Balancing Services
We have a number of services to ensure there is enough electricity to meet everyone’s needs across Great Britain and keep the electricity system secure and reliable.
Whether you’re a provider looking to access our markets or you’re new to balancing services and would like to know more, you can find further information below.
If you're looking to supply balancing services, find the information you need to participate.
If you're new to balancing services, start here. Our interactive game will give you a better understanding of supply and demand across the grid.
Existing services
Demand Flexibility Service
This innovative new service offers incentives for flexing the times when consumers use electricity, helping us to manage the electricity system during peak demand.
Frequency response
We ensure there is sufficient generation and demand to control system frequency. Services include new Dynamic Response, Mandatory Frequency Response and Firm Frequency Response.
Reserve services
These services provide us with access to sources of extra power when it's needed the most. Our reserve services are designed to deliver power across a range of timescales.
Local Constraint Market
We are exploring the development of a new Local Constraint Market to access new sources of flexibility to help manage one of our most constrained boundaries.
System security services
Read about the techniques and services we use to help maintain the security and quality of electricity supply across Britain's transmission system.
Reactive power services
These services help us ensure voltage levels on the system stay within a specific range. We instruct generators or other asset owners to either absorb or generate reactive power.
Trading
Access trade information data, trading instruments and requirements for trading.
Electricity System Restoration Standard
A successful path to zero carbon necessitates changes to our existing Electricity System Restoration preparation arrangements.
Network Services
Network Services job is to keep the grid stable at all times so we can deliver safe and reliable electricity.
Stability market
The Stability Markets allow NESO to secure operation of the network at lowest cost to consumers.
Battery storage
There is a growing role for batteries in the future, with our forecasts seeing a need for four or five times the capacity we have today by 2030.
Skip rates
Skip rates help measure the efficiency and decision-making processes in operations, highlighting areas where improvements can be made to optimise performance and transparency.
Future services
Future frequency response products
See how we're developing new, faster-acting frequency response products as part of a new suite of services.
Future of reserve services
A flexible system that makes the best use of all the energy resources available to meet our customers needs.
Future of reactive power
We're exploring potential solutions to improve our reactive power services, which will help to address the challenges we are facing for system voltage control.
Thermal Constraints Collaboration Project
The Constraints Collaboration Project allows NESO and industry to find solutions for thermal constraints, and deliver results in the short term.
More about Balancing services
Settlements
Everything you need to know about settlements, including how to change your details, raising a dispute and an explanation of charges and payments.
Balancing Mechanism Wider Access
Find out how we are widening access to the Balancing Mechanism, helping us to transform Britain's energy mix towards a zero carbon energy system.
Power Responsive
A stakeholder-led programme created to stimulate increased participation in flexible technologies such as Demand Side Response (DSR) and storage.
ENA general flexibility service terms
Our Balancing Services contracts incorporate certain clauses from the applicable version of the Energy Networks Association (ENA) common flexibility service terms and conditions document. The ENA publishes all flexibility services documents on their website:
Visit the ENA's flexibility services page
View the flexibility services general terms and conditions
Enabling technology
Single Markets Platform (SMP)
The Single Markets Platform provides access to NESO markets. Get our SMP user guide, access to video tutorials and details of our workshops.
Enduring Auction Capability (EAC)
The EAC platform will be used for order submission, running the algorithm to clear the auction, and send results back to providers. Find out more here.