Frameworks for future systems and network regulation

Frameworks for future systems and network regulation: IET comments to OFGEM on 17 May 2023.

This response is provided by the FPSA Group, an informal collaboration of experts from the Energy Systems Catapult and The Institution of Engineering and Technology, with wide experience across the whole energy system. The Group was formed around the Future Power System Architecture (FPSA) programme and is now actively supporting energy system transformation in pursuit of Net Zero.

We welcome Ofgem’s review of future network regulation, and Ofgem’s recognition that electricity transmission and distribution grids are a potential obstacle to Net Zero. But it is not enough to just remove obstacles.

In our view, the transition to Net Zero, with affordable, secure energy supplies, cannot be realised without fundamental change to the way that electricity networks are planned, operated, and regulated. It is critical that future network regulation must enable the whole system transformation necessary to enable the ‘just energy transition’ to Net Zero.

We conclude our recommendations and answer your call for input in the following report.