GRID FLEXIBILITY
National and local networks procure flexibility for different needs. A commercial battery may be useful when it can change import or export in the right place, at the right time.
NESO's year-round DFS rewards eligible homes and businesses for changing consumption when the system needs support. From April 2026 it expanded to bidirectional flexibility, zonal procurement and a lower 0.1 MW threshold; businesses usually access it through a registered provider.
Distribution Network Operators procure flexibility in constrained areas to help manage local networks and sometimes defer reinforcement. Requirements are regional and can appear only at particular substations or times.
Flexibility can help when the network cannot move all available power across a boundary. A battery might charge when energy is abundant or discharge when local demand is tight, depending on the service and connection.
A postcode is a useful start, but participation can also depend on the MPAN, feeder, import/export permissions, baseline method, minimum volume and conflicts with other services.
PLAIN-ENGLISH FAQ
No. Some national services are broad, while local services depend on a specific network requirement and connection location.
It changes generation or demand where network capacity is limited, helping operators keep flows within safe limits.
Possibly, but primacy, baseline and stacking rules are designed to prevent conflicting instructions. The current service terms must be checked.
NEXT STEP
Battery Boost compares the asset, connection and objectives before identifying suitable optimisation and route-to-market options.
EXPLORE THE VALUE STACK
Build a credible value stack across site savings, trading and grid services.
Read guide FAST RESPONSEUnderstand DC, DR and DM — and what participation requires.
Read guide AVAILABILITYAgreements, prequalification, aggregation and storage de-rating.
Read guide MARKETSWholesale, intraday, Balancing Mechanism and automated arbitrage.
Read guide