Updated: 25 April 2025
Author: Shane Touhey, Commercial Analyst, Electron
As the energy sector evolves, distributed energy resource (DER) operators acting as flexibility service providers (FSPs) are becoming vital in creating a sustainable and efficient electricity system. At Electron, we work closely with grid operators and their FSPs to ensure the value and volume of flexibility can continue to grow. This will help support the sustainable, resilient grid of the future.
We’ve gathered insights and learnings from those FSPs to highlight challenges and opportunities within the energy industry that may affect their participation in markets. So, here are some of the key learnings that can help shape the future of flexibility services.
1. FSPs need streamlined access across multiple flexibility platforms
One of the concerns today for FSPs is the complexity of operating on multiple trading platforms, with little interconnectivity. This fragmentation can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and increased operational costs.
Projects like the Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) or Flexify aim to reduce that fragmentation and streamline the FSP experience.
Flexify is a universal profile for flexibility providers, with an asset connector and market qualification and data and insights.
Electron worked on the project, funded by DESNZ, with Arup and Energy Systems Catapult to provide an easy way for FSPs to participate in markets across different flex market platforms.
This is one example of how a unified approach enhances collaboration and reduces the burden on FSPs to manage multiple interfaces.
2. More standardisation will help smooth operations
The lack of standardisation of data across flexibility platforms remains a hurdle for FSPs too. Many struggle to capture the full commercial value available to them due to the different processes and data requirements.
Developing industry-wide standards can facilitate smoother operations and improve the reliability of flexibility services. New standard flexibility products, for example, came into play in 2024, thanks to work from the ENA and the Open Networks project.
Electron has rolled these out according to the needs of its customers. The latest was “Operational Utilisation”, including operational dispatch through ElectronConnect, which launched in 2025 for Electricity North West.
There’s still work to be done. At Electron, we’re actively making improvements based on feedback and what we’re learning through implementation.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve worked with customers to standardise what they require from their FSPs.
A working group has helped sparked alignment on pre-qualification requirements as well as ensuring that flexibility providers only sign a contract once to participate across all markets – rather than one per market.
Projects like Flexify point to a future where standardised asset data can flow between platforms, with an open-ecosystem approach. This way, DSOs and other market actors can create a more interoperable and cohesive environment that enhances market participation and supports the growth of renewable energy.
3. The user experience needs to improve to ensure participation
While standardisation helps streamline processes, there are some basics at a platform level that can help improve the user experience.
Some FSPs still work to CSV files, and Electron’s Customer Success team supports FSPs with the upload process. Others have expressed a preference for alternative solutions over traditional spreadsheet-based methods.
FSPs with many assets prefer Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). These can simplify processes and integrate with existing systems. On the other hand, smaller FSPs prefer graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for their increased usability and decreased room for error.
By prioritising intuitive design and seamless integration, we can empower FSPs to focus on strategic decision-making rather than on cumbersome data management tasks.
4. More diverse routes to market are required to deliver more MWs to the grid
Energy assets and flexibility providers are diverse.
Some operate small assets or aggregations and have less experience in flexibility markets because those opportunities weren’t previously available.
Some are large, established players, with plenty of expertise that can help drive the development of market platforms thanks to their insights.
All groups come with MWs to help balance supply and demand on the grid, so ensuring market access and inclusivity is a must.
At Electron, our Customer Success team is learning on the go about the different requirements of FSPs. Those continuous learnings are being fed back into product development, ensuring new ways for smaller FSPs to participate.
5. Tech advances can help FSPs better allocate resources to flexibility services
Many FSPs operate with limited resources dedicated to flexibility services. This overarching challenge calls for simplification and standardisation in processes.
Streamlining operations and reducing complexity can help FSPs allocate their resources more effectively.
While the call for more resources is evident, the good news is that advances in technology and processes are making it possible to do more with less.
6. The value of flexibility services is growing
The value of flexibility services is on the rise – which is encouraging for all stakeholders, including FSPs.
ENWL grew its potential revenue pot for FSPs from £7M in the Spring 2024 tender to £12M in its Spring ’25 tender, and Electron has £1.2M of cumulative reserved flexibility value on ElectronConnect as of March 2025.
As the industry matures, there are also more locations with markets. That means new opportunities for assets in those areas to participate, increasing new revenue potential. ENWL has expanded from requirements from 29 locations in its Spring ’24 tender to 100 locations in its Spring ’25 tender.
This growth will not only benefit individual providers but also contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
These insights and learnings gathered from FSPs engaging with Electron underscore the importance of collaboration, standardisation in the right way, and user-centric solutions at the heart of the evolving energy landscape.
At Electron, we are committed to supporting FSPs by providing innovative and intuitive tools that enhance their participation. This can help grow the volumes of flexibility available for system operators to procure.
By taking the time to understand user needs, we can accelerate the move to a more efficient and sustainable energy future.
Read more
How flexibility providers can prepare to participate in a live market
If you’re signed up to participate in upcoming UK flexibility markets, here are some things you can prepare in advance.
Who can provide flexibility services into flex markets?
Here are some of the eligibility criteria that you may be required to meet to provide flexibility services in Great Britain.
Resources and useful links for flexibility providers in the UK
Here are some useful links to help you access the right resources, updates, and insights, to get started on your flexibility journey.
