National Grid to advise on when to do washing

The National Grid is planning to tell people the cheapest time to turn on a washing machine up to two days in advance. Software developed with conservation charity WWF breaks the day down into two-hour segments, warning users when energy is at peak demand and when demand is low.

THE National Grid will be able to tell people the cheapest time to turn on a washing machine up to two days in advance.

Software developed with the conservation charity WWF breaks the day down into two-hour segments, warning users when energy is at peak demand and indicating when demand is low.

It combines historical data from the grid with weather information from the Met Office.

The National Grid said it expected energy companies to use the information to produce their own apps encouraging customers to use energy when demand was at its lowest and turn appliances off when there was pressure on the system.

The data, verified by experts from Oxford University, also shows when lowcarbon energy sources are active, allowing households to use energy at the best times for solar and wind energy.

Duncan Burt, director of the system operator at National Grid, said: “We’re providing our forecast data in a format that allows technology companies to build innovative apps and software that could make a real difference to how and when people use energy.

“Clear and concise information that can tell you in advance when’s best to turn on the washing machine, load the dishwasher or charge your car for example, is a step in the right direction towards a low carbon future.

“This technology puts people at the heart of it, helping everyone to use power when it’s greenest, and likely, more cost efficient.”

Some suppliers have started to offer “time-of-use” tariffs, enabled by smart meters, which reward householders for using energy when demand is low.

In January, Green Energy UK launched its TIDE tariff which charges less per kwh at low-usage times, such as overnight. British Gas’s long-standing Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs also charge less for energy used at night.