform / Helping to balance the Grid and keep it stable
EDF is Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity*, meeting around one-fifth of the country’s demand and supplying millions of customers with electricity and gas. EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission electric future and tackling climate change.
EDF generate low carbon electricity from eight nuclear power stations, more than thirty onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms and operate one of Britain’s biggest battery storage units and thousands of EV charge-points.
* UK Fuel Mix disclosure information, published by the Government (BEIS) recognises electricity from wind, solar and nuclear fuel produces zero carbon dioxide emissions at the point of generation.
Background
This changing landscape has introduced an increase in market volatility and impact on the Grid. Businesses would need to be able to respond quickly and effectively to thrive. Many EDF customers were looking at, or had already implemented, onsite generation and battery storage for example. With this increasing level of connectivity being demanded by a growing number of energy generators and storage systems, this was adding even greater complexity to the ability to balance the network and keep it stable.
EDF however identified that this decentralised energy model could provide businesses with further opportunity in terms of balancing consumption and generation. If businesses were able to shift their energy consumption when UK electricity demand from the Grid threatens to exceed supply – and if there could be added incentive in the form of energy-saving and revenue earning potential through trading – this could help balance the Grid and deliver sustainable financial returns.
Enabling assets to be controlled to reduce or shift energy demand – the PowerShift platform would optimise, control and trade over 250MW of assets helping to keep the Grid balanced and enabling customers to earn revenues from flexibility services.
Benefits
- Maximise revenue from energy assets, supporting National Grid to balance energy during periods of high demand or stress
- Supports Decarbonisation of the Grid and reduces need for high carbon generation
- Enables business to manage high energy peaks (Triad periods – November –February)
- Enable assets to better respond to events and to generate revenue even when they are not required to deliver
- Unlock untapped revenue from your existing assets and fulfil your sustainability goals
“Working with Capula to develop a core component of our PowerShift solution has enabled us to move quickly, thereby maximising the new opportunities energy flexibility provides for ourselves and for our customers.”
Matt Flook
Senior Manager of Flexibility Release Management Wholesale Markets Optimisation EDF
Capula solution
A successful pilot solution was developed in an accelerated timeline. A proof of concept solution was developed to demonstrate how they could connect customers (large industrial and commercial generators) with EDF’s Wholesale market trading desks to deliver greater flexibility and control in the management of energy assets, whilst creating new revenue streams.
The initial project was focused on the control of small diesel generators, however within a year this had been extended to include other assets including battery optimisation.
Following successful market validation PowerShift was established as EDF’s flexibility platform that enables customers to manage and monetise their energy assets.
Having delivered a successful proof of concept in an accelerated 8-week timescale, Capula was selected as an integral part of the project to support the delivery and iterative development of the platform, including strengthening the functionality and gradual onboarding of more and varying energy asset types.
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