Local flexibility as a planning tool for DSOs Copy
Nov 9, 2025
Distribution system operators are facing increasing pressure from electrification, variable generation, and constrained grid capacity. In many regions, traditional grid reinforcements are slow, costly, and difficult to permit. Local flexibility, delivered through battery energy storage, is emerging as a complementary planning tool.
Battery energy storage systems can provide fast, predictable response at specific points in the grid. For DSOs, this enables targeted support during peak demand, fault recovery, and periods of renewable variability without immediate physical upgrades.
Unlike conventional reinforcement, storage can be deployed incrementally and adjusted over time.
Capacity can be scaled, operational strategies refined, and assets relocated if grid conditions change. This flexibility aligns well with uncertainty in load forecasts driven by electric vehicles, heat pumps, and new industrial demand.
From an operational perspective, storage systems designed with DSOs in mind offer clear interfaces for data exchange, dispatch coordination, and performance monitoring. When integrated correctly, they support voltage control, congestion management, and local balancing while remaining compliant with grid codes and safety requirements.