Grid Flexibility Challenge
Challenge · Hosted by Meridian Energy. Reinforcement work queued to cover a few dozen hours a year, when the flexibility could be bought behind the meter instead.
About this open call
What this event is about
Distribution feeders hit their limit on cold winter evenings, and the standard answer is a new cable or a bigger substation. We would rather buy that headroom from the heat pumps, hot-water tanks and chargers already sitting behind the meter.
What we are looking for
Startups with a working aggregation and control platform that can sign up domestic and commercial assets, dispatch them on a feeder-level signal, and prove delivery event by event.
Problem statements
Winter evening peaks
A cold Tuesday at 17:00 sets the size of every cable we build. That load is real for roughly forty hours a year and we pay for the copper all year.
Delivered, not contracted
Contracted capacity and delivered capacity are not the same number. We need baselining and settlement per asset and per call that stands up to an audit.
Assets belong to customers
Heat pumps and chargers belong to people who did not sign up to be grid assets. Sign-up, override and comfort limits have to stay theirs, or the second winter has no participants.
Evaluation criteria
100% weighted total
Timeline
- Jun 24, 2026
Brief published
The flexibility brief and three winters of feeder load data went out to the network.
- Jul 6, 2026
Entries open
Questions go to grid operations weekly while entries are being written.
- Sep 30, 2026
Shortlist and feeder walkthrough
Shortlisted teams see the load data for two named feeders and meet the crew who run them.
- Oct 16, 2026
Pilot decision
One or two teams are contracted to dispatch on live feeders through the winter.
Sponsors & partners
Meridian Energy
Host
ETH Zürich
Technical partner
FAQs
Do we have to bring our own customers?
You bring the platform. Introductions to households and building owners on the two feeders in scope come from our customer team, and recruitment is joint work.
What data do we get to work from?
Fifteen-minute load history per feeder for three winters, transformer ratings, and metered readings for every participating asset once dispatch starts.
Can we enter with only one asset type?
Yes. Chargers only or heat pumps only is fine if you can settle what you deliver — one asset class measured properly beats four estimated.
Take part
Submit your entry before the deadline. Every entry is scored against the criteria above.