controlling” role 9 , including flexibility providers such as electricity aggregators and chargepoint operators. Load controllers will become an increasingly important group of organisations as we transition to a smarter, more flexible energy system, yet they also present new and growing risks to the energy system and consumers. These risks will be catalysed by the electrification of heating and transport and align with those described in the 2019 Phase Two Call for evidence, such as cyber security, grid stability, and interoperability.
Further details regarding Government’s work on load controllers will be set out in the upcoming 2021 Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, and a Call for Evidence on regulating third party intermediaries in the retail energy market, due to be published shortly. Government will aim to consult in 2022 on an appropriate regulatory approach for flexibility service providers and other organisations controlling load. Similar to the approach described in the call for evidence, we will need to balance support for the development of flexibility with robust protection for consumers and the electricity system.
The factors proposed to help determine an appropriate decision point in the call for evidence continue to inform Government’s approach. Using smart meters for EV charging and alternative options The call for evidence outlined how the smart metering system could deliver a solution for EV smart charging. Government stated that the smart metering system has already demonstrated that it can achieve two of the four proposed smart charging policy objectives – consumer protection and grid protection, including cyber security. The smart metering solution was therefore proposed as the current lead option for delivering smart charging in Phase Two.
The call for evidence highlighted that there would however be some challenges to overcome if the smart metering system is to meet all smart charging policy objectives in a comprehensive way. A majority of respondents agreed that the smart metering system could be a good solution. Other respondents highlighted potential risks, such as isolating the UK market, or proposed suggestions for how the smart metering system could be improved to help it better deliver smart charging. The call for evidence also outlined potential alternative solutions for delivering smart charging in Phase Two.
The proposed alternatives included BSI standards for energy smart appliances, NIS (Network and Information Systems) regulations, ADE (Association of Decentralised Energy) Code of Conduct and work related to the Future Energy Retail Market Review. In response, some thought that an alternative solution could deliver on one or more of the Government’s smart charging policy objectives, although a high proportion didn’t provide a view. When asked to provide alternative options, some thought that market forces would deliver the best solution for smart charging, or suggested imposing specific minimum standards, such as OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol).
Since publishing the call for evidence, Government has undertaken work to further develop the smart metering option. In 2020, Government introduced enhanced proportional load control APC 10 functionality into the smart metering system, which allows greater granularity and precision in controlling loads such as electric vehicles. 9 Load controllers are organisations who provide products and services to control electricity usage using communication networks.
10 Auxiliary Proportional Controller - see consultation at https://smartenergycodecompany.co.uk/latest-news/beis- response-to-consultation-on-proportional-load-control-and-associated-smets-drafting-new-consultation-on-gbcs-and- chts-drafting/ 26