'Landmark’ new service launched to boost renewable energy rollout
A major upgrade to the way customers on independent electricity networks connect to the grid has been unveiled to help green energy projects get online faster and more affordably.
For the first time, Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) customers can now access the company's cutting-edge Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS) - an intelligent platform that manages renewable and flexible energy assets in real time. This innovation will help IDNO connected projects to connect faster, at lower cost, and with greater flexibility, paving the way for a smarter, greener energy system.
DERMS is at the heart of UK Power Networks’ ‘smart grid’. The platform enables the company to actively monitor and manage distributed energy resources - from solar farms and batteries to electric vehicles (EV) charging hubs - in real time. By doing so, it unlocks capacity on the network that would otherwise remain unused, helping more low-carbon technologies navigate the connections process faster.
As a result, energy generators and project developers can connect faster and reduce upfront costs. High-demand customers, such as EV hubs, can make the most out of their electricity use, while households and local communities gain quicker access to green energy. The wider network also operates more efficiently and reliably, supporting the integration of additional low-carbon technologies.
With this latest update, customers connecting through IDNOs can now benefit too – giving them more choice, lower upfront costs, and faster ways to connect renewable and low-carbon technologies. Several early adopters are already demonstrating the potential of this new capability.
GRIDSERVE’s EV charging hub at Extra Motorway Services, Cobham, connected through ESP Utilities Group, is the first fully-flexible demand customer connecting to an IDNO network. This shows that DERMS isn’t just for sites that generate energy like solar farms - it can now also support customers who only consume electricity. Through these IDNO connections, UK Power Networks is making it easier for businesses, communities, and the wider network to deliver renewable and low-carbon energy projects.
Daniel Saker, head of network strategy at UK Power Networks Distribution System Operator said: “This is a landmark moment for UK Power Networks as we bring a new connection offering to IDNO customers. By enabling smarter, more flexible connections, we’re helping businesses and communities get their low-carbon projects online faster and more efficiently.”
Justin Barter, director of EV and Delivery from ESP Utilities Group said: “This collaboration at Extra Motorway Services and GRIDSERVE demonstrates how ESP can engage with network operators like UK Power Networks, working together to unlock grid capacity and support the roll-out of the UK EV charging network.
“Opening the first IDNO DERMS connection in the UK is a significant step forward. Combining our technical expertise with UK Power Networks’ will now allow future customers to benefit from this flexible connection type, which will speed up project delivery and reduce reinforcement costs.”
Kostas Fouskis, senior grid manager at GRIDSERVE, said: “Access to DERMS for demand is a major step forward for high-power EV charging. The ability to secure earlier and more cost-effectively means we can bring our latest Super Hubs online faster, as we continue to provide EV drivers with the most reliable, ultra-rapid chargers in the most convenient locations.”
Tom Dobson, chief executive at Extra MSA Group said: “Sustainability is one of our core priorities at Extra MSA, and reaching this milestone with our partners shows what can be achieved when innovators across the energy and infrastructure sectors work together. Systems such as DERMS will be vital as we continue to invest significantly in high-power EV charging across our sites.
“We are proud to play our part in supporting the transition to a low-carbon future, unlocking grid capacity and providing our customers with reliable, high-performance charging.”
Published: 22/09/2026
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For the first time, Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) customers can now access the company's cutting-edge Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS) - an intelligent platform that manages renewable and flexible energy assets in real time. This innovation will help IDNO connected projects to connect faster, at lower cost, and with greater flexibility, paving the way for a smarter, greener energy system.
DERMS is at the heart of UK Power Networks’ ‘smart grid’. The platform enables the company to actively monitor and manage distributed energy resources - from solar farms and batteries to electric vehicles (EV) charging hubs - in real time. By doing so, it unlocks capacity on the network that would otherwise remain unused, helping more low-carbon technologies navigate the connections process faster.
As a result, energy generators and project developers can connect faster and reduce upfront costs. High-demand customers, such as EV hubs, can make the most out of their electricity use, while households and local communities gain quicker access to green energy. The wider network also operates more efficiently and reliably, supporting the integration of additional low-carbon technologies.
With this latest update, customers connecting through IDNOs can now benefit too – giving them more choice, lower upfront costs, and faster ways to connect renewable and low-carbon technologies. Several early adopters are already demonstrating the potential of this new capability.
GRIDSERVE’s EV charging hub at Extra Motorway Services, Cobham, connected through ESP Utilities Group, is the first fully-flexible demand customer connecting to an IDNO network. This shows that DERMS isn’t just for sites that generate energy like solar farms - it can now also support customers who only consume electricity. Through these IDNO connections, UK Power Networks is making it easier for businesses, communities, and the wider network to deliver renewable and low-carbon energy projects.
Daniel Saker, head of network strategy at UK Power Networks Distribution System Operator said: “This is a landmark moment for UK Power Networks as we bring a new connection offering to IDNO customers. By enabling smarter, more flexible connections, we’re helping businesses and communities get their low-carbon projects online faster and more efficiently.”
Justin Barter, director of EV and Delivery from ESP Utilities Group said: “This collaboration at Extra Motorway Services and GRIDSERVE demonstrates how ESP can engage with network operators like UK Power Networks, working together to unlock grid capacity and support the roll-out of the UK EV charging network.
“Opening the first IDNO DERMS connection in the UK is a significant step forward. Combining our technical expertise with UK Power Networks’ will now allow future customers to benefit from this flexible connection type, which will speed up project delivery and reduce reinforcement costs.”
Kostas Fouskis, senior grid manager at GRIDSERVE, said: “Access to DERMS for demand is a major step forward for high-power EV charging. The ability to secure earlier and more cost-effectively means we can bring our latest Super Hubs online faster, as we continue to provide EV drivers with the most reliable, ultra-rapid chargers in the most convenient locations.”
Tom Dobson, chief executive at Extra MSA Group said: “Sustainability is one of our core priorities at Extra MSA, and reaching this milestone with our partners shows what can be achieved when innovators across the energy and infrastructure sectors work together. Systems such as DERMS will be vital as we continue to invest significantly in high-power EV charging across our sites.
“We are proud to play our part in supporting the transition to a low-carbon future, unlocking grid capacity and providing our customers with reliable, high-performance charging.”
Published: 22/09/2026
Back to news