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Flexible Demand Connections

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Product overview

A dynamic flexible connection allows businesses in areas of constraint connect to the electricity network or increase MIC sooner than otherwise feasible. In return, these businesses agree to temporarily reduce demand when instructed, under agreed conditions. What is important to ESB Networks is that the customer proves their ability to reduce demand when instructed.

  • Increased capacity supports business growth while additional network capacity is being built.

  • Minor operational changes are usually enough to stay within agreed demand limits.

  • Participating helps maintain a stable and efficient electricity system.

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What is a Dynamic Flexible Connection?  

Flexibility or flexible demand is the ability to adjust electricity use in response to changes in supply and demand. As Ireland moves toward Net Zero, we need to transform not only how we generate and store electricity, but also how we use it. Clean energy depends on smarter consumption, and flexible demand helps the system respond to varying levels of generation, usage, storage, and network conditions. 

 

A dynamic flexible connection applies this idea at a business level. It enables your site to be connected to the network or increase your MIC with certain conditions, linked to your peak electricity use, allowing you to access a higher electricity supply limit sooner in constrained areas. In return, you agree to operate flexibly when instructed, supporting safe and reliable network operation while enabling your business to grow. This arrangement is temporary and becomes a firm connection once network upgrades are completed. 

Key elements

  • Demand limit: You agree to a maximum level of ​ electricity you can use. ​ 

  • Conditions: ESB Networks may instruct you to reduce ​ consumption during high-demand periods to help ​manage network constraints. ​ 

  • It is temporary: As soon as capital reinforcements ​are in place you will be moved to a firm connection.​ This may be a fit for your business based on your ​current energy usage, peak demand times, and ​operational flexibility.

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How it works?

With a Dynamic Flexible Connection, your business is given a firm level of electricity import and an additional flexible amount. If you already have a firm MIC, this remains unchanged and any extra capacity is flexible. For new connections, the supply may be fully flexible or a mix of minimal firm and flexible capacity. 

 

You can use the flexible capacity at all times, except during periods of network constraint. When instructed by ESB Networks, you must temporarily reduce demand back to your firm MIC. Once the constraint period ends, full access to the flexible capacity is restored. 

 

This allows your business to access additional electricity sooner while supporting the safe operation of the electricity network. 

 

Example: 
Your business has a firm import capacity of 2MVA and applies for an additional 1MVA. Due to local network constraints, ESB Networks cannot provide this as firm capacity immediately and instead offers the additional 1MVA as flexible. 

 

You retain full access to your existing 2MVA at all times. During periods of network constraint, ESB Networks may instruct you to reduce demand back to 2MVA for a set period. Once the constraint period ends, you can again use the full 3MVA.

Key Benefits

  • A quicker alternative to waiting for firm capacity: Enables connection or electricity supply increases even when no firm capacity is currently available, offering a faster route for business growth. 

  • More flexibility for production or operations: An increased or new flexible electricity supply gives you the ability to use more electricity during normal operations without facing penalties 

  • Improved long-term energy efficiency: Operating flexibly can help avoid costly or inefficient workarounds required to stay within a lower electricity supply  

  • Operational flexibility with minimal disruption: Small temporary changes, such as shifting processes or reducing non-essential usage when requested, can keep your business within agreed limits.  

  • Supports the wider electricity network: By reducing demand during busy periods, you help maintain reliability and stabilise the network. 

  • Helps meet sustainability goals: Lowering demand at critical times contributes to reduced carbon emissions, supports cleaner energy use, and helps reduce the need for additional less efficient power generation.  

 

Overall, a flexible demand connection allows you to run your business at full capacity, where the network capacity is available, while still benefitting from a quicker connection / increased MIC. It offers a practical, win-win way to support your growth while contributing to a more efficient and reliable electricity network.