National Grid to pay UK homes to cut their electricity…

National Grid to pay UK homes to cut their electricity tonight in emergency scheme

As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, and temperatures plummet, turning up the heating becomes more of a dilemma. However, there's a chance of saving some cash on energy bills coming up. According to latest reports, the National Grid will run a live event of its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) tonight, Monday, January 23, which means that participating households who are signed up to the scheme will be offered the chance to cut their bills.

While tests have already been run on the scheme, today's roll-out means that everyone signed up to the scheme could save money if they reduce power usage today between 5pm and 6pm.

The published DFS Service Requirement is open to anyone whose energy supplier has offered them the scheme, and for which they have subsequently signed up to; the Express reports that the service should be available to certain energy customers if they have a smart meter.

The National Grid's ESO website states: "If you have signed up to take part in the DFS scheme your electricity provider will contact you before a demonstration test or live event and ask if you want to participate in the following day’s event."

The energy regulator Ofgem granted approval for the scheme to run from November 3, 2022 to March 31, 2023 on November 4 last year. The scheme allows businesses and members of the public to be paid to reduce or move their electricity usage out of peak hours, following a signal from the ESO. The good news is that a typical household could save approximately £100, over the five month duration of the service.

Fintan Slye, Executive Director of the ESO, said at the time: “We are delighted that Ofgem have approved the use of our Demand Flexibility Service this winter. It will help mitigate the potential risks that the ESO has outlined in its Winter Outlook and will allow consumers to see a financial return for reducing their electricity use at peak times.

“As a responsible operator of the electricity system we have developed this innovative Demand Flexibility Service to compliment the robust set of tools we already use to balance the electricity system every day.”

National Grid has published a list of providers who are taking part in the ESO Demand Flexibility Service on its website.

Providers taking part for domestic customers

British Gas
CarbonLaces
EDF
E.ON Next
Equiwatt
ev.energy
Hugo Energy App (via SMS)
Labrador (via Perse Technology Ltd)
Loop.homes (via SMS)
myenergi (via Orange Power)
Octopus Energy
OVO Energy
Power Rewards App (via Orange Power)
Shell Energy Retail (Via SMS)
SMS
VpowerU

Following test sessions, Octopus Energy said it had paid out more than £1million to energy-conscious customers for just four hours of the flexibility service. Over 250,000 of the firms customers took part in each of the four test sessions, with the top five percent of savers earning almost £20 across all the test sessions that had happened so far.

Alex Schoch, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy Group, commented: “This is a massive milestone - across just four hours, we’ve been able to pay out £1million to our customers.

"Normally, this money would have gone to businesses or dirty gas power plants to balance energy demand, instead it’s helping people lower their energy bills this winter.

“We are proud to have pioneered this trailblazing scheme, which is paving the way towards a smarter, greener and cheaper grid for all.

"And we’re glad that other energy suppliers are now getting involved, allowing even more people to grab a bargain and lower bills for everyone.”

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