Smart Energy – Electricity
Electricity can be perceived as difficult to store, however if you work smart you will find it surprisingly easy!
Electricity can be generated from turbines that spin on super-heated steam that is fuelled by fossil fuels, nuclear energy or by-products of biomass. This energy is generally consumed from the National Grid, the skill of the generators is to match demand as closely as possible using the most efficient plant first and topping up with more expensive or possibly single use such as some hydropower that stands by for peak uses and restores capability in times of surplus generation.
It is this surplus generation that interests me. Nuclear stations generate vast amounts of power throughout 24 hours, wind generation can occur at any time, and solar is only going to happen when the sun is shining. Sometimes a combination of generation can exceed demand. There are few storage facilities in the shape of battery storage unless the combination of electric vehicles is included.
Some energy storage might be the conversion into hot water – such as an electric immersion heated water cylinder. Another way of shifting consumption away from peak consumption to off-peak is the use of delay timers on appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and ovens.
How are we persuaded to use off-peak electricity? Dual tariffs comprise a peak rate that may be a little higher than a single charge throughout the day and a lower rate during restricted hours. The difference can be substantial. For example, there is a tariff that provides off-peak energy for four hours in the very early hours of the morning for 7.5p per unit, the rest of the time each unit costs 35.11p.
You might also consider reviewing these tariffs: https://lovemyev.com/explore/ev-tariffs/ev-tariffs there are offers of 4.5p per unit available at off-peak times.
As I generate enough to supply our home from Solar Panels most of the time and battery storage provides power when the sun is not shining, we shift the high energy consumption to off-peak, consequently, we purchase very few full-price units.
Smart EV Point
The second-generation EV points can deliver energy to my car when it is cheapest, I have the tariff details stored with an Application on my phone, but it has the capability to react to signals from my energy provider if they are anticipating surplus generation at another time – that’s smart.
