National Network, Local Connections Programme (NNLC)

• National Network, Local Connection Programme consultations

• Since launching in 2021, we have introduced the first local flexibility markets in Ireland and increased flexibility to provide new security of supply solutions.

Throughout the programme, we’ve introduced a range of innovative products, services, and initiatives to better serve our customers. Here are some highlights:

• Local flexibility markets: We’ve launched the first local flexibility markets with non-wires solutions. These markets help manage local electricity demand and improve our response to network faults or outages in three areas across the country.
• New flexibility market rules: We’ve simplified the rules to make it easier to participate in these new flexibility products.
• Flexible demand products: We’ve introduced flexible demand products for both commercial and domestic customers to support energy security during the upcoming winters.
• Predictive technology: Our new technology predicts demand and generation, making it easier for customers to engage in the wholesale market and DS3 System Services.
• Enhanced network monitoring: We’ve improved low voltage network monitoring, modelling, and mapping to give you better visibility of local network conditions. This will help homes and small businesses participate in flexibility at scale in the future.
• Future grid operating model: We’re working on a future grid operating model, including new protocols for monitoring, forecasting, market operations, operational planning, and activation.

Our multi-year plan, published in 2023, has been heavily influenced by stakeholder and customer feedback. The National Networks, Local Connections Programme will continue to roll out new flexible products and services in partnership with stakeholders and organisations. Our customer research, education, and recruitment initiatives will look to build customer participation and awareness of these products and services. Learn more about flexibility.

Some of the milestones we are currently working to deliver include:

• The launch of a new product to encourage location specific, medium duration, flexibility (for example commercial storage installations) through multi-year contracts.
• The launch of new products targeting flexible demand from extra-large energy users, and industrial or commercial customers with existing or planned electric heat facilities.
• The introduction of standard flexibility readiness technology requirements for new electric transport installations, including public and private electric vehicle chargers.
• Initial cross-sector product development, beginning with collaborative analysis to identify the potential for electricity-gas, electricity-heat, electricity-transport and electricity-water coupling.
• The creation of routes to market for energy communities to participate in local flexibility markets.
• The introduction of flexible connections for storage and demand customers.

• In 2020, ESB Networks established the National Network, Local Connection Programme to put in place the systems, processes, and capabilities needed to allow industry, customers, and communities across Ireland to participate in our move towards a carbon-free future. The goal is to maximise the use of renewable energy up to 80% of overall usage and beyond. The programme also aims to reduce peak electricity demand and improve electricity demand management in line with Ireland's Climate Action Plan.
• The programme is essential in reaching Ireland’s climate targets through increased use of renewables. It will also meet the rapidly rising demand driven by the electrification of heat and transport, while continuing to deliver a safe, secure electricity supply.
• ESB Networks’ National Network, Local Connections (NN,LC) Programme is a multi-year project that will transform how Ireland’s electricity is managed. In the decade ahead, all customers, from renewable generators to large energy users, to homes, farms and business customers will adopt new technologies, products, and services, changing how they generate, store, or consume electricity. With a growing focus on the use and storage of locally generated renewable electricity, the National Network, Local Connections Programme will ensure power can be forecast, monitored and managed at a local level. 
• Customers and communities across the country are becoming increasingly active in managing and controlling their own electricity usage. To that end, we are developing a distribution system that is safe and secure, taking into account new local and regional needs, and making a positive impact in the fight against climate change.

The most recent Climate Action Plan moves the focus to how individuals and communities use energy – especially renewable energy, rather than just large-scale generation. In support of Ireland’s Climate Action Targets, we have taken specific actions across sections of society which include:

Heating:

Promoting the use of heat pumps and other renewable heating. 

Phasing out of fossil-fuel heating systems such as oil and gas.

Transport: 

Initiatives to support switching to electric vehicles.

Investment in electrifying rail lines.

Power Generation: 

Supporting microgeneration in Ireland. Increasing our reliance on renewable energy sources to 80%, and facilitating and supporting new renewable energy technologies on and offshore.

Phasing out of coal and peat electricity generation. 

Empowering Customers: 

Encouraging communities to use renewable energy locally, from homes and sports clubs to community centres and churches.

Empowering customers with the introduction of new services to support the activities of renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities. We are providing customers “visibility” of their local renewable energy sources, carbon intensity, and the impact of how they manage their demand for electricity. 

These changes will support increased electrification of products and services for homes, farms and businesses across Ireland.

We have introduced flexible demand initiatives to increase renewable generation and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. ESB Networks is working to deliver a smart and sustainable distribution system, enabling smarter planning, operations and flexibility as well as providing network capacity to ensure a secure, reliable and resilient network is in place.

Yes, the National Network, Local Connections Programme is developing smarter, more flexible network solutions. ESB Networks is continuing to explore flexibility markets for our customers who are able and willing to take control of how much electricity they generate or consume. For more information on flexibility and how ESB Networks is supporting.