Good news and energy payments don't usually come in the same sentence, however, one firm has announced a trial where customers will be paid with free energy.
In a complete turn around, the scheme being trialled by Octopus Energy will encourage customers to delay their power use.
The energy company says: "Our cutting-edge trial, in partnership with National Grid ESO, gives customers all over the UK free electricity for delaying energy use when the UK's energy mix is dirtiest."
Renewable generation is set to triple by 2030, which, according to the firm, would mean that If we had that much renewable energy available today, it would be enough to power the country almost twice over at the most energy-intensive times.
Octopus, which says it was founded to bring "cheaper, greener energy to the world", says it wants as many green electrons in the grid as possible, but recognises there is a challenge. "What happens when the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine?"
With this in mind, the trial to delay power usage at certain times hopes to find a solution to that fundamental challenge.
On its website, Octopus Energy, says: "It’s entirely free to get involved, tariff and energy payments won’t change, and you can opt out any time".
Those signing up will need to try and use less power during five to ten events over February and March, for a period of two hours. If energy use is reduced by a target amount you’ll get all of the electricity used during that two hour period at no cost.
"All you need to do is turn everything down a bit, and we’ll use the data from your smart meter to do the rest," says the firm.
How to get involved
- You'll need to have been an Octopus Energy electricity customer since December 1, 2021
- Have a working smart meter, which sends data half-hourly
- Not be on an export tariff (Outgoing, SEG, etc)
How the scheme works
When the grid is struggling, coal and diesel stations are fired up to meet the UK's energy needs. Using smart meters, the firm aims to demonstrate the potential of UK homes to collectively shift their energy usage, and prove those polluting options aren’t needed.
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