Published on 26 February 2025
Electricity North West has successfully dispatched flexibility in real time through Electron’s next-generation market platform, ElectronConnect.
A fleet of energy assets operated by flexibility service provider (FSP), Axle Energy, responded to the real-time dispatch instruction, adjusting electricity output within a 15 minute response time to help maintain distribution network stability and relieve local grid constraints. This demonstrates one of many use cases that flexibility assets can support at a local distribution network level.
Electricity North West procures four out of the five standard flexibility products through ElectronConnect. The Axle resources are contracted and were dispatched to provide “Operational Utilisation”, one of the five standard flexibility products in the UK. With this product, flexibility assets are dispatched close to real time, helping grid operators manage constraints on the network in a cost effective way based on actual network data.
Electricity North West partnered with Electron to unlock flexibility at scale with its enhanced, end-to-end market platform in March 2024. The real-time dispatch capabilities of the platform are a key part of enabling that scale, making it simpler for FSPs to contract, dispatch, and settle flexibility services on a common platform in the North West.
Paul George, DSO Commercial Lead, Electricity North West said: “This represents an important milestone in Electricity North West’s flexibility procurement process and demonstrates our commitment to the vision of creating a comprehensive and seamless experience for FSPs in the North West. We’re excited about future developments in the Electron Connect platform and further supporting the provision of flexibility services in the North West region.”
Jo-Jo Hubbard, CEO and Co-Founder, Electron: “We’re thrilled to hit this milestone of enabling real-time dispatch on the Electricity North West power network. As the industry continues to develop the full value stack for flexibility, unlocking real-time markets opens new opportunities and value for asset and network optimisation. This is made possible by Electricity North West’s investments in the digitalisation of their DSO platform, giving options to flexibility service providers, like Axle, to take advantage of these opportunities.”
Pelle Jacobs, Axle Energy: “Real-time flexibility is a game-changer for the grid, and we’re thrilled to see this being streamlined for the North West region by ENWL via ElectronConnect. This development allows Axle to enable distributed assets—like the EV chargers, batteries, and heat pumps that we optimise— to respond dynamically to time-sensitive grid needs and to unlock flexibility value for consumers. We look forward to continuing to scale our flexibility services in ENWL areas with this innovation.”
About Electron
Electron runs flexibility markets for DSOs and the grid edge, unlocking fast, low-cost capacity from millions of flexible distributed energy resources (DERs). By pairing grid analytics with flexibility markets, Electron reveals where DERs are and what they’re worth, so flexibility can scale wherever it makes technical and economic sense. Trusted by customers across the UK and North America, Electron is helping build a more cost-effective, reliable, and resilient energy system.
About Electricity North West
Electricity North West is the distribution network operator for the North West of England covering Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria. It employs more than 2,000 people and manages more than 60,000km of overhead lines and underground cables. The way we use electricity is changing rapidly. Electricity North West is at the forefront of energy innovation, working with local communities, key stakeholders and expert partners to ensure everyone has the power they need when they need it.
The Distribution System Operation (DSO) functions and capabilities are key to delivering Net Zero in the region. Through advanced demand and generation forecasting capabilities, Electricity North West is able to identify where flexible services can best address system needs. We are targeting significant growth in the flexibility space and are focused on engagement and deploying digital solutions to improve market access and liquidity in the North West.
About Axle Energy
Axle Energy is an energy flexibility company with a mission to decarbonise the grid. The platform optimises and connects distributed assets, such as EV chargers, batteries, and heat pumps, to electricity markets, enabling a dynamic and flexible energy network.
For media requests, please contact Emma Lovell at emma.lovell@electron.net.
