New ESO platform to improve batteries’ role in UK grid balancing

This week, the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) launched the first stage of its new Open Balancing Platform, which, according to the electricity system operator for Great Britain, will enable technologies like battery storage to play a more active role in balancing the network.

The first stage of the new platform will support the bulk dispatch of battery storage and small Balancing Mechanism Units. It will create new levels of precision for the ESO control room and allow control room engineers to choose options from a pre-selected and optimised list of units to meet a network requirement.

ESO expects this to lead to better value for consumers by increasing the optimisation of network balancing, accelerating the process, and reducing costs.

More stages of the Open Balancing Platform will be delivered across 2024 and 2025.

In response to the innovation, Gresham House Energy Storage Fund plc (LON:GRID) said that it has seen an uptick in activities in the Balancing Mechanism (BM) for battery energy storage assets and that preliminary indicators suggest the fund's assets could benefit from increased revenue opportunities. As a result, the company is looking to move its non-BM assets into the BM, with 100 MW to move this month.

Fund manager Ben Guest commented that the Open Balancing Platform and Bulk Dispatch Optimiser enable grid balancing with reduced reliance on fossil fuels, while making potential savings to consumers.

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