Ch-ch-changes – demand side and the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism

This week saw the release of the SEM Committee (SEMC) decision on T-1 2019/20 Capacity Auction Parameters and Enduring De-rating Methodology (SEM-18-030). This was then followed up by SEM-O releasing the Initial Auction Information Pack and qualification pack for the December auction. The first Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) took place in December 2017 for the T-1 2018/19 delivery year. The lower capacity price (than under the existing Capacity Payment Mechanism) and treatment of constraints emphasised the level of change in how capacity is allocated under the new trading arrangements.

This week’s blog discusses the impacts of the changes to the auction parameters for the T-1 2019/20.

Related thinking

Energy storage and flexibility

Glory Days – T-1 auction clears at £45/kW

To say the T-1 Capacity Market (CM) auction clearing at £45/kW per year was a surprise feels like an understatement. It looks like a major windfall for successful participants in the auction –  many are asking just what happened? Easy money Until February, it looked like prices would clear at...

Low carbon generation

Flexible Asset PPAs – more capacity, more competition

The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market for flexible assets in the last six months has both grown in size and seen increased levels of competition as new offtakers and optimisers make themselves known in the market. What do we mean by the PPA market for flexible assets? We mean the...

Low carbon generation

Lessons from a lock down

We are all facing a new, simpler existence. For my part, I have been self-isolated for three weeks. My little flat in central London has become almost my entire existence, my days have settled into a simple routine, and I've had plenty of time to reflect. Although COVID-19 presents an...

Low carbon generation

Editor’s Pick | The green shoots of the Capacity Market auctions

A pivotal year for the Capacity Market (CM) draws to a close, with the first long-term auctions for capacity since 2018. But for once the CM is the least interesting thing happening in the market, and the scheme itself seems out of step with the net zero future. In this Energy...

Energy storage and flexibility

Caught in the balance: Assessing amber alerts in the SEM

SEMO announced on 21 January that it was issuing an amber alert. This happens when the system margin is at a level where a trip of the largest in-feed would give rise to a reasonable possibility of either a failure to meet system demand, or cause a significant deviation in system...

Low carbon generation

Winds of change: Analysing SEM wind forecast accuracy

Following the publication of the Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios (TES) 2019, we can expect to see greater penetration of wind generation in the coming 20 years, with installed capacity forecast between 6.0GW to 8.2GW by 2040. As the growth in wind generation continues, forecasting wind accurately will become increasingly important in order to...

Low carbon generation

The day after tomorrow: Onshore wind capacity

The Irish transmission system operator, EirGrid, published its Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios (TES) 2019 Report on 18 October. In this edition of the blog, we explore how an increase in installed onshore wind capacity will affect the Irish electricity grid based on three credible 2040 pathways set out by EirGrid. Click here to...

Energy storage and flexibility

A pivotal play?

On the 4 November, EDF Renewables UK agreed to acquire Pivot Power. Pivot Power is a UK start-up which aims to build 50MW batteries connected to the Transmission Network and provide rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) charging nearby. The firm announced plans in 2018 to develop up to 2GW of batteries connected...