Power Move Flex - Frequently Asked Questions

Hey everyone,

If you’ve joined or are thinking about joining Power Move Flex or Power Move Flex for Charge Anytime, you might have a few questions. You’re in the right place. We’ve pulled together the most common FAQs to help you understand how it all works.
 

If you’re new to Power Move Flex, it’s all part of CrowdFlex – a series of trials helping us, and the wider energy industry, understand how households can help create a greener, more flexible energy system.
 

The trials run until December 2025 and Power Move Flex is your way to get involved. Whether you’re on the standard Flex option, or Flex for Charge Anytime for EV drivers using our Charge Anytime add-on, you’ll find all the answers you need below. 

What is Power Move Flex?

Power Move Flex is part of the CrowdFlex trials. It helps the grid by rewarding households who shift their electricity use to greener times of the day. They’re encouraged to use more when there’s more renewable energy (Power Up events), and to use less when the grid has higher levels of demand (Power Down events).
 

There’s also Power Move Flex for Charge Anytime – designed specifically for customers with the Charge Anytime add-on.

How does it work?

Once signed up, we’ll let you know when a Power Up or Power Down event is coming. We’ll contact you by email and sometimes SMS or push notifications.

• Power Up events: Shift your usual electricity use INTO the event window –like running the dishwasher or charging devices. You’ll be rewarded for using more than usual during that time.

• Power Down events: Shift your use OUT of the event window by reducing non-essential use. You’ll earn rewards for using less than usual.

If you’re on Power Move Flex for Charge Anytime, you’ll earn credit just by plugging in your EV as often and for as long as you can.

What rewards can I earn?

It depends which reward group you’re randomly placed into. Here’s what you could get:

• Reward per kWh shifted: Earn a set pence per kWh for every unit shifted above or below your usual. The rate is shared in your event notification.

• Community Bonus: Some groups can earn bonuses if your postcode-based community ranks in the top 10 for shifting energy together.

• Earn Free Electricity: Some groups can unlock up to 2 hours of free electricity on a Sunday, based on how well you shifted energy during the week.

You’ll get weekly and monthly updates on how you’re doing.

Power Move Flex - Free Hours of Electricity

As Power Move Flex is a trial, we're testing different reward methods. Some customers are able to earn up to 2 hours of free electricity instead of a £ per kWh reward. This is split into 2 groups:

Earn by how much you shift - In this group, customers can earn based on the amount of electricity they shift above or below their baseline, every 0.5 kWh = half an hour of free electricity the following week, up to a maximum of 2 hours.

Earn by how consistently you shift - In this group, customers can earn based on the amount of events they successfully shift electricity above or below their baseline, every 1 event successfully shifted in -half an hour of electricity the following week, up to a maximum of 2 hours.

Customers will be told in their weekly summary how much free electricity they've earned, and when they can use it.

These hours can't be changed, banked or exchanged. The free electricity is capped at 1 kWh per hour.

These free hours are completely separate/additional to the free hours you can get if you are a customer with Beyond, you won't see these hours in your app and they will be paid back by a separate bill credit and show on your bill as a Power Move Flex bill credit.

How do I join?

This is currently a trial & recruitment is now closed.

What’s the difference between Power Move Flex and Power Move Flex for Charge Anytime?

• Power Move Flex: Shift household electricity use in Power Up or Power Down events.

• Flex for Charge Anytime: Just plug in your EV as often as you can – we’ll optimise charging via the app, and you’ll earn credits for plug-in sessions.

You can also take part in Power Move, the monthly challenge to reduce peak-time energy, alongside either Flex option if you want.

How do I know if I’ve successfully joined?

Once you sign up, we’ll confirm if you’ve got a place. If not, you’ll be on the waitlist and we’ll contact you if a space opens up.

Do I need to opt into each event?

Yes – you’ll need to opt in via the button in your event email before the event starts. Opting in ensures any action you take is counted toward your rewards.

Will this cost me anything?

Nope! It’s free to join and take part. You’ll still pay your normal electricity rates, including the Charge Anytime 7p/kWh rate if you’re on that plan.

Using more electricity just to earn rewards isn’t usually cost-effective – it’s best to shift activities you’d do anyway.

What if my smart meter stops communicating or I switch suppliers?

Unfortunately, if your smart meter stops communicating, or you switch away from OVO, we won’t be able to measure your usage, and you won’t be eligible for rewards anymore.

How is Power Move Flex calculated?

Power Move Flex is calculated using a baseline from your last 10 working days without events. This baseline, also used in the  Demand Flexibility Service  (P376), helps measure changes in usage during event periods. As part of the trial, we’re aiming for the right balance, enough events for meaningful results, but not so many that the baseline becomes unreliable. We’re continually validating the method against a control group and will take action if any clear issues are found. By running this test, we’re learning how to improve flexibility markets, and your participation and feedback directly influence the future of the energy grid.

Can I opt out of the trial?

Yes – just hit the opt-out button on any Power Move Flex email you receive.

Quick tips for Power Up and Power Down

For Power Up:

• Run appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, or charge your devices

• Try shifting normal activities into the event window, but avoid just using extra electricity unnecessarily

For Power Down:

• Delay using big appliances

• Turn off standby devices and unused plug sockets

• Save energy-hungry tasks for later

What if I move home?

If you move, sadly you’ll no longer be part of the trial. But keep an eye out for future flexibility trials we might run.
 

If I’m on Power Move for Charge Anytime, can I also take part in Power Up/Power Down events?

No. You can only take part in one or the other. If you have Charge Anytime, you’re not eligible for Power Up/Power Down events, so you won’t be invited.

How is my “baseline” usage calculated for events?

Your baseline shows what your electricity use would likely be without an event. We calculate it from your most recent 10 working days without any events, following the same approach as the Demand Flexibility Service (P376). We monitor these baselines closely, checking them against a control group and adjusting if necessary. This ensures the trial data stays accurate while still being fair to participants. By joining in and sharing feedback, you’re helping to shape how flexibility programmes operate in the years ahead.

Why do I get event notifications so late in the morning? Can they be sent the day before?

We can’t change the notification time during this trial. Part of the learning is understanding the impact of shorter notice periods—if people can’t take part because of timing, that’s valuable feedback for making sure proper notice is given in the future.

How can I check which events I’ve opted in for?

At the moment, the app doesn’t confirm opt-ins for this trial. Feedback like this helps us improve future offers.

Please note: you must opt in before an event starts. Many customers who believe they’ve opted into all events have been doing so after they’ve ended, based on timestamp checks.

When to Run Appliances for Maximum Benefit?

For appliances like dishwashers, when should I run them during a Power Up event? Most appliances use the most energy early in the cycle (especially when heating water). Even if an event is only an hour long, running it during that period means that part of the cycle is rewarded.
It’s all about shifting, so moving your usage into reward periods will count towards your Power Move Flex rewards.

I accidentally unsubscribed from event notifications - can I be re-added?

Unfortunately, no. If you unsubscribe through your email client, we can’t reinstate notifications for the trial. This is outside of our control.
 

How are the ‘Free Hours’ in Power Move Flex different from OVO Beyond?

Power Move Flex is a trial testing new reward methods. Some customers can earn up to 2 hours of free electricity instead of a £/kWh reward. There are two trial groups:

• Earn by how much you shift: Every 0.5 kWh shifted = 30 minutes of free electricity next week (max 2 hours).

• Earn by how consistently you shift: Every successful event = 30 minutes of free electricity next week (max 2 hours).

Your weekly summary will show how much free electricity you’ve earned and when you can use it.
These hours:

• Can’t be changed, banked, or exchanged.

• Are capped at 1 kWh per hour.

• Are separate from Beyond’s free hours. They won’t appear in your app—they’ll be credited separately on your bill as “Power Move Flex bill credit.”

If I generate most of my electricity from solar panels, is it worth joining Power Move Flex events?

There’s no penalty for not opting in. Rewards are based on energy you use from the grid during an event. If you’re generating your own electricity at the same time, you’ll need to decide whether the cost vs. reward makes it worthwhile, or if using your solar is the better option.

Any other questions?

Drop them in the comments below. Our team and community are here to help.

Want to learn more about CrowdFlex? Check out our full CrowdFlex FAQs.

And for those on Charge Anytime, here’s the Charge Anytime Flex FAQs.