FlexiNews | Regulation, markets and energy flexibility

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We're back with FlexiNews, a space where we gather the main news from the energy sector and share the most relevant advances in our activities!

Our aim is to offer a clear and up-to-date overview of energy flexibility, bringing closer both the market context and the opportunities that are emerging for businesses and consumers. We seek to provide valuable content by combining information, analysis, and current affairs. FlexiNews is a benchmark for understanding the month-by-month transition towards a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable energy system.

Here we go!


Latest energy sector news

Spain promotes the figure of the independent aggregator to modernise the electricity system

The system operator (Red Eléctrica) has officially published the proposed adaptation of operating procedures and balancing conditions to allow for the effective participation of the independent aggregator in the Spanish electricity system.

The model proposed is Centralised,where the operator acts as a counterparty in programme correction and in the offsetting between aggregators and marketers, avoiding impacts on the latter's deviations.

A key element is the introduction of programme de référence de base, which allows for the estimation of expected consumption and the measurement of the flexibility actually provided by demand, along with control mechanisms such as penalties for poor forecast quality.

The proposal also sets out:

  • The aggregator's participation in balancing markets
  • New reporting, forecasting and measurement obligations
  • Economic compensation schemes and guarantees
  • Changes to multiple operational procedures and the creation of a specific one for baseline calculation.

This development, in line with RD 88/2026 and European regulations, represents a key step towards activate demand response and consolidate flexibility as a system resource.

You can access the System Operator's final proposal at this link.


European regulators warn electricity system operators about their shortcomings in assessing supply risk

The European Union Agency for Energy Regulators (ACER) has warned of significant methodological inconsistencies in the European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA), the key report analysing whether the European electricity system will be able to cover demand until 2035.

According to the regulator, these deficiencies affect the consistency and reliability of results, which could compromise its use as a basis for critical decisions, such as the implementation of capacity mechanisms in Member States.

Claim is made “qualitative leap in methodology, greater transparency and better integration between the different modules of the model, where anticipating supply risks is key for European energy planning.

This ACER warning has Direct implications for flexibility of the European electricity system:

  1. Less reliable reversal signals If the adequacy assessment is not robust, decisions on investments in flexible resources (storage, manageable demand, thermal backup) become distorted, leading to under or over-investment in flexibility.
  2. Risk of underestimating the required flexibility Inconsistent models may fail to capture the role of key technologies like batteries or demand response effectively, leading to an underestimation of the actual flexibility needs in a high-renewable penetration system.
  3. Impact on Capability Mechanisms The ERAA is the basis for justifying capacity mechanisms. If the results are not comparable between countries, schemes could be designed that do not adequately remunerate flexibility, affecting its development.
  4. More uncertain integration of renewables With more variable generation, flexibility is critical for balancing the system. Poor modelling reduces the ability to anticipate balancing problems and demand peaks, increasing operational risks.
  5. Lack of European coordination Methodological inconsistency makes it difficult to compare results between countries, which limits coordinated planning of flexible resources at a European level, key for an integrated market.

With this we see once again that The challenge of the energy transition is not just installing renewables, but correctly modelling the flexibility of the system.. Without a reliable assessment, regulatory decisions may not trigger the necessary investments to ensure security of supply in a system that is increasingly dependent on flexible resources.

You can read the full news article here.


Europe explores 37 local flexibility markets to manage congestion and renewables

A study by the European Commission has identified 37 local flexibility market (LFM) initiatives in Europe, designed to manage network congestion and integrate renewable energy.

Most of these markets are still in Pilot or preparatory phase, although more advanced models are beginning to emerge based on the cooperation between distribution system operators (DSOs) and transmission system operators (TSOs).

These markets allow for the contracting of specific services – such as congestion management or voltage control – at a local level, in a context of growing electrification and distributed renewable generation.

The report highlights that there is no single model valid for all of Europe and recommends Start with simple designs, which can progressively evolve towards greater harmonisation without losing local adaptation.

Furthermore, future European regulation, such as the Network Code on Demand Response, will be key to integrating the active participation of consumers and distributed resources in these markets.

What impact does this have on the development of energy flexibility?

  1. Flexibility decreases at the distribution network level The development of local markets marks a structural change: flexibility ceases to be managed solely at national or transmission level and becomes a distributed and localised resource.
  2. Acceleration of the role of demand and distributed resources these markets enable participation by batteries, self-consumption, electric vehicles and flexible demand, reinforcing the consumer's role as an asset of the system.
  3. Alternative to network investments LFM allows managing congestion without the need to expand infrastructure, which can translate into Cost reduction of the system and greater efficiency in planning.
  4. Fragmentation vs. harmonisation The fact that there isn't a single model introduces the risk of regulatory fragmentation, which can make it difficult to scale flexibility solutions at European level.
  5. New market ecosystem Opportunities arise for aggregators, traders, and new players, but complexity also increases in product design and price signals.

This confirms that Europe is moving from a centralised model of flexibility to one decentralised and local, where network management will increasingly rely on distributed markets. The challenge is not just to deploy them, but scale from pilots to a coordinated and efficient European-level system.

You can read the full news story here.


News from Bamboo Energy

We are driving the SRAD campaign in April to activate energy flexibility

At Bamboo Energy, we are reinforcing our commitment to energy flexibility throughout April and May with a campaign focused on the Active Demand Response Service (ADRS), a key tool for transforming electricity consumption into a strategic asset. Through several publications on LinkedIn, we have highlighted the growing role of this mechanism in the Spanish energy system.

During the campaign, we highlighted how SRAD enables consumers to earn income both for their availability and for their responsiveness to the electricity system's needs, opening up new opportunities, especially for SMEs and actors who have not previously participated in these markets.

Furthermore, we demonstrate how our technology facilitates this participation through automation, real-time monitoring, and optimising operations in flexibility markets. Thanks to these solutions, we help turn energy consumption into a lever for efficiency and profitability, simplifying access and maximising value for customers.

This campaign is part of our commitment to accelerate the energy transition through digitalisation and demand activation, positioning the SRAD as a key element in building a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable electricity system.

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We are strengthening our presence in the French market with a new Webinar.

At Bamboo Energy, we are strengthening our presence in the French market by organising a webinar focused on the current challenges in the French energy sector and the key role of demand flexibility.

During the meeting, aimed at French marketers and market players, we demonstrated how to activate and manage flexibility portfolios to optimise costs, generate new revenue, and improve competitiveness. We also presented real-life case studies and our technological solutions that enable efficient, real-time flexibility operations.

Furthermore, we explain how to structure strategies tailored to each energy portfolio and highlight the role of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in advanced demand management. This initiative is part of our expansion in Europe, where we continue to consolidate our position as a relevant player in energy flexibility solutions.

With this type of action, at Bamboo Energy we continue to position ourselves as a leader in the energy transition, driving more efficient, flexible and sustainable models in key markets such as France.

You can see it in this link.

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Bamboo Energy selected for the Free Electrons programme and its international pitch event

At Bamboo Energy, we continue to consolidate our international presence after being selected to participate in the Pitch Event of the 10th edition of the Free Electrons programme, one of the leading global innovation platforms in the energy sector. As we shared on LinkedIn, you can see the full post. at this link.

This milestone reflects the growing relevance of demand flexibility as a key element for the energy transition. Our involvement allows us to collaborate with world-leading utilities and demonstrate how AI-based optimisation can unlock the value of flexible energy assets and improve the management of electricity grids.

The Free Electrons programme connects startups with large energy companies to pilot and scale innovative solutions that address real-world electricity system challenges. In this context, Bamboo Energy demonstrates how our solutions contribute to smarter, more resilient, and efficient energy systems.

With this participation, we are reinforcing our positioning within the international energy innovation ecosystem and advancing our mission to accelerate the transition towards a more flexible, digital, and sustainable energy model.

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What is to come

Webinar: Multi-market Optimisation and Virtual Power Plants for Renewable Assets in Spain

On Tuesday, 12th May at 12:00, Bamboo Energy will hold a webinar focused on the operation of renewable assets in Spain, with multi-market strategies, virtual power plants and battery optimisation.

In a context of growing complexity and price pressure, many renewable assets are seeing their profitability reduced, making it essential to evolve towards more advanced energy management strategies.

During the session, we will present our solution, an independent technology that allows for the optimisation and monetisation of generation, hybridisation, and battery assets — both integrated and standalone — through multi-market strategies and virtual power plants.

You can register for this link.

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See you at Solar & Storage Live Spain 2026

The Bamboo Energy team will be at Solar & Storage Live Spain 2026, one of the sector's leading events, to be held on 27 and 28 May at Feria Valencia. This event will bring together over 4,000 professionals and a hundred companies to discuss the latest trends in solar energy, storage, and key technologies for the energy transition. .

Our participation reinforces Bamboo Energy's commitment to innovation and optimising the energy system, at a time when asset storage and intelligent management are fundamental to maximising energy value.

It will be an opportunity to share our vision, connect with the main players in the sector and continue driving solutions that respond to the current market challenges.

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