Zero Carbon Operation

How to achieve a zero carbon Britain
Turbine and solar panels with bright sunlight

What we do

Zero Carbon Operation (ZCO) supports NESO in planning and operating a future energy system by ensuring the electricity system stays operable as it decarbonises.

Programme Areas

Each of our programme areas provides the necessary expertise required to meet our ambition of being able to run Britain’s electricity system carbon free.

EV and Storage

Man charging his EV car

EV & Storage supports NESO in understanding the interaction of EVs and electricity storage within a zero-carbon electricity system. This includes analysing the evolving behaviour of EVs and storage, and supporting NESO to maximise the benefits these technologies can offer. 

Transformation to Integrate Distributed Energy (TIDE)

The TIDE Programme serves to deliver visibility of and access to distributed energy and consumer energy resource assets across all timescales (real-time to long term) – receiving, procuring, storing, analysing, and making decisions on this data – to improve operation of the whole-energy system.

Operability Strategy

hydro power water

Operability Strategy coordinates a holistic strategy which supports industry in the management of future operability challenges so that there is a smooth transition to a future secure, zero carbon system at the lowest cost.

 

View Operability Strategy reports

Zero Carbon Technology

Solar panels on left side of field and right side is farmers field

Zero Carbon Technology tracks the development of large-scale energy sources not yet widely seen on the GB Transmission System to understand the properties of these new technologies. Using this information, as well as knowledge of expected roll-out and upcoming policy, the team assesses the potential impacts these emerging technologies may have on the operation of the future GB energy system.

Country field path with single tree

Update on review of hybrid metering arrangements for BM Units

The Zero Carbon Technologies team requested industry feedback on hybrid metering arrangements for BM Units and co-located technologies from 31 January to 28 February 2025. The team is now reviewing the feedback received and will provide an update in due course, along with a proposed schedule for future engagement. Please refer to the attached document below for further information on why we were requesting feedback, including what we hope to achieve from this work programme. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

wind turbines across top of mountains

Questions or thoughts?