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K
Rank 1
Katharine Bailey
Rank 1
August 30, 2025
Solved

Can I bank Power Move Flex free hours for use (during a selection of specified hours) when one is able to use them?

  • August 30, 2025
  • 8 replies
  • 223 views

Could the free electricity earned in Power Move Flex events be banked for use on a selection subsequent Sunday taken, please? It's very annoying to take the trouble to move usage to gain free hours and then to find that one is away and not able to benefit from the hours gained.

Best answer by Nukecad

Updated on 20/01/25 by Ben_OVO


Our current trials are now closed, and we'd like to thank our users for their participation.
 

 

The Beyond Free Hours are an OVO scheme, so there is (was?) a bit more choice of hours.

However you have to be aware that it isn’t OVO who set the hours for the ‘Flex’ events, so OVO can’t change them.

PM Flex is part of the “Demand Flexibility Service” run by the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO).

https://www.neso.energy/industry-information/balancing-services/demand-flexibility-service/demand-flexibility-service-explained

It’s NESO who set the hours.
OVO is a supplier taking part in the DFS, and have to offer their customers the hours that NESO dictate.

 

PS. If you want to know more about the DFS scheme, it’s history, and what is going on now and proposed for the future then this video breifing from July 2025 starts with a brief history of the scheme and where it is at now.
It does then get more for the Distribution and Supply industry and gets into the technical details of load balancing, cost margins, etc. etc. That level of technical detail is not everybody’s cup of tea, but I’m sure some will find it of interest:
https://players.brightcove.net/6415851838001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6376067165112

8 replies

J
Rank 2
JNeve
Rank 2
August 30, 2025

I agree it’s mostly on Sundays that is free to use my hours for electric but l am working so l am guessing l miss out on that don’t really know.

V
Rank 2
Vickiplum
Rank 2
August 30, 2025

I agree with you Katherine.  As a low user I don't earn enough to get free electricity and it's very frustrating  

Nukecad
Super User
NukecadSuper User
Super User
August 30, 2025

I'm not entirely sure if everyone is talking about PM ‘flex’ or about the Beyond free hours.

However my answer is the same in both cases.

The ‘Free Hours’ are timed to be when there is (expected to be) low demand on the grid.

Thats to encourage you to use your electricity at those times and not at other times when demand may be high.

If you could ‘bank’ the hours and use them at other times, maybe times when demand is high, then that would defeat the whole point.

It's all about being flexible, and moving when you use electricity - if you can. (Sometimes I can, sometimes not).

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
    V
    Rank 2
    Vickiplum
    Rank 2
    August 30, 2025

    But, your 'banked' hours could maybe be used on Sundays for example 

    C
    Rank 2
    costeek
    Rank 2
    August 30, 2025

    With Beyond free hours there was a sort of flexibility. With PM Flex there is no at all. Add more rules, like no more than a particular amount time in one go, only in particular period of time etc. Let say, you cannot store free hours longer than two weeks. There will be a little of choice, but it still will exist. 

    Nukecad
    Super User
    NukecadSuper UserSolved
    Super User
    August 31, 2025

    Updated on 20/01/25 by Ben_OVO


    Our current trials are now closed, and we'd like to thank our users for their participation.
     

     

    The Beyond Free Hours are an OVO scheme, so there is (was?) a bit more choice of hours.

    However you have to be aware that it isn’t OVO who set the hours for the ‘Flex’ events, so OVO can’t change them.

    PM Flex is part of the “Demand Flexibility Service” run by the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO).

    https://www.neso.energy/industry-information/balancing-services/demand-flexibility-service/demand-flexibility-service-explained

    It’s NESO who set the hours.
    OVO is a supplier taking part in the DFS, and have to offer their customers the hours that NESO dictate.

     

    PS. If you want to know more about the DFS scheme, it’s history, and what is going on now and proposed for the future then this video breifing from July 2025 starts with a brief history of the scheme and where it is at now.
    It does then get more for the Distribution and Supply industry and gets into the technical details of load balancing, cost margins, etc. etc. That level of technical detail is not everybody’s cup of tea, but I’m sure some will find it of interest:
    https://players.brightcove.net/6415851838001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6376067165112

    I said, Hey - Watts going on.
    Peter E
    Super User
    Peter ESuper User
    Super User
    August 31, 2025

    As a simple statement NESO are offering free electricity if you can take advantage of it at that time but it is highly perishable ‘goods’ and after that time it’s gone and not available until NESO see another time when it can offer that. It’s to help balance the grid during that particular one hour period.

     

    Peter

     

    Reducing my yearly fossil fuel usage with an EV (-900 litres petrol), A2AHP (-8,700 kWh gas) and Timed Immersion heater (-1,500 kWh gas)
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    September 1, 2025

    Could the free electricity earned in Power Move Flex events be banked for use on a selection subsequent Sunday taken, please? It's very annoying to take the trouble to move usage to gain free hours and then to find that one is away and not able to benefit from the hours gained.



    Great suggestion ​@Katharine Bailey, all feedback on the trial is really helpful. I’ll let the team know your suggestion 🙂

    Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
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