• • • EDITOR’S CHOICE • • •
New IT interface widens balancing mechanism access for smaller generators
S
maller providers can more easily access Great Britain’s balancing mechanism (BM) market from this week following the successful
rollout of a new IT interface. National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO)’s new wider access
application programming interface (API) went live in its national control room yesterday, opening up the market for non-traditional participants to join through a more simple, cost-effective, web-based route. The API introduces a new way for providers to connect and
communicate in real-time with the ESO’s systems and the BM, as an alternative to the fixed line connections that providers have traditionally used for electronic data transfer (EDT) and electronic dispatch logging (EDL). It marks an innovative way of enabling new technologies to complement the ESO’s established core network. Market participants can develop their own API solutions to interface
with the ESO’s new API, with the ESO providing a secure development and testing environment, and certification on completion. On Thursday Tesla became the first user to go live with the new API, using its automated real-time trading and control platform Autobidder to manage first-time BM access for the 7.5 MW / 15 MWh Holes Bay battery energy storage plant commissioned by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) and Harmony Energy in Dorset. The asset successfully went live in the balancing mechanism early
afternoon, and has already been dispatched by the ESO control room to help balance the system. The API rollout marks the latest development in the ESO’s plans to
remove barriers to access for a wide range of providers, and to boost the real-time flexibility of the system. Last year the ESO and ELEXON lowered the minimum threshold for
taking part in the BM from 100MW to 1MW, to enable entry for smaller and aggregated units in regional networks. And in April, Flexitricity became the first provider to take advantage of
wider access changes to register in the BM as a virtual lead party (VLP) – a new type of market participant exempt from needing a supply licence or paying use of system charges (BSUoS and TNUoS). Roisin Quinn, head of national control and chief engineer at National
Grid ESO, said: “As we shift away from fossil fuel generation to cleaner, decentralised power, new opportunities are emerging to diversify our energy mix and make our electricity system smarter and more flexible. “Our wider access initiative is helping to drive that change. We’re
pleased to see our latest developments go live this week, with Tesla using our new API to enable a new provider to access the balancing mechanism for the first time. “The API will open the market to a wider range of providers and
technologies, increase competition for balancing services and bring better value for consumers – and it will take us a step closer to being able to operate the grid with zero carbon by 2025.” Peter Kavanagh, CEO of Harmony Energy, said: “We are delighted to be
working with FRV and Tesla and to be the first project come into the GB balancing mechanism using National Grid ESO’s new wider access API. The API creates a new opportunity to lower costs and barriers to market participation and we are excited about the role this can play in unlocking the full power of battery storage and renewable energy in achieving a decarbonized society.” Felipe Hernández, managing director engineering and asset
management of FRV, said:“Opening of the BM to new participants through the new API is an exciting moment for renewable and zero carbon flexibility technologies. With the increasing market demand for flexibility services, continued progress on National Grid ESO reforms and technological improvements are the best way to allow the participation of new technologies in the BM and other flexibility services. The participation of FRV on this project with Harmony and Tesla as partners, is another successful achievement resulting from FRV's commitment with its stakeholders and its continuous search for innovation.”
44 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2020
C&K expands illuminated keyswitch offering with smooth tactile feedback version
C
&K, the manufacturer of high reliability electromechanical switches, has
developed an illuminated keyswitch series that offers smooth, positive tactile feedback with a clear tactile sound for superior ergonomics and ease of use. The D6 Series illuminated keyswitch features an integrated LED, reducing costs and simplifying the design of the illumination path. As a result, the D6 Series is used in a wide range of panel applications including appliances, electronic games, industrial, medical, security and video, test equipment, and more. The illuminated D6 Series keyswitch simplifies customisation and integration.
The keyswitch is designed to enable easy X, Y coding on a single side PCB. In addition, the D6 Series provides direct actuation without interface. The illuminated keyswitch is available in a wide range of colours, including
bi colours. “Most modern electrical control panel and systems require illuminated
keyswitches to properly communicate with the user. The D6 Series offers clear visual signalling through a variety of colours and styles options, making it easy to match this switch to most any product design requirements,” said Cedric Garropin, C&K’s global product manager. The D6 Series offers a mechanical life up to 100K cycles. The switch has an operating temperature of -20°C to 60°C.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
New EVSE kits cuts the cost of coming back
back on the road. Post COVID19 there has been lots of chatter that the electric cars’ time has come” The kit called the EV contractors kit includes the class-leading multi-function
B
tester, MI3152, which will test your EVSE installations and all your other work, single- and three-phase, using the super touch-screen technology and on-board results storage, the well accepted EVSE adapter A1532, which facilitates testing of all makes of charging equipment both single- and three-phase and the power- ful MESM Pro software, which will enabling you to produces EVSE certificates as well as all the 18th Edition you require. Released in late August, this unique kit will list price at only £ 1597 a saving of almost £1000 on buying the individual components.
rendan Beaver from Metrel the EVSE experts says, “We are releasing a new EVSE testing kit that will save you lots of cash and help get your business
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