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NETWORK / 13 / DECEMBER 2019 / JANUARY 2020 role of storage and flexibility, exploring multiple energy vec- tors, network levels, geographic regions and timeframes; from sub-hourly system services to decadal planning. It is designed to help the sector answer some crucial questions, taking a whole system perspec- tive, including: • Taking a whole energy system approach, what is the future role of energy storage and flexibility • What is the scale of the dif- ferent future service require- ments (e.g. in MW or, MWh) for storage and flexibility? • What is the value of various forms of storage and flex - ibility to the system? • How do the key drivers of uncertainty (both short and long-term) affect the potential role of storage and flexible alternatives? Even when investigating the previous target of 80% emis - sions reduction by 2050, we discovered some important trends. For example, substantial increases in thermal and elec - tricity storage volumes are likely to be required to cover increas- ing reserve requirements. We also see an increased role for building-level thermal stor- age to help the electricity sector cope with large fluctuations in electrified heat demand. Add in a degree of short-term uncertainty, and hybrid technologies – such as hybrid heat pumps and combined heat and power – become more important sources of flexibility. Although we haven't yet explored the impact of net zero, we have explored what happens when gas usage is restricted – with the removed flexibility replaced with a variety of other technologies including hot water tanks, managed charging and excess generation technology. This gives us an insight into how we can start to address flexibility challenges of a net-zero system, but we need to, and will do, more. One of the greatest challenges of a decarbonising energy system is maintaining energy security and reliability as generation and demand characteristics change. It is more important than ever to prepare for the future and its im - plications for how we transform the system – and we hope the SFM will help identify and assess the types of innovation required to meet this challenge. FUTURE OF FLEXIBILITY At Vaisala, as well as supplying world-class measurement equipment for monitoring transformer oil, we are also here to make sure our customers can get the most out of their monitoring equipment, and help take the stress out of getting it up and running. Air bubbles in insulating transformer oil can cause serious problems, such as electric discharges or triggering the Buchholz relay and stopping the whole transformer. So when installing and commissioning measurement equipment for dissolved gas analysis (DGA) in a transformer, it's important to take care that no air bubbles are introduced into the system. The Vaisala Optimus™ DGA Monitor OPT100 has a number of unique features that provide clear benefits in this regard. In our online blog, we answer frequently asked questions such as: • Do I need a separate vacuum pump? • Do I need specialist assistance to bleed the OPT100? • How easy is it to install an onlin monitoring instrument into a power transformer? Read the full blog at https://www.vaisala.com/en/blog/2019- 10/worry-free-dga-monitor-commissioning-finally-reality Read more about the Optimus DGA Monitor OPT100 at https:// www.vaisala.com/en/products/instruments-sensors-and-other- measurement-devices/instruments-industrial-measurements/ opt100 Watch the video on YouTube.com: "Maintenance-free monitoring with the Vaisala Optimus DGA Monitor OPT100". I N D U S T RY I N S I G H T Worry-free DGA monitor commissioning TRANSITION TO DSO EXAMPLES: HOW CAN THE MODEL BE USED? 1. By policy makers, regulators and strategic bodies By taking a whole energy systems view, we can see which types of technology can most cost-effectively enable low carbon energy sys- tems. The markets, regulations, policies, business models and supply chains to support the development of these valuable technologies can then be established, based upon detailed whole systems analysis. For example, long duration energy storage technologies, such as clean gas and pumped heat , are valuable and may take decades to build. However, they are currently difficult to commercialise. 2. By network operators Locating storage and flexible technologies at each network level will open up different value streams. For example, storing large quantities of gas in dedicated vessels at local level would not be useful to supply peaking power stations. Conversely, there may be benefits of "behind the meter "storage to manage local network constraints and defer reinforcement. 3. Innovators in the storage and flexibility sector For innovators, it is important to be aware of the value that a new technology can provide to the energy system, particularly with increas- ing levels of integration and digitalisation enabling new technologies across different sectors to compete. Focussing on value within elec- tricity networks alone is risky.