Social Energy & UK Power Networks Team Up to Power the Future
Nice news for London, the South East and East of England! Social Energy has teamed up with UK Power Networks (UPN) to roll out a smart‑grid project that lets homeowners become part of the power revolution. If you’ve got a solar panel and a battery on your roof, check this out.
What’s the Idea?
- UPN, the local electric grid boss, wants your home’s battery to act as a mini‑power plant when the grid needs a boost.
- Social Energy will call on your battery during peak times, so you can keep your fridge running while your stored juice helps the network.
- If you’ve got a sunny roof and an efficient battery, you’ll literally be feeding power back into the mains—consider it a green energy side hustle.
Why It Matters
The big picture? Electric cars, electric heating and a growing population are crunching the energy supply. “Flexibility” is the fancy word for slots of battery power that can flip on or off to keep the grid humming. UPN is buying that flexibility from companies like Social Energy, especially as they expand their smart‑grid dream across a huge chunk of the UK.
Key Figures & Perks
- Initially, around 100 homes will be on the grid‑help roster.
- Participants in South London, Hertfordshire and Kent get a tidy £125 a year for four years.
- This money covers battery installation or gives you a boost if you’re already solar‑powered.
- By cycling stored energy out of your home when the bill surge hits, households can cut local demand, making the network more resilient and cheaper.
How Does It All Work?
During specific “flex time” windows, your battery will discharge according to UPN’s instructions. First, it powers your daily appliances. Then, any surplus flows into the grid. Imagine having 100 houses doing this simultaneously—that’s a real load‑balancing bonanza that keeps the lights on even when everyone is blasting power.
Rewarding the Buddy System
Beyond the £125 cash, Social Energy offers a clever monthly plan: connect your solar and battery to their tariff and slash your bills by up to 70%, saving roughly £516 a year. Put another way, you’re decorating your rooftop with sunshine, storing the juice, and then trading watts for cash.
CEO Tells the Story
“We’re delighted to be working with UPN to reshape energy for local communities,” says Steve Day, CTO at Social Energy. “Homeowners in the area have a unique chance to lean into a greener, cheaper future.”
Ready to Jump In?
If you’re in the right postcode and either just entering the solar‑battery scene or already own panels but not yet on Social Energy’s list, you can receive a financial boost toward installation rights. It’s an invitation to shine a little brighter—not literally, but through smarter energy use that saves money and keeps grids healthy.
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