Another record month for Demand Response in Ireland

 By Dennis Hintz, Demand Response Operations Analyst - Ireland, Enel X

The Irish grid is no stranger to calling on demand response providers. They’re the first line of defence against negative grid margins that would otherwise threaten the integrity of the transmission network. By offsetting the variable nature of renewable sources, such as wind and solar, demand response is also a crucial enabler for the energy transition.

 

Demand response – or demand-side flexibility – allows large energy users to adjust how much power they use when the grid is under pressure. By doing so, they help prevent blackouts, keep costs down, and enable more renewable energy to flow through the system.

 

October was one of those months where the weather doesn’t always oblige, and particularly so in the week starting on Monday 13^th. The weather forecast looked promising, but EirGrid’s System Margin Outlook from Monday 13^th October indicated some potential challenges for the week.

 

However, from the Monday onwards expected wind speeds failed to materialise, and there is virtually no solar generation during peak hours during winter months. This added pressure to an already tight System Margin, further reduced renewable output and increased demand heading into the peak period.

 

These are precisely the kinds of conditions that present serious challenges for any grid operator – a forecast of low wind generation, an unexpected drop in actual wind output and non-existent solar – all occurring during peak periods when demand on the grid is at its highest.

 

 

And these conditions continued until Friday. During that record week alone, Enel X provided 505.79 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy flexibility across four peak time demand response events; playing a crucial role in stabilising the Irish grid.

 

But October wasn’t done. With changeable conditions through much of the month, another event on 23^rd October, and a few smaller additional events, by the end of October Enel X had provided a massive 1,019.25MWh of flexibility to Eirgrid, through our state-of-the-art Global Network Operations Centre in Dublin, to achieve another record month for flexible energy in Ireland.

Let’s put that in context. Over the entirety of 2024 we provided around 6,239MWh of energy flexibility, so to go past 1,000MWh in a single month – and over 500MWh in one week – is clearly remarkable. But what does 1.01 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy actually look like?

• Power every DART train in Dublin for 16 days of service
• Drive an electric Wrightbus for over 1,359,000km – enough to circle the Earth 33 times
• Contribute around 16% of Aviva Stadium’s projected annual electricity load (6,437 MWh)
• Provide energy to 314 typical households for a full year, based on average consumption data
• Satisfy Dublin Airport’s electricity needs for roughly six days
• Fully charge approximately 13,240 VW ID4 (77kWh)

• Earn reliable revenue for being available and responding when called
• Demonstrate sustainability leadership through measurable carbon-reduction impact
• Build operational resilience by managing energy strategically
• By participating in demand response, Irish businesses are helping create a more secure, efficient, and sustainable energy system – and getting rewarded for doing it.

As Ireland moves into another winter of tight margins and high renewable penetration, flexibility will remain a cornerstone of grid security.

 

Find out how your organisation can get paid to support national energy resilience and contribute to Ireland’s future energy infrastructure. Contact Enel X today.