Flexibility Taxonomy: Defining a shared language for flexibility

Flexibility will be essential for delivering a low cost, equitable, resilient Net Zero energy system. Those working to accelerate its adoption need a common language to define it, so Energy Systems Nexus has published a Flexibility Taxonomy document that is now available below as a free download.

It is the first collaborative piece of R&D funded by UK National Nuclear Laboratory and E.ON, the founding partners of Energy System Nexus, through a project called FlexMix.

The document provides technical definitions and everyday descriptions to describe key elements of the energy system that provide flexibility, including ‘aggregator’ and ‘microgrids’ to ‘front of meter’ and ‘virtual power plants’. It also maps how these elements connect and interact.

Grant Tuff, Consultant Engineer at Energy Systems Catapult, said:

“Productive conversations, collaborations and strategy on flexibility rely on us having a common understanding of flexible technologies and the services that they provide. We hope this resource will support stakeholders and supply chain partners across the energy system, and enable further R&D in flexibility.”

On 3 December, we are hosting a webinar to introduce the Flexibility Taxonomy report. We will also present a conceptual framework to think about flexibility, how it might be enabled and the opportunities and challenges of doing so. You can register for the webinar here.