Over 80% of those businesses surveyed use DSR to manage their energy spending – a rise of over 50% on last year. DSR means that companies get paid, or benefit from avoiding peak network charges, for reducing or temporarily halting their imports from the grid.
This summer, the National Grid introduced its ‘Demand Turn-Up’ offering. This means businesses can get rewarded for turning up their demand when wind and/or solar output is high.
The government has called for evidence on a smart energy market, with the aim of boosting incentives for companies that can flex their demand at short notice. The National Grid has a 2020 target of achieving 30-50% of grid balancing from demand-side sources rather than large power stations, as a number of power stations are taken offline.
This could lead to some “substantial” energy savings nationwide, said npower. The National Infrastructure Commission found that a smart energy market could save consumers up to £8bn a year by 2030. New technologies, including smart meters and novel methods of energy storage, mean more flexibility for consumers.
“New technologies and business models allow businesses to take control of their energy management,” said David Reed, head of nBS. “The food and drink industry can use refrigeration load to flex demand, with just a few small on-site additions to the infrastructure, resulting in significant savings.”
