Flexibility services can be provided to Distribution System Operators (DSOs) under the amended Energy Law of 2023. Currently, each DSO uses its own solutions to find suppliers and to accept or activate offers. The exchange platform will make the offering and use of local flexibility services more transparent, and with the tool, operators will be able to increase or reduce their consumption or generation in a designated network area. These services are contracted by DSOs and can be provided by, among others, power generators, storage facilities, so-called active customers, and aggregators, for remuneration.
‘Flexibility is the key to a modern and efficient distribution network. Through flexibility, it will be possible to manage the network and existing congestion more effectively, respond to changes in energy production and consumption, and, above all, offer new opportunities and services to our customers,’ says Maciej Mróz, Vice-President of the Management Board of TAURON Dystrybucja. ‘The platform will significantly simplify the procedures for selecting service offers and address local energy challenges more efficiently.’
‘A growing share of energy volume flows through distribution networks, and their role will increase. Although flexibility services are provided to DSOs and the TSO plays only a coordinating role, the flexibility platform’s offers can also be used by TSOs as an additional tool to improve the efficiency of network operations. Collaboration to create a trading platform to facilitate market-based access to flexibility services is in line with PSE’s new strategy, the main objective of which is to prepare the system for a carbon-free energy sector,’ adds Grzegorz Onichimowski, President of the Management Board of PSE.
‘The goal is to set up a single shared platform for all DSOs throughout the territory of Poland, which will enable efficient management of production flexibility or power consumption across the national grid. It is an overarching objective that market participants with generation assets located in different parts of Poland can benefit from a single tool and regulatory framework. This will lead to functional and cost efficiencies for all parties to the agreement, as well as for the future providers of flexibility services on the platform to be operated by TGE.’ sums up Piotr Listwoń, President of the Management Board of TGE.
The first phase of work on the platform will define the products offered in the flexibility services market and the rules for verifying transactions to assess their feasibility and impact on network operation at different voltage levels.