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Distribution System Operation

As we move towards a low carbon economy, new technologies, digitisation and changing customer needs are driving unprecedented change in the way energy is generated and used. As an electricity infrastructure provider, we need to make sure that our network is able to safely and securely support these changes, whilst maintaining high standards of reliability for our customers.

The general consensus in our industry (as captured in the Open Networks project) is that new processes and functions are required to operate such an energy system, the whole being referred to as ‘distribution system operation’  (DSO) function.  At Northern Powergrid we are helping to shape the transition to ensure it delivers maximum value for our customers.

We continue to deliver our current Business Plan (2015-23) which includes a £2.7 billion commitment to deliver improvements for our customers.  As part of this, our £83 million smart grid investment programme is transforming our ability to monitor, control and communicate with thousands of our substations, creating a platform for deploying smart solutions in the years to come.

We're also planning for the next price control period,  RIIO-ED2, which will run from April 2023 to March 2028. 

Our 2023-28 business plan explores key areas including future energy systems, network improvements and security, our role as an economic enabler supporting net zero targets and how we're delivering for our customers through high quality, fairly priced and inclusive services.

News & Events

NEW CALL FOR FLEXIBILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS
03 Feb 2022
Electricity network operator seeks expression of interest from potential flexibility service providers, offering an opportunity to be rewarded for facilitating a more efficient electricity network.
NORTHERN POWERGRID UNVEILS POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP MAXIMISE USE OF THE REGION’S...
10 Nov 2021
Northern Powergrid shares early visibility of potential revenue-earning opportunities for customers that can offer flexibility services
NEW SEARCH LAUNCHED FOR FLEXIBILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS
30 Nov 2020
Generators of electricity, businesses that consume a lot of energy and aggregators are among those being invited to express interest in providing flexibility services to Northern Powergrid across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.
LAST CALL FOR NORTHERN POWERGRID'S FLEXIBILITY AUCTION
14 Feb 2020
Northern Powergrid is calling for anyone with significant assets connected to its network to get in touch and register for its upcoming auction to provide power flexibility services in exchange for commercial return.
FLEXIBILITY GOES UNDER THE HAMMER
21 Nov 2019
In UK-first move for a DNO, Northern Powergrid announces intent to procure local flexibility via e-auction
LOCAL GENERATION QUADRUPLES IN 10 YEARS...
24 Oct 2019
Northern Powergrid has set out a number of questions that Ofgem and the energy industry need to address as part of its published plan to become a Distribution System Operator – DSO v1.1.
NORTHERN POWERGRID TACKLES INDUSTRY-CRITICAL ISSUES
10 May 2019
Northern Powergrid invites consultation and debate on the hottest industry topics as part of its 2019 Consultative Roundtable series.
NORTHERN POWERGRID TESTS THE MARKET FOR FLEXIBILITY SERVICES AS IT FUTUREPROOFS THE...
12 Sep 2018
As flexibility procurement becomes more important to network operators across the country, Northern Powergrid will partner with Piclo to assess the potential for a national flexibility procurement platform.

Documents and Resources

Download Documents
Distribution Flexibility Services Procurement Statement 2022/23
A guide to our approach to procuring flexibility services in 2022/23
Distribution Future Energy Scenarios - 2021
Find out how we're mapping net zero locally
August 2021 Network Options Decision
August 2021 Network Options Decision
DSO v1.1 Development Plan
View and comment on our DSO document which sets out how we plan to create a customer-led system operator approach to managing future energy systems. (December 2019)
Delivering customer flexibility
Read our investment appraisal processes. (December 2019)
Northern Powergrid Quarterly Flexibility Metrics 2020
Our Flexibility Quarterly Metrics for 2020 provide visibility on our assessment of use cases for customer contracted flexibility on which we are making investment decisions.
Digitalisation Strategy and Action Plan
View and comment on our emerging thinking about how we plan to embed digital transformation into everything we do now and in the future.
Response to Ofgem's DSO position paper
Read our response. (October 2019)
DSO v1.0 Emerging Thinking
Read our emerging thinking about future energy systems and transition to DSO. (December 2018)
Local Authority Energy Plan Charter
View joint Northern Powergrid and Northern Gas Networks LAEP Charter
Download Resources
Open Networks Project
Find out more about the Open Networks Project which is a major industry initiative that we're involved in that will transform the way our energy networks operate, underpinning the delivery of the smart grid.
Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES)
Access our potential future scenarios geo-spatial visualisation tool and data files.
Flexible Power
Find out how DNOs have joined forces to provide flexibility providers with a direct path to participate in flexibility on multiple networks.
E-auction
Visit our portal for e-tendering and e-auctions

Get in Touch



We want our customers and other key stakeholders to be part of our journey as we seek to transition to a DSO and deliver customer-led future energy systems.

We'd welcome your views on our vision and approach,  please send any feedback or questions to us at yourpowergrid@northernpowergrid.com

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