Flex Markets Unlocked Innovation Programme (closed to applications)
This innovation programme aims to support the design and development of innovative technical solutions that can facilitate system-wide coordination and standardisation across multiple flexibility markets.
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Details
Update 21 November 2023
We have published the successful projects for this Programme.
The Flex Markets Unlocked Innovation Programme, of up to £2.6 million, aims to support the design and development of innovative technical solutions that can facilitate system-wide coordination, standardisation, and revenue stacking across multiple flexibility markets (markets within which flexibility can be bought or sold). This will allow a more diverse and competitive marketplace, unlocking flexibility.
The programme consists of 2 phases:
- Phase 1 (up to £600,000 funding available) expects to fund 3 feasibility studies to develop robust technical specifications for proposed technical solutions
- Phase 2 (up to £2 million funding available) expects to fund one project to develop and demonstrate their technical solution
How to apply
This competition closed to applications on 7 August 2023.
We held an online information event in July 2023 to provide more information on this funding opportunity, and a session in 2022 on how to apply to Flexibility Innovation Programme grant funded and Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competitions via Smart Survey: see the session presentation.
The DESNZ flexibility innovation collaboration platform was available to find collaboration partners to support applications.
Background
In order to decarbonise the power system by 2035, maintain security of supply, and achieve net zero at the least cost by 2050, we must transition to a smart and flexible electricity system. Key to achieving a smart and flexible energy system will be harnessing the value of distributed energy resources (DER) like storage, electric vehicles and heat pumps. Progress has been made to unlock the flexibility potential of DER, and this competition will build on existing work to date. It will explore whether further benefits can be achieved through innovative technical solutions to enable DER to participate in markets, and provide system-wide flexibility in large volumes, allowing a more diverse and competitive marketplace – unlocking flexibility
This programme is part of the overarching Flexibility Innovation Programme which seeks to enable electricity system flexibility through smart, flexible, secure, and accessible technologies and markets. The Flexibility Innovation Programme funds innovation across a range of key smart energy applications, and sits within the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).
Last updated 21 November 2023 + show all updates
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This competition is closed to applications.
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Added clarification questions with responses.
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Added slides from Flex Markets Unlocked information day 13 July 2023.
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Added registration details for an event on 13 July 2023 which will provide information about this competition.
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First published.