Energy Local Totnes Member's Information Pack

If you have any questions please contact totnes@energylocal.org.uk.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Energy Local Club: What's it about?
• Smart Meters
• Electricity Prices
• How to get the most out of Energy Local Totnes
• Your Electricity Use
• The Club Dashboard
• How your bill is calculated
• Making the biggest savings
• Your Energy Local Club
• FAQs
• Contacting Us
• Project Partners
• Glossary
• Data Protection

Introduction

In this pack you’ll find all the information you need to make the most of being a member including:

• How best to use your local clean power
• Supporting your community
• How to save money on your electricity bills.

https://energylocal.org.uk/totnes

The Energy Local Club: What’s it about?

More community power

• By working together, we will cut our electricity bills and support renewable energy.
• Our community becomes more aware of how we buy our electricity.

Lower bills

• Use local renewable generation at the match price when it is available and access a low overnight tariff.
• Save more by shifting your electricity use away from peak times and learn to reduce your electricity use together with your community.

More renewable energy

• Because of Energy Local Clubs, renewable generators are getting a better price for their power.
• This better price means more renewables could be built, and through the Energy Local Club more people can save on their bills.
• We want to expand the network of Energy Local Clubs and keep money local.
• More renewables will help us to protect our environment and tackle climate change. 

Your Smart Meter and CAD

Before you joined the Club you will have had a smart meter fitted. This is used to calculate your bill based on when you use power.

In addition, you may have received a Consumer Access Device or CAD. This little box is important as it gives a live data feed to the Club Dashboard. All the data from the CADs is added up so that everyone in the Club can see the Club’s consumption at any time on the Club Dashboard. This helps all the Club members know when it’s a good time to use power. 

It is important that the CAD remains plugged in and connected to your home wifi. If you change your wifi provider, name or password, these need to be updated. Energy Local will give you instructions on how to install your CAD when you receive it.

A few older smart meters are not yet compatible with the CAD so some members will only see their data with a day’s delay. Similarly, if you do not have a CAD, your data will still show in the Energy Local dashboard, but with a day’s delay.

You may have an “In Home Display” (these are the little screens that show you how much your power is costing you) which arrived when you had a smart meter installed. 

*Please be aware that these will no longer show the correct costs for your electricity.* 

The kilowatt hours will still be the same and your gas, if you have it, will not be affected.

Electricity prices

As part of the Energy Local Club, you will use a mixture of:

1. Electricity that is “matched” to the local renewable generator output at the agreed match price. This is the same price at all times.
2. “Extra” electricity sold by The Licensed Electricity Supplier (100Green), charged at different prices at different times of the day.
3. A daily standing charge, which covers the cost of being connected to the electricity network and other operational costs. This includes an Energy Local fee of £6.00 per year, and your agreed Energy Local Club fee of £2.00.

The data from your smart meter is used to calculate your bills.

Your Prices for Power

The standing charge is 71.53 p/day.

Prices do not include VAT.

Locally Generated Power

Local power is generated by Solar Power & Hydro Power.

You will be charged a lower price for each time period (day, peak, night) when you use electricity at the same time as the Club generator(s) is generating.

Your usage is measured by your smart meter in half-hourly blocks. The locally generated energy is shared evenly between all members of the Club who are using electricity during each half-hour time block. This means you can benefit from cheaper, greener power when it’s being generated locally.

The amount of generation available will depend on the weather and the number of households using power in that half hour.

“Extra” Electricity is charged at different prices depending on the time of day.

At some times of day it will be possible to match all of your electricity use to electricity that is being generated by the Club generator(s). At other times your electricity use will be bigger than your share of the local generation, and you will buy this “extra” electricity from the licensed electricity supplier at the tariff above.

What can I do to shift my electricity demand?

When is my share of the Local Renewable Generator likely to be bigger or smaller?

Bigger

• When it has been raining a lot recently, so that the generator(s) is producing lots of electricity.

• When the sun is shining, so that the generator(s) is producing lots of electricity.

• When fewer Energy Local Club members are using electricity (often overnight and midday) and the Club’s generation is being shared between fewer people.

Smaller

• When it has not been raining a lot recently, so that the generator(s) isn't producing as much electricity.

• When it is overcast or dark, so that the generator(s) isn't producing as much electricity.

• When more Club members are using electricity(often mornings and evenings) and the Club’s generation is being shared between more people.

Examples of choosing when to use power at cheaper times

It’s an overcast day in winter or a long time since it rained

The Club’s generator isn’t generating very much power so you have to think about when is the best time to run the dishwasher.

If you switch it on straight after dinner at 7pm, you will be charged the highest rate for the first hour of the cycle.

If you wait an hour, you will be charged at the overnight rates which will be a cheaper option.

It’s a busy morning

Between 8 and 8:30 you cook breakfast, make a pot of coffee, put on the dishwasher and the washing machine and 3 people use the electric shower.

Lots of people in the Club are using power at that time so your share of the renewable energy is smaller than at quieter times of the day so there may not be enough for everything you are doing in the half hour block.

The power you use that isn’t covered by the local renewables is supplied by 100Green and is charged at the appropriate rate for that time of day.

Could you put on the dishwasher and washing machine at a time when less people are using power?

It’s mid afternoon on a sunny or rainy day

Between 2:30pm and 3:00pm you run the clothes dryer and listen to the radio, using 1 kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity.

At that time not many people are using power, and your share of the electricity being generated locally is 1kWh.

All of your use in the half hour block is covered by the local generator so you pay the lower match price for that electricity.

How to get the most out of Energy Local Totnes

Your electricity use

It’s important to understand when you use electricity. This will help you shift some things you do to cheaper times of the day or when you know there is more generation available.

A typical household uses electricity differently throughout the day with a small peak at breakfast time - when people are showering and boiling the kettle - and a bigger peak in the evening when people switch on the lights, cook dinner in the oven and watch the TV.

This is the electricity use in a day of a typical UK home:

But everyone’s different - night owls, home workers, early risers, retirees, shift workers; we all have our own habits and lifestyles. 

To help you understand when and how much energy you use, you’ll be able to use the Club Dashboard where you can see the times of day that you use more or less electricity. Then you can use this information to think about what you can do at cheaper times to keep your bills as low as possible.

There will also be monthly reports available on the Club Dashboard showing how much electricity you used at each price and how much local renewable power you used. 

The Club Dashboard

To help you understand more about your electricity use, and save as much money as possible, we have created an online dashboard you can access on your computer, tablet or smartphone.

The Club Dashboard adds up all the electricity used in the Club and local generation available in each half hour, factors in the weather forecast for the local Solar Power & Hydro Power and uses modelling on historical energy consumption to give you the best idea on when to use your appliances.

The Club Dashboard has a Club page which shows the energy consumption of all the members together. It also has a private page just for you which shows your own use and reports. You will be sent a username and password to be able to access this. 

The dashboard provides information including:

• The best times to use electricity, with details of how much local renewable power is available and live information on the price of any “extra” electricity.
• Details of your current and previous month’s electricity consumption and how much it has cost.
• How the members of the Energy Local Club are doing as a group at taking advantage of the cheaper local renewable generation and midday and overnight “extra” electricity prices.

The graph below shows an example of the electricity consumption and generation in a Club. Each bar is a half-hour slot showing the energy demand within the Club. The lighter peaks show where excess local power is available. On the live dashboard you will be able to hover over each bar to see how much power is available, and how much has been used in the Club. 

The graph clearly shows when there is more local generation available than is being used within the Club. These would be good times to run or schedule your appliances.

Example solar energy generation and consumption dashboard display.

Example hydro energy generation and consumption dashboard display.

So think about what time of day you can run your appliances at a cheaper rate. Perhaps run your washing machine in the early afternoon, or leave it until after 8pm to benefit from the low overnight price.

To view the Club Dashboard visit: https://dashboard.energylocal.org.uk/totnes.

You will be provided with a username and password so that you can access your own electricity data.

How your bill is calculated

1. Each household’s energy is measured each half hour by the smart meter.
2. The generation available is shared amongst those households using power during that half hour.
3. The total kilowatt hours each house uses from the renewable generation is calculated and multiplied by the unit rate for “match tariff”, which is a flat rate. (See above.)
4. Any “extra” electricity used is calculated for each house on the Time of Use Tariff which depends on the time of day at which the electricity is being used.
5. The standing charge and VAT are then added. 

Making the biggest savings

We expect that you will be able to reduce the amount you pay for your electricity by around 10% or more. To achieve these savings, you could:

• Use energy more efficiently. Think about what doesn’t need to be left on or on standby.
• Take advantage of the cheaper, local renewable power and use the lower overnight and daytime prices when there isn’t enough local renewable power to cover everyone’s usage. Try to avoid using the more expensive “extra” electricity, particularly at peak time (4pm-8pm) when possible.
• Change the time when you turn on the big users like a washing machine.
• Turn the big users on at different times to get more from your Club’s renewables.
• Invest in energy efficient lighting and/or appliances
• Invest in smart plugs to enable scheduling of charging devices and appliances
• Houses heated or cooled by electricity could benefit from fabric upgrades through grant and loan schemes.  Things such as draft proofing and thick curtains are simple but effective heat saving measures.

There are some energy saving tips on the Club Dashboard: go to the "Tips" tab. There is also lots of information about low to zero cost energy efficiency measures online and in hardware shops.

Your Energy Local Club

The Energy Local Club is a co-operative which means every member has a say in how it’s run and can vote on key decisions. You will be able to vote on future decisions about the Club, which could include the price of the match tariff, who the directors are and any other development the Club may want to make.

Each year there will be an Annual General Meeting (AGM) for you to talk about what the Club has done over the past year and plan for the next year. This is the time you can help make changes, for example choosing to recruit more members and renewable energy generators, and reviewing the match tariff price.  

FAQs

What happens if I move house?

You are obliged to inform 100Green when you move house. Your new home may not be able to join the Club. Please advise your Club Administrator that you are moving or have moved and they will advise you on the next steps. Let Energy Local know so we can update your records. 

What if I want to change supplier?

100Green does not charge exit fees for households wishing to leave. However, it would be best to contact us before you try to move supplier to make sure it can go through smoothly. We will need to remove you from the Energy Local Club.

How do I leave the Energy Local Club?

Please advise us in writing by email if you would like to be removed from the Club. We will liaise with 100Green to advise you want to be removed. They will be in touch to set you up on your preferred tariff unless you want to also switch supplier.

We request that you try to commit to participate for at least one year; however, if for unforeseen circumstances you need to leave, you can move to an alternative supplier tariff or switch supplier.

What happens if I change my wifi password or router?

Please contact info@energylocal.co.uk for support with this.

What happens if my meter is changed?

You will continue to be billed as normal but if you have a Consumer Access Device (CAD) it may stop working. Please contact info@energylocal.co.uk for support with this.

What is a Consumer Access Device (CAD)?

It is important that all the Club members have CADs to show the collective use. Find out more about CADs and how to set yours up.

What happens if the CAD breaks?

Please contact us: info@energylocal.org.uk

Can I have my gas supply with same supplier?

Yes. If you ticked the dual fuel/gas box when you applied to Energy Local, 100Green should be in touch to transfer it across. If you haven’t heard from them and want to switch your gas, please contact 100Green to initiate an application.

Power cut

If you experience a power cut call 105. This is a free, national number that will connect you to your local electricity network operator. They are responsible for maintaining the power lines and substations that bring electricity to your home and can help you with power outages.

Contacting Us

If you have queries or problems, please contact your Energy Local Club representatives in the first place. Details can be found on your Club home page.

For enquires about Energy Local in general or further upcoming projects contact info@energylocal.org.uk.

Paying your bill or queries

If you have queries about your bill, paying your bill or your smart meter please contact info@energylocal.org.uk.

If your issue is not resolved you will find details of a complaints procedure on your electricity statement.

Complaints

If at any stage you have any complaints we will try and resolve them with you, or if necessary direct you to the relevant partners who can best help.

For complaints regarding the Energy Local Club team, we will:

• Aim to understand and record what the problem is.
• Aim to find a resolution that is agreeable to you.
• Let you know what lessons we have learnt and how we will do things differently in future.
• Email:  info@energylocal.org.uk
   

Project Partners

Energy Local CIC is a national non-profit company helping communities get more value from local renewable energy. You can learn more and see a list of our funders at www.energylocal.org.uk.

100Green is the Licensed Energy Supplier

Open Energy Monitor develops open-source energy monitoring tools to help us relate to our use of energy, our energy systems and the challenge of sustainable energy. https://openenergymonitor.org. They provide the monitors.

Connected Response provides the Consumer Access Devices.

Glossary 

Data Protection

Data provided by you will be held and managed in accordance with relevant legal requirements. It may be shared among the partners involved in Energy Local for the purposes of the trial aiding or assessing the scheme but will not be passed on to other third parties or used for any other purpose.