Transmission cover image

Transmission

Locational pricing and decentralized energy with Sarah Honan (Head of Policy @ The ADE)

Sep 26, 2024
Sarah Honan, Head of Policy at the ADE, shares her insights on the future of energy pricing in the UK. She highlights the debate on zonal vs. national pricing and its implications for consumers and investments. The conversation emphasizes the need for demand flexibility to support a decentralized energy model. Honan discusses the role of the National Energy System Operator in implementing strategic changes and the importance of integrating decentralized energy assets. Their recent report advocates for an inclusive approach to meet future energy demands.
38:02

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Zonal pricing could significantly enhance the efficiency of the UK's energy system, potentially saving consumers £24 billion by optimizing distribution and integrating demand-side flexibility.
  • The transition to a National Energy System Operator necessitates regulatory reforms that promote transparency and inclusive access for new market participants in energy management.

Deep dives

The Cost of Inefficiency in Energy Management

Significant financial resources are being wasted on inefficient energy management strategies, particularly in the UK. In 2021, approximately £800 million was spent telling subsidized wind farms to turn off in order to utilize gas generation, a move that ultimately hindered the overall efficiency of the energy system. This inefficiency is likened to a tapestry, where each new policy thread attempts to integrate demand response into a system originally designed for centralized generation. As the infrastructure struggles to adapt to modern demands, these inefficiencies are not only a scandal but are evolving into a pressing crisis that needs immediate attention.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode