Power Move Flex: the results.
How our customer trials helped change the future of energy
During 2024 and 2025, we ran pioneering energy trials for over 60,000 customers. We rewarded them for shifting their energy use to greener times of the day.
All about the trial.
Power Move Flex was part of the nationwide CrowdFlex project, sponsored by Ofgem and NESO, the National Energy System Operator. It helped make the most of the UK’s renewable energy, as well as giving customers more control over their bills.
We asked people to either Power Up (use appliances at quieter times) or Power Down (move their energy use out of peak times). OVO paid out £1 million to customers over 5 trials for shifting their energy use to greener times.
How Power Move Flex worked.
Our customers’ feedback.
Learning fromPower Move Flex.
People want to go greener
The strongest reason for joining the trial was the opportunity to save money, said 69% of people. But 46% also wanted to contribute to a greener grid. Another 46% were driven by the challenge of using less peak-time energy.
Switching on is easier than off
People were rewarded to Power Up – using appliances at times when there’s more renewable energy on the grid, or Power Down – turning things off at peak hours. People found Power Up challenges twice as easy, as they could plan ahead.
It helps to plan ahead
Triallists who had a day’s notice of the times to increase or lower their energy use were more likely to join in than those with 2 hours’ notice, so planning ahead can be really helpful.
Lots of people can be more flexible
While homeowners with electric cars or heat pumps were able to flex the most, the trials also involved renters and customers with extra energy needs. They were able to change the times they used their energy too.
It’s best to be smart
30% more people flexed their energy use when it was automated – through using devices like smart thermostats. This means smart appliances could help build a more flexible energy system.
Once you start, you won’t stop
People said once they’d got used to being more flexible with their energy, it became a habit. 73% of EV owners said they’ll keep plugging in when they park so their cars can be charged when the grid’s greenest.
Measuring energy flexibility
Our experts looked at how to measure the gap between the customers’ expected and actual energy use. This is the electricity a home or electric vehicle would’ve used if the triallists hadn't shifted their energy use to help the grid. Getting this calculation - the baseline - right is important. It means customers are paid fairly for their energy flexibility, and the grid stays stable.
Data from over 60,000 homes and 7,000 EVs during our trials showed that things like the weather or EV charging habits could have a big effect on baselines.
Hear all about it.
Listen to us join Innovate UK’s Bright Spark podcast to discuss how the Power Move Flex trials can help build long-term energy flexibility habits. We talk about how automated energy shifts can make a real difference, and that reliable, rewarding tech is key to helping people make changes.
More ways to use energy flexibly.
Important to know
A year’s free energy is set at a maximum bill credit of £2,000. A year’s free energy is calculated in line with Ofgem’s average Energy Price Cap for January-March 2025 for customers paying by Direct Debit, which is worked out based on a 2-3 bedroom house, with 2 to 3 occupants using 11,500 kWh gas and 2,700 kWh electricity per year. Credit may not equal one year’s free energy if you are a higher than average user or if the price cap were to increase beyond current forecasts. We’ll pay it as energy bill credit in 12 monthly instalments. For example, if you win a year's free energy in January, the credit would be applied to your bill in February and each following month up to the last payment in January the following year.
Our smart tech aims to charge your car when the grid has more renewable energy in it, within the time you’ve set. Meaning it’s less likely your EV will be charged by energy from fossil fuels.