On Tuesday 24 January 2023, Regen’s Chief Executive, Merlin Hyman OBE gave evidence to the BEIS Select Committee on the subject of power decarbonisation and flexibility.
The discussion highlighted the role that flexibility can play in a net zero power system, the importance of demand side response, the success of battery storage to date, and the need to support investment in long duration storage and green hydrogen.
The key role of the system operator to create flexibility markets was raised, and the need for investment and digitalisation of the ESO control room to deal with a more dynamic and diverse energy system.
The session featured some good debate about the question of energy justice and the risk that some consumers could be left behind.
Then, inevitably, the discussion turned to the question of network connections and the need for accelerated investment in capacity and better queue management.
The session ended (see clip) with a discussion on what the panel wanted and didn’t want from REMA – with Merlin emphasising the need to “avoid Locational Marginal Pricing”.
You can view a clip of Merlin’s contribution below, or watch the full session on ‘the Decarbonisation of the Power Sector’ on Parliament Live here.