Power Use and Grid balancing

We have an EV and I always make sure I charge it when there is max renewable electricity according to the National Grid ESO app. It’s only a guide as it’s ‘when to plug in’ doesn’t relate to regions but there’s a map which helps. It’s like Ovo’s Greenlight but easier to interpret. Sorry OVO! I use that app to set the washing machine and dishwasher too though I realise their use is trivial compared to the car. Right now my area is 58% wind generated power so perfect to plug everything in.

Thanks for the info on the National Grid app - I wasn’t aware of that. We have a hybrid as I’m still hedging my bets on future tech. I’ve always looked at the carbon indicator on the OVO site but NG has better info and shows the diverse power grid we have in the UK. 
I’m really keen to use what we can to make better choices on power consumption 

I think reducing peak demand is the primary issue. If you can avoid addional power sources having to come online to satisfy demand then that is ultimately a good thing.

EVs will be charged at the cheapest times if at all possible. This is generally when the grid is the greenest anyway.

Out of interest, you say you are hedging your bets on future tech. What in particular are you waiting for? Yes, technology is improving all the time. But if everyone kept waiting for the next big thing to come along none of us would have computers or mobile phones.

@nealmurphy I tend to agree, especially as energy storage is improving and off peak adds to the lower carbon use. We have had solar PV for over 13 years and added battery storage about a year ago. 
My view on EV’s is the need for infrastructure improvement. The charging system out and about is not ideal at present. There are still developments in hydrogen technology as well so we’ll see how things go. I’m keen to do my bit to reduce carbon emissions hence the current hybrid. But taxation and other policies tend to play with a heavy hand as well

@BPLightlog agree about the EV charging infrastructure.

As for hydrogen, I can't see that happening any time soon for light vehicles. Shell seem to be concentrating on goods vehicles now, so the 500 hydrogen cars on the road now only have 11 filling points available.

https://www.electrive.com/2022/10/18/shell-quietly-closes-all-hydrogen-filling-stations-in-the-uk/

I notice a few more companies still in development of hydrogen cars but it is a longer term resolution. 
More significantly National Grid appear to be pushing peak use reduction significantly now. 
 

National Grid raises discounts for off-peak electricity use

Going off on a slight tangent... there's an app called "When to plug in" that shows the carbon intensity of our electricity at various times of day.

Is that the same one that @juliamc mentions above? National Grid ESO. I hadn’t heard of it before but not have it and take a look each day. Unless you’re in Scotland, it’s a bit depressing at the minute as we’re generating mostly from gas

It looks similar.