Distribution Use of System (DUoS)

What are DUoS charges?

Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges are fees levied by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) for the use of their distribution networks. These charges are incurred for the delivery of electricity from the transmission grid to end users, including the operation of storage assets like BESS and solar plus storage projects, which both consume and potentially export electricity.

DUoS charges help maintain the distribution networks, and could go towards:

• Maintenance of the physical infrastructure (poles, wires, transformers, etc.)
• Upgrades to cope with new demand or generation sources
• Operation of the network to ensure safety and reliability

Each DNO has different charges - see our Locations page to determine your DNO.

Who is impacted by DUoS?

DUoS charges affect all electricity network users, but they are especially relevant for operators of BESS and colocated solar and storage facilities. These asset owners not only consume energy from the grid but may also feed electricity back into it, impacting their DUoS cost structure.

Key considerations for BESS and solar and storage projects:

• Charge Structure:
  • Fixed Charges: Incurred regardless of the amount of electricity consumed or generated.
  • Capacity Charges: Based on the maximum capacity provided to the site. For BESS and solar facilities, this can be significant due to the potential for high-capacity connections required for energy storage and generation.
  • Unit Charges: These vary depending on the amount of electricity passed through the network and are influenced by whether the facility is consuming energy or exporting it back to the grid.
• Time-of-Use Tariffs: Critical for BESS and solar operators since costs can be minimized by strategically charging storage systems during off-peak periods (Green bands) and discharging or exporting during peak times (Red bands).
• Geographical Variations: DUoS charges can vary significantly across different DNO regions, affecting decisions about where to locate new energy storage or solar facilities.
• Metering and Billing: Accurate real-time metering is essential for managing DUoS costs effectively, especially for facilities that frequently switch between consuming from and exporting to the grid.

If you're interested in modelling your asset's DUoS charges, you will be able to provide the following inputs in our custom run input form, from 13th June 2024. We can model both fixed and variable DUoS charges.

If you need assistance with determining these inputs for your asset, reach out to your account manager or [email protected].

Please note, both import and export prices should be positive values.