Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has joined forces with peer-to-peer energy firm, Open Utility, to trial a smart grid partnership.
As SSEN announce its intention to move from the traditional Distribution Operator Network (DNO) to a Distribution System Operator (DSO) the transition will allow access to new, often more local energy markets.
SSEN’s collaboration with Open Utility will the comapny trial Open Utility’s new ‘Piclo’ platform, a system that Open Utility claim will allow supply and demand that can be “balanced and traded at a local level”.
Op-en Utility also said that the trial partnership will “unlock new revenue streams for homes, businesses and communities”.
Steve Atkins, DSO transition manager for SSEN, said: “We are delighted to partner with Open Utility in support of their innovative Piclo platform which will provide invaluable insight to help inform our transition to a DSO and the new opportunities this will create for our customers through peer-to-peer and flexibility trading.
“As we continue the transition to a DSO, working in collaboration with key partners such as Open Utility will be crucial to learn the lessons required to support the shift to a smarter, flexible energy system that importantly, delivers for all customers.”
James Johnston, CEO and cofounder of Open Utility, added: “Unlike other industries like short-term rentals and taxi services, the energy sector cannot be transformed by an online marketplace acting alone, but through meaningful partnerships with incumbents working towards a common goal.
“We are uniquely positioned to understand the disruptive forces of digital technology and the evolving needs of the highly complex energy system. Our partnership with SSEN reflects this understanding.”
Late last year, Open Utility announced nearly half a million in funding from Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) department’s Energy Entrepreneur fund to develop it new online marketplace.
