National Grid DSO announced on 3 July 2026 that it is launching a new flexibility service, Responder, which asks customers and flexibility providers to move electricity use earlier in the day ahead of forecast storms1. The operator says it plans to procure the service in summer 2026, with delivery running from September 2026 to March 20271.
The service gives the operator access to flexible demand turn-up (DTU) across its entire licence area ahead of storm events1. National Grid DSO says this is the first time a DSO is procuring flexibility at scale across its whole network, rather than in specific Constraint Management Zones (CMZs)1. It builds on the operator's existing Operational Utilisation (OU) product and on a previous trial, StormFlex, run by SP Energy Networks1.
Under the arrangements described, customers and flexibility providers will be asked to bring forward electricity use into earlier time windows ahead of forecast events1. The operator lists examples including charging electric vehicles, pre-heating homes, running appliances, or completing industrial processes before a storm arrives1. It says the service also supports customers in preparing for potential power interruptions by ensuring key equipment, vehicles and energy storage are ready for use1.
The operator explains the reasoning behind the timing. During storms, damage to the network may require alternative operating arrangements to maintain supplies and, while essential, these can place additional strain on otherwise healthy assets; Responder is intended to reduce that risk by lowering demand during critical periods1. National Grid DSO says the service will also provide insight into how flexibility could support resilience objectives in future regulatory periods1.
"We are launching a new innovative flexibility service designed to strengthen network resilience during severe weather events by encouraging customers to shift electricity use ahead of forecast storms."
Cathy McClay, Managing Director at National DSO, said Responder was "an exciting step forward in the evolution of flexibility services" and would help the operator better understand how flexibility can support customers and system operators in preparing for extreme weather events1. She said the aim was to create "a strong and attractive opportunity for flexibility providers"1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Service name | Responder1 |
| What it does | Access to flexible demand turn-up across the whole licence area ahead of forecast storms1 |
| Examples of shifted use | Charging electric vehicles, pre-heating homes, running appliances, completing industrial processes1 |
| Procurement | Summer 20261 |
| Delivery period | September 2026 to March 20271 |
| Predecessors | Operational Utilisation (OU) product; StormFlex trial by SP Energy Networks1 |
Why it matters for households
The service is aimed at customers and flexibility providers rather than being a general public warning scheme, and the announcement does not set out how individual households would be contacted or which areas will take part; those details have not been reported1. The change described is that electricity use would be brought forward into earlier time windows before a forecast storm, rather than cut during it1. The operator says this can leave key equipment, vehicles and energy storage ready for use if supplies are interrupted1. For general background on how storms affect supplies, see storms and the electricity network, the storms and snow hub and the power cuts hub.
National Grid gives emergency contact details for power cuts: 0800 6783 105 or 105, and 0800 096 3080 for general enquiries between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday1.
What happens next
Procurement of the service is planned for summer 2026, with delivery from September 2026 to March 20271. No further dates for publication of provider or participant details have been reported1.
Sources (1)
- National Grid DSO - News & Events - Article, dso.nationalgrid.co.uk
Storms and the Electricity Grid
