The previous project NIA2_NGESO053 assessed the pros and cons of more coordinated procurement of energy, response and reserve under different market designs. ​The results suggest there are significant potential benefits from co-optimisation in the context of GB’s future net zero system. ​Realising these benefits would require implementation of Central Dispatch​. Separately, ESO has identified significant issues in current scheduling arrangements, which we believe Central Dispatch could mitigate. 
This project will provide a qualitative overview of different scheduling approaches​ and quantitatively estimate the impact of self vs central scheduling under national and zonal pricing. The project will also test whether improvements to the BM or strengthening balancing incentives market participants face may impact the case to move to central scheduling. 

Benefits

Central Scheduling could realise significant consumer and system benefits through improved utilisation of energy limited assets such as batteries, facilitating co-optimisation of energy, response and reserve, and iimprovements to competition through a move from portfolio settlement to unit settlement​. It also brings risks around how efficiently interconnector trade could be done between self & central dispatch markets.  
 
This project will enable robust understanding of the potential consumer and system benefits and possible risks through quantification. This will inform key decision-making processes regarding significant reform options in the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) Programme which would impact the energy system transition.