Answer extracted from The Future of Utilities Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What are the specific targets and goals for Power Responsive by 2030?
NISO published targets showing they currently have around 200 megawatts of flexibility participation in their market, and aim to grow that to approximately 950 megawatts or even a full gigawatt by 2030. This five-fold increase demonstrates how seriously the organization takes the development of flexibility markets as a cornerstone of future energy system stability.
From current capacity to gigawatt-scale ambition
The gap between today's 200 megawatts and the 2030 target represents a transformative scaling of demand-side flexibility. Jonathan Wisdom, Head of Balancing Services Development and Delivery at NISO, explained that this growth trajectory reflects the organization's confidence in how the market can evolve.
As detailed in the episode, NISO's focus on flexibility comes from a fundamental understanding that stability in the electricity system no longer depends only on supply-side generation. Demand-side participation—from industrial actors, commercial users, and eventually household consumers—is becoming equally critical to keeping the grid balanced.
Why a gigawatt matters for energy security
A gigawatt of flexible capacity is substantial. To put this in perspective, 1,000 megawatts equals the power output of a large conventional power station. By 2030, NISO is betting that market mechanisms and consumer engagement will unlock this much flexibility from distributed sources—EVs, heat pumps, industrial demand response, battery storage, and other assets already connected to the grid.
This target, published at the end of last year, wasn't set arbitrarily. It reflects the scale of change required to manage a grid that is increasingly renewable and decentralized. The specific numbers signal a commitment detailed in this podcast conversation to move beyond small pilots into mainstream market operation.
"We want to make sure that consumers have the opportunity to participate across our energy system and be really involved."
Jonathan Wisdom — Head of Balancing Services Development and Delivery, NISO. Wisdom oversees how parties participate in NISO's balancing services markets and is responsible for the evolution of Power Responsive as a vehicle for demand-side engagement. His role centers on making the energy system accessible to consumers and businesses who wish to offer flexibility.
To understand how this ambition unfolds across different customer segments—domestic users, industrial players, and aggregators—the full episode explores who Power Responsive is targeting and what specific partnerships are shaping this growth strategy.
Key takeaways
- NISO's 2030 target is 950 megawatts to 1 gigawatt of flexibility participation, a five-fold increase from today's 200 megawatts.
- The target was formally published at the end of last year, signaling NISO's strategic priority on demand-side flexibility as essential to energy system stability.
- Reaching gigawatt-scale flexibility requires coordinated engagement across domestic consumers, industrial and commercial actors, and aggregators.
- This ambition reflects a fundamental shift: stability no longer relies only on traditional supply-side generation but on distributed, responsive demand.
See also
Who does Power Responsive want to bring into the conversation and involve?
Power Responsive wants to work closely with domestic users through suppliers and aggregators, but particularly with industrial and commercial actors who have significant flexibility to offer.
What is the Power Responsive program and what is its mission?
Power Responsive came to fruition around 10 to 11 years ago and is about engaging the market and understanding what demand-side participation could look like in the energy system.
What role do female role models in senior leadership play in retaining women in utilities?
Visible role models in senior positions—such as female CEOs who are also mothers—signal to other women in the industry that career progression is achievable, directly supporting retention and representation.