Large flextender Liander (750 MW) shows potential flexible capacity
Liander is marketing a large flextender of 750 MW, which is equivalent to some 280,000 sustainable new construction homes. Depending on the local need, they can offer, for example, a battery, gas or (bio)diesel generation system.
Energy Storage NL is pleased with this great step. We are therefore happy to share Liander's appeal: ‘Market parties can sign up and make flexible power available to Liander for a fee, for a period of ten years.' The measure is part of the connection offensive. This approach aims to make better use of the congested grid with an accelerated approach. In cooperation with governments, grid operators and industries, Energy Storage NL has collaborated on eight breakthroughs. One of these breakthroughs is realizing regional tenders for flexible deployment by issuing at least four regional tenders by 2026.
The importance of flextenders
ESNL sees location incentives with a flextender as an essential means of effectively addressing congestion. A flextender is a freely available tender for new upward regulating power that can be deployed by grid operators on demand. In this way, additional power can be provided in congestion areas to relieve off-take congestion.
Flextenders explicitly rely on market forces to address grid congestion. However, it is then important to also consult the market on the optimal design of the measure. Therefore, in addition to the connection offensive, ESNL is also working closely with Stedin to better align flextenders with the needs of storage developers. This blueprint will then serve as a guide for new flextenders. Storage has great potential as a cost-effective and rapidly scalable source of upscalable power. Flextenders offer a good opportunity for the business case of storage developers. However, flex contracts (CSC, TDTR) also remain essential for existing and new customers. Here, coordination between flextenders and market instruments is particularly important.
Energy Storage NL position: market-oriented and CO2-free
Energy Storage NL advocates approaching flexibility from a system perspective. Deploy flextenders, but tailor them to the needs and preconditions of the market; only then can they achieve maximum effect. Energy Storage NL also calls on other grid managers to put flextenders on the market and to steer as much as possible towards CO2-free solutions by including criteria that prevent additional CO2 emissions and stimulate CO2-free solutions.
