Utrack opens Demand Flexibility Service to All

OSB — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:29:10 +0000

Households with a smart meter will be able to access the National Grid’s money-back scheme through the Utrack mobile app, regardless of their supplier.

The Demand Flexibility Service is most commonly accessed via your energy supplier but apps like Uswitch’s Utrack and Loop’s Turn Down and Save mean that any household with a smart meter can join up and potentially earn money.

The National Grid ESO scheme rewards users for changing their habits and reducing their electricity usage during certain peak hours.

The scheme has been described as a “great success” in a recent blog post by the power supply firm. It was first run live on 23 January 2023, when people were asked to reduce consumption between 5pm and 6pm.

The Utrack Money Back scheme allows anyone who isn’t already signed on to the scheme with a smart meter to take part, no matter who your electricity provider is.

Participants could also earn more, according to the utility switching firm, as it will pass on the full payment awarded by the National Grid, to ensure users see the full benefit.

Linking the app to a smart meter and signing up for the Utrack Money Back scheme, will see users paid around £3 for every kWh saved – the full payment incentive offered by the National Grid.

The Demand Flexibility Service was first launched in November of 2022, and will end on March 31, 2023. Uswitch expects there to be at least two more sessions before the scheme ends.

You will not be asked to sit in the dark to reduce energy consumption. Those taking part will be asked to reduce their electricity usage in a safe and manageable way, such as by switching off appliances not in use or delaying cooking a meal.

Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments:

“We launched Utrack to help households understand their energy usage and make the right choices for their home, as well as to cut back on energy consumption in a safe and manageable way.

“Homes are already changing their energy habits, and the National Grid scheme is offering tangible rewards for their efforts.

“We’ve already seen the energy-saving schemes used to manage public demand for the first time in recent weeks, so it’s important to sign up with Utrack ahead of the next session to receive the maximum savings potential.

“Anyone with a smart meter display unit can take part thanks to Utrack, no matter who their energy provider is. We’re also passing on the full savings for those who qualify.”

Click here to view original web page at www.dailyrecord.co.uk

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Demand Flexibility Service explained

OSB — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 14:52:27 +0000

The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) is a new energy saving concept, which has been launched by the ESO to incentivise consumers and businesses to reduce their power consumption at times of peak demand.

This new service will help the ESO avoid using its expensive and polluting fossil fuel generators and serve as an “insurance policy” if it needs to ease demand on the grid this winter.

Households have been warned of power cuts lasting up to three hours at a time if gas supplies run extremely low, and National Grid is hoping the new scheme can prevent that happening.

The ESO will run a maximum of 12 demonstration tests with each electricity supplier between November and March 2023. These demonstration tests will have a guaranteed minimum price of £3KWh, meaning that a typical household could save approximately £100 across the maximum 12 demonstration tests.

How the Demand Flexibility Service scheme works

Energy suppliers and aggregator sign up to the scheme with National Grid ESO
The suppliers get in touch with customers that are eligible to taker part
Households in England, Scotland or Wales with a smart meter are eligible
Energy suppliers send an alert 24 hours before a test session is due to start
Demonstration tests will run for one hour, however live events could run for a longer period
Customers reduce energy usage during the test period
Customers receive a discount if they reduce energy usage during the tests
The trail runs until March 2023
There are no penalties for not participating once you have signed up

How you can take part in Demand Flexibility Service

If you have a smart meter and your energy supplier offers the service, then you can sign up – see the full list of participating suppliers below. Not everyone will be able to take part but your energy supplier will probably contact you if you’re eligible and invited to be part of the test scheme.

Which providers have signed up for the scheme?

At the time of publishing the following domestic energy suppliers have signed up:

How you can reduce your power consumption during Demand Flexibility Service events?

Households could reduce their power consumption during demonstration tests or live events by choosing to run power-hungry appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, electric showers and immersion heaters before or after the ‘event’. Another option would be to reduce energy usage (e.g. using a microwave instead of the oven) during the event window.

Efficient lightbulbs and small appliances such as modern televisions consume little electricity and so it is unlikely to be worth adapting usage of these during an ‘event’. See our top 10 energy saving tips for ideas about saving energy and money this winter.

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