Northern Ireland’s electricity transmission system operator SONI has rolled out major new Business Energy technology designed to increase renewable electricity use, reduce waste, and strengthen grid efficiency across the Single Electricity Market. The upgrades form part of SONI’s Scheduling and Dispatch Programme, delivered with EirGrid, SEMO regulators, and industry stakeholders.

Two system changes are now live. SDP-02 enables Energy Storage Power Stations to participate fully in electricity trading, while SDP-04 enhances wind dispatch controls to reduce renewable curtailment. Together, they allow the grid to better absorb variable wind and solar generation and respond to demand in real time.

Under SDP-02, large-scale battery assets can now store surplus renewable electricity during periods of high generation and release it when demand rises. Previously focused on grid stability, these assets can now trade energy directly in the market, charging when renewable output is strong or prices are low and discharging at peak demand. For energy-intensive businesses, this supports a more balanced system and reduces reliance on fossil-fuel generation during high-price periods.

SDP-04 upgrades SONI’s Wind Dispatch Tool, giving operators greater control over renewable generation and reducing “dispatch down”, where clean electricity is lost because supply exceeds demand. The result is higher utilisation of wind and solar resources and a more efficient Business Energy environment for companies operating across Northern Ireland.

Alan Campbell, chief executive of SONI, said: “This is a critical moment in Northern Ireland’s journey to net zero. Renewable energy is less predictable, but this technology helps us use more wind and solar power and better match supply with demand.”

Explore how these grid upgrades are reshaping Business Energy performance across Northern Ireland and the all-island market.

(Photo Credits to SONI)