Single Electricity Market

  • Low carbon generation

    De-minimis benefits and the law of unintended consequences

    In this blog, we explore the effects of changing to gross demand under I-SEM on small-scale generators. Projects below 10MW, termed “de minimis” in the Single Electricity Market (SEM), are not required to actively trade. Instead, they enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a supplier to be absorbed...

  • Low carbon generation

    Scale of the DS3 market: Great Expectations or For Whom the Bell Tolls?

    This week Eirgrid announced a delay in the volume capped DS3 procurement of a subset of system services for high availability technologies (e.g. demand side units, batteries, flywheels). With this delay and the current Storm Emma related high winds, it is a relevant time to consider the potential impact of...

  • Low carbon generation

    Ireland’s thermal plants sail into probing wind

    The level of wind penetration in Ireland is one of the highest in Europe. This has already had some major impacts on the market, including depressed wholesale prices; reduced running hours for some thermal plants; and curtailment of wind output. This week’s blog considers wider interactions of wind generation with...

  • Regulation and policy

    Impasse at Stormont – what now for Northern Ireland energy policy?

    Power-sharing talks between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) collapsed on 14 February, meaning continued uncertainty on the future policy direction for Northern Ireland (NI). This lack of surety extends into energy. There is a clear sectoral policy gap; the need for an update to the 2010 Strategic...

  • Low carbon generation

    CRM auction: age isn’t everything

    Media reports in Ireland and Northern Ireland are raising concerns over the possibility of power plant closures. The threatened shutdowns arise due to the outcome of the T-1 Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) auction. The closures may commence as early as May 2018 if the coverage is to be believed. How...