The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) is a
demand response
Demand response is a change in the power consumption of an electric utility customer to better match the demand for power with the supply. Until the 21st century decrease in the cost of pumped storage and batteries, electric energy could not b ...
system in the United Kingdom that was launched in January 2023, and ran until March 2023. Operated by
National Grid, the service allows electricity system operators in England, Scotland and Wales to access additional flexibility in the providing of power when demand is high, such as on winter days when outside temperatures are cold, and still air means less electricity is generated through
wind power
Wind power is the use of wind energy to generate useful work. Historically, wind power was used by sails, windmills and windpumps, but today it is mostly used to generate electricity. This article deals only with wind power for electricity ge ...
.
The scheme was launched following the
global energy crisis as energy prices experienced a sharp increase, and is designed to reward both domestic and some commercial customers with a
smart meter
A smart meter is an electronic device that records information—such as consumption of electric energy, voltage levels, current, and power factor—and communicates the information to the consumer and electricity suppliers. Advanced meterin ...
by offering them discounts on their energy bills for using less energy at specific times. The scheme involves 26 of the UK's energy providers. Following a series of experiments during late 2022, the scheme's first national application occurred at 5pm on 23 January 2023, when customers were asked to use less energy for an hour.
BBC News
BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs in the UK and around the world. The department is the world's largest broad ...
, reported that householders would be paid around £10 per time for saving electricity.
References
Demand response
Electric power in the United Kingdom
2023 establishments in the United Kingdom
January 2023 in the United Kingdom
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