Skip to main navigation

Our response to coronavirus

Find out how we're working to keep the lights on in Great Britain throughout COVID-19.
Read more
Home
UK
  • Group PLC
  • NG in the UK
  • NG in the US
  • About us
  • Stories
  • Electricity Transmission
  • Gas Transmission
  • ESO
  • Careers
  • Media
  • Contact us
Solar panel on roof of house

ESO: Pioneering project sees Cornish homes supply green energy to the grid

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

21st October 2019 - Community spirit

World first sees National Grid ESO working with Western Power Distribution to allow homes and businesses in Cornwall to sell excess clean energy through Centrica’s Cornish Local Energy Market.

ESO logo

National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) and Western Power Distribution are collaborating to trial a world first scheme, allowing homes and businesses in Cornwall to sell green energy back to the grid through Centrica’s Cornish Local Energy Market. One hundred homes and 150 businesses, equipped with solar panels and batteries have been harnessed together to act as a virtual, mini power plant for the local energy network and the National Grid ESO.

When the weather is sunny these homes and businesses can either store excess energy for later, or sell it back to provide extra clean energy to the system. By storing energy, homes and businesses can be more flexible in their energy use – reducing it when demand is high in return for payment and increasing it when excess supply is available. This helps National Grid ESO to balance the UK’s energy network.

“As we move towards our 2025 ambition of being able to operate the British electricity system carbon free, we are seeing more renewable generation come online – such as wind and solar –  which requires increased flexibility to balance the grid. Initiatives such as the Cornwall scheme help us deliver secure, sustainable and affordable electricity – softening peaks in demand and filling in the troughs, especially at times when more power is available. And it’s cleaner too. Even though we’re in the early stages of the trial, we’re looking forward to evaluating the results,” explains Colm Murphy, Electricity Market Change Development Manager, National Grid ESO.

This project is part of National Grid ESO’s drive to participate in more intelligent energy use and technology. Another example of this is Demand Side Response (DSR), which helps businesses increase, decrease or shift their electricity use to help balance the electricity system. Businesses receive financial incentives to manage their energy use flexibly, but this initiative also helps them to reduce their carbon footprint and plays a part in helping the UK to transition to a low carbon energy system.

The Cornwall trial is the first in what could become a nationwide network of flexible smart grids providing clean energy to help Britain reach its target to become a carbon net zero economy by 2050.

Similar reading

For National Grid STEM skills story Group : Community spirit

STEM skills sessions inspire engineers of the future

Groups of young people from all over Britain came together last week, to test their STEM skills in real life engineering situations in a pioneering programme.

Read article
For National Grid Metering story about helping elderly during COVID lockdown Ventures : Community spirit

National Grid Metering supports elderly throughout Coronavirus lockdowns

A friendly voice calling for a regular chat has made all the difference to elderly residents of Solihull. National Grid Metering has partnered with Age UK Solihull through the lockdowns, to bring a bit of joy into lonely and vulnerable people’s lives.

Read article
For 'National Grid named one of the world's most ethical companies' story Group : Community spirit

National Grid named one of the world’s most ethical companies

We have been recognised as one of the ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ in 2021 – for the 10th time. We are one of only nine utility companies globally to receive this accolade.

Read article

Safety and emergencies

  • Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999
  • Power cuts? Call 105
  • Power lines? Call 0800 40 40 90
National Grid
© National Grid 2021

Connect with us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • youtube
  • Connect with us
    • Contact us
    • Media contacts
  • About us
    • Electricity System Operator
    • Electricity Transmission
    • Gas Transmission
    • UK Leadership team
  • Work for us
    • Careers UK
    • Careers US
  • Safety and emergencies
    • Power cuts
    • Smell gas?
  • Our policies
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Modern slavery statement
    • Accessibility
    • Cookie policy
  • More from National Grid
    • Stories
    • Investors
    • Energy explained
    • Suppliers
    • Pay your bill (US)
© National Grid 2021
Top