So what is a flexible electricity grid and why do we need it?
Grid operators are responsible for ensuring the good operation of the electricity grid and sometimes they need help to do this. They pay third-parties, called aggregators, to help them.
In the past these third-parties would run standby generators or get large industrial consumers to turn off. As electric vehicles, heat pumps, and batteries become more common in our homes there is an increasing opportunity for these new technologies to play a role in helping to operate the grid. PowerShaper is a service which will allow homes and small businesses to contribute to grid operations by responding to requests to turn on/off appliances at specific times in specific locations.
With the HEMS, you can also set up automations in your home to use electricity when there is lower demand: charging your electric vehicle or battery storage system at dinner time for example means that the grid is being drained of energy, and so grid operators need to fall back on fossil fuel sources to ensure a constant supply. Changing your habits by setting up smart automations therefore helps reduce emissions and can save you money.
