Use batteries to slash your energy bills

UK Government has launched the first phase of a four-year plan in order to bring down the average cost of domestic electricity bills.

The plan, cited at £246 milllion, is part of an investment into battery technology as a long-term vision including giant battery facilities around the National Grid to store excess wind and solar energy that is produced in preparation for a rise in demand.

Homes throughout the UK will be helped with solar panels in order to generate and store their own electricity, employing the new batteries in order to sell the remaining power back to the National Grid when it is not required.

Costs will also be reduced for both domestic and business customers who turn off their appliances at peak times, in favour of powering their equipment at the cheaper off-peak times.

Estimations from the government and Ofgem (the energy industry regulator) currently state that consumers could save between a massive £17 billion and £40 billion by the year 2050.

The first phase is to be known as the 'Faraday Challenge', named after the Victorian English scientist who studied electromagnetism and electrochemistry.

Plans include establishing a centre for battery research in order to make the UK a world leader in design, development and the manufacturing of electric batteries. The project will be lead by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in order to join the most innovative minds and best facilities with the goal of making products more accessible and affordable.

Earlier in 2017 a consultation was held with regards to the industry's strategy to increase productivity within the UK and received more than 1,900 responses from a variety of businesses and organisations.

Cleaner technologies remain the priority for the industry.

Business and energy secretay Greg Clark said: "A smarter energy system will create new businesses and high-skilled jobs, while making sure our infrastructure is able to cope with demand."

Gareth Redmond-King, head of climate and energy at WWF, said battery storage was a "game-changer" in the ability to produce clean power from renewables.

"These technologies give us flexibility to run on solar when the sun isn't shining, and be powered by wind when it is still.

"It will support the transition to electric cars and enable our homes to be more efficient - which means cheaper, as well as cleaner and greener energy."


It's always worth ensuring that both your home and business are running as efficiently as possible. This means that you can keep an eye on your energy expenditure and be aware of any unnessecary expenses that could otherwise be avoided. If you're unsure whether or not you're on the best rate for your energy spend, get in touch with our gurus for your free, no obligation, quote at energyadviceline.org.uk

Does better service mean better prices?

Business energy users and households should consider customer service as well as price when choosing a supplier, according to the Energy Advice Line.

The call follows a newspaper survey that showed a huge disparity between suppliers when it came to total spending on customer service.

“Instances of very poor customer service and bungling by energy suppliers still abound and this comparison of spending sheds interesting light on possible reasons why,” Mr Morgan said.

“The difference between the highest and lowest spenders on customer service is significant, so it seems sensible to consider factors in addition to price when making a decision on which supplier to go with.”

The Telegraph newspaper defined customer service to including complaints handling as well as simple requests such as a change of address, and any technology that customers can use to communicate with their supplier.

Of those suppliers who responded to the request for information about spending on customer services, Scottish Power rated the highest at £42 per head per year. However, this included a one-off investment to improve out-of-date IT systems and does not reflect ongoing investment in customer services. Ofgem banned the firm from recruiting new customers last month until it had fixed its customer services problems.

First Utility was ranked second highest spender at £26 per customer each year, followed by British Gas (£16), E.On (£14) and npower (at least £6.67). EDF and SSE refused to disclose their customer services spending.

“We help countless customers each year who contact us in desperation and frustration at the terrible standards of customer service offered by their supplier,” Mr Morgan said.

“Resolving a problem with a bill, or even changing something as simple as an address, can prove to be a time-consuming and infuriating exercise. If you are a business this can be an expensive waste of time.

“We would urge all customers not to make price the only factor when choosing supplier, although value-for-money is obviously crucial.

“Our expert advisers, who know the energy industry well, can help you make the right informed choice.”

The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy market reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, including calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.

The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. The service also offers a free advice line for business energy customers.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

Will independent suppliers help you save?

The UK’s most highly rated price comparison and switching service for energy users has urged consumers in search of the best deals to seek out smaller independent suppliers.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the service ranked number one on consumer feedback site Trustpilot, said more independent suppliers were entering the energy market than ever and challenging the monopoly of the Big Six.

“The clear message for consumers is that there are highly competitive alternatives to the major players now and it makes sound financial sense to take a look at what the independents are offering,” Mr Morgan said.

“Consumers have made it clear that they have lost faith in the Big Six after years of high prices and lack of competition in the market. I am pleased to report that that situation has started to change.

“The suppliers on our panel now include more small and independent suppliers than ever before, and they’re offering highly competitive deals in a bid to take on the Big Six.

“We’re advising both domestic and non-domestic energy consumers to use a reputable and independent price comparison service like the Energy Advice Line to seek out the smaller players to see what they have to offer.

“These consumers could well save money and bag a better level of customer service if they do.”

Extra Energy, a highly competitive new entrant to the UK energy market, launched two new tariffs costing less than £940 in a bid to take the top spot for the cheapest dual-fuel energy tariff of 2014.

In November it was reported that more than 36% of all consumers who switched energy supplier had switched to Extra Energy to take advantage of the big savings being offered to homes and businesses.

The company claims that by running “a highly efficient and lean operation” that does not advertise it is able to pass on big savings to consumers.

Mr Morgan the business model adopted by Extra Energy and other new entrants to the UK energy market was proving very popular with business and domestic energy consumers.

“High prices, poor service and tarnished reputations of the big energy suppliers are prompting more and more consumers to consider their options,” Mr Morgan said.

“Lots of consumers are now switching to small, independent suppliers that might not be household names but are offering competitive deals and the prospect of better customer service.

“Smaller companies are often more nimble and customer-focused because they have to be competitive to get ahead. This is winning over customers who have lost faith in the Big Six.”

The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy market reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, including calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.

The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. The service also offers a free advice line for business energy customers.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk