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Support energy sustainability with Demand Side Response (DSR)

How DSR is helping the grid to be more energy efficient, and use less fossil fuels.

The structure and character of the power generation sector continues to change dramatically. We are in the midst of a revolution as power sources transition from dirty, fossil fuelled generation towards a cleaner, renewables led grid system.

But this transition creates many challenges for a system not built for a more distributed system of generation. The only way the grid will be able to cope with the nation’s drive to zero is to create a new flexible grid that is able to balance supply and demand; and the best way to do this is to encourage participation in demand side response services.

What role does DSR play?

In previous blogs we have talked about the range of benefits created by DSR solutions and the value they can bring to your organisation. Enabling cleaner ways of generating power is one of the most important system wide benefits that DSR can deliver. It unlocks hidden monetary value that you can reinvest in solutions such as CHP and solar, but most importantly, it helps the wider grid move away from gas and coal, by enabling a much more flexible electricity system to be in place; supporting intermittent renewables; reducing overall carbon emissions produced by your business and the system at large.

DSR encourages business customers to use power more efficiently and effectively, improving the National Grid’s ability to respond to fluctuations in demand. When national power supplies are tight, DSR gives energy users the choice of switching to on-site generators and lower their energy consumption.

For the environmentally responsible business, DSR offers four main but comprehensive  benefits:

  • Better control of energy costs
  • Improved energy security
  • Reduced emissions
  • Reduced dependence on fossil fuels

Meeting sustainability targets

Adopting DSR technology is a proactive approach to meeting sustainability objectives. In terms of sustainability, DSR manages electricity usage by responding to real levels of demand. This reduces wastage and saves businesses money as a result.

Energy security is improved as DSR allows businesses to use both energy storage and on-site generation. It promotes a more intelligent use of energy – improving overall sustainability and cost savings.

Energy consumption has always been a cost centre for business customers. DSR can help create an additional sustainable and competitive advantage by introducing new revenue streams.

Working with a DSR provider

The right partner can provide DSR optimisation technologies suitable for large energy users concerned with energy resilience, operational assets, industry assets and environmental systems. Providers can manage all aspects of a client’s on-site generation, including refrigeration, pumping and even air conditioning systems.

DSR providers can offer in-house expertise, simplify complexities involved with connecting different energy assets, and contribute to a business’s competitive advantage. As more companies start to take up DSR and the National Grid gains more flexibility, businesses can rely less on stand-by generation from fossil fuels.

Working from a single platform

Centrica Business Solutions, providers of DSR, has unveiled its vision for a cloud-based integrated solutions platform – a single portal that will give businesses full visibility and control of their energy estate.

The advantage of a single platform, accessible on a mobile phone, tablet or laptop, is that it provides comprehensive visibility of when, where, and how energy is consumed. This visibility is crucial for effective decision making such as turning some assets off or decreasing their output. DSR enables a business to react to changes in price levels or to  alerts issued by the National Grid. Energy sustainability can be achieved by cutting-back on energy usage or delaying such usage to times when the price of power is cheaper.