SolarEdge Launches its First Battery Virtual Power Plant Supporting Great Britain’s National Grid ESO Demand Flexibility Service

LONDON, UK (February 07, 2023) – SolarEdge Technologies, Inc., a global leader in smart energy technology, today announced the launch of its first Battery Virtual Power Plant supporting Great Britain’s National Grid ESO Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) in collaboration with leading UK energy infrastructure company Smart Metering Systems Plc. (SMS-plc).  The service is available to thousands of SolarEdge Home Battery owners across Great Britain with eligible smart meters, that are now able to earn financial incentives utilizing their stored battery energy during DFS peak demand events, which will be used to stabilize the grid.

As part of the DFS, energy suppliers have been asking participating customers to reduce their electricity consumption during pre-scheduled demand events. Starting today, SolarEdge Home Battery owners will be able to seamlessly minimize their grid consumption during each event and earn financial incentives by leveraging their stored battery energy. In addition, battery owners with an eligible export meter can earn even higher financial incentives by exporting their excess battery energy back into the grid. SolarEdge’s innovative technology will automatically optimize the battery charge and discharge during each demand event, maximizing homeowner benefits while helping to stabilize the grid.

Meir Adest, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at SolarEdge, commented: “This is a prime example of the transformational impact that battery storage can have in future grid stabilization and how homeowners can play their part. SolarEdge is dedicated to improving the ways energy is generated, stored and consumed and we believe that advances in solar and storage technologies are key to unlocking value at both the local and grid level. Our innovative technology simplifies the participation in demand response programs in a way that is smarter, more intuitive and more profitable for system owners.”

Christelle Barnes, UK Country Manager at SolarEdge, added: “With the residential solar and storage market in Great Britain rapidly growing, we believe the DFS battery Virtual Power Plant can help further accelerate adoption by providing homeowners with an additional revenue generator. Homeowners can sit back and passively earn more income without having to even change their energy consumption. With electricity prices continuing to soar, the financial business case for solar and storage becomes even more attractive.”

Mark Hamilton, Managing Director FlexiGrid at SMS plc, said: “SMS are delighted to be partnering with SolarEdge to bring its UK battery customers into the Demand Flexibility Service through our FlexiGrid aggregation platform. Batteries will play an increasingly important role in Demand Side Response programmes, where demand response actions are automated to deliver value to the end customer, while supporting grid stability. Automated Demand Response will significantly increase the volume and efficiency of domestic participation in DSR compared to consumer-driven behavioural change, and SolarEdge are leading the charge by being the first battery manufacturer to bring their customers into the DFS programme.”