Energy transition explained

A local part of the network that can be operated independently of the national grid.

A service used to keep an electricity grid in balance. The primary purpose is to continually: (1) balance the supply and demand, and (2) maintain system frequency. This reserve is activated automatically. The use of FRRs enables activated FCRs to deactivate and be ready to use in case of new disturbances.

The process by which customers switch energy supplier automatically. In effect a ‘switching as a service’ proposition. The auto-switcher typically charges a small fee to the customer for monitoring the tariff that a customer is on and makes recommendations to ensure the customer is always on the best tariff for their consumption.

This uses oxygen and carbon dioxide or steam in a reaction with natural gas (methane) to produce syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide). It’s a process to produce hydrogen.

Typically refers to a back-up supply of electricity for a specific building to provide power in the case of a power outage. They can be domestic, commercial or industrial and run typically on diesel or natural gas.

The process of matching energy demand and supply. Transmission System Operators are responsible for balancing energy through auctions in which facility operators are bidding based on the energy that they can produce or consume from the grid. Gas Distribution Networks also provide energy system balancing by managing the within-day storage of gas for heat in buildings, power generation, transport and industry.

Baseload power plants provide relatively constant electricity supply to a grid. They are typically plants that cannot change their output easily like nuclear power plants. Base load generation cannot meet the varying electricity demand over a typical day and need to be accompanied by more flexible generation capacity.

An asset located behind a demand meter on a customer site.

Types of organic fuels produced from the decomposition of organic waste i.e. food or animal waste through the process of anaerobic digestion. Biogas is used to generate electricity in gas engines but isn't very efficient or flexible. Biomethane is upgraded biogas that goes into the gas grid where it can be more flexibly and efficiently used in any sector.

Combining up to 20% hydrogen with natural gas into the mains gas grid.

Through the use of bi-directional charging infrastructure, Boat-to-Grid technology would allow electric vessels to not only consume power but also feed power back into the grid at times of high demand.

Diagnosing and remedying boiler issues.