Energy solutions firm Octopus Energy is leveraging Tesla Powerwall’s capabilities along with Kraken to enable consumers to access power when it is cheaper and greener.

“Two energy tech giants are coming together to get the most out of clean tech in people’s homes. Now that Powerwall is integrated into Kraken, it will pass on further savings for customers while helping to balance the grid,” said Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Octopus Energy’s chief product and marketing officer.

Kraken, Octopus Energy’s end-to-end platform, is designed to enhance the smart grid’s efficiency and improve energy suppliers’ customer service.

Built on advanced data and machine learning capabilities, it automates much of the energy supply chain, allowing customers to benefit from lower energy costs and greener energy usage.

Kraken currently manages over 54 million customer accounts through license agreements with energy giants like E.ON, Origin Energy, and EDF and manages 1GW of shiftable power through connected devices.

Its integration into Tesla Powerwall aims to maximise customer earnings by enabling flexible responses to energy prices throughout the day.

According to the announcement, customers on the ‘Intelligent Octopus Flux’ tariff can save an average of £250 annually compared to standard tariffs, as Powerwall can charge when prices are low and discharge when prices are high.

This automated process, managed by Octopus’ Kraken software, provides financial benefits to consumers and supports the grid by more effectively balancing demand and supply.

The stored energy in Tesla Powerwall units can aggregate and feed back into the grid during high-demand periods, helping to stabilise the grid and prevent blackouts.

The partnership between Octopus Energy and Tesla aims to drive significant growth in the renewable energy market.

The integration also contributes to broader grid flexibility and efficiency. By reducing the reliance on fossil fuel-based power and optimising energy consumption patterns, the collaboration claims it will help decrease overall carbon footprints and support global efforts to combat climate change.

As part of the partnership, Octopus Energy is now certified to install the Tesla Powerwall in Spain and the UK.

Octopus’ services division, which has built a reputation for rolling out solar panels, heat pumps, electric car chargers, and smart meters, will handle the installations.

The company plans to hire up to 4,000 new team members in the UK this year to accelerate the energy transition.

The post Octopus Energy and Tesla team up to boost smart tariffs and flexible grid services appeared first on TechInformed.

US regulators are set to agree on a deal to investigate leading companies in the AI market, including Microsoft, OpenAI and Nvidia, over antitrust concerns.

A report from the New York Times claims the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have agreed to a deal over antitrust investigations into the three firms, which are leading the way in generative AI adoption.

Nvidia, which recently became the second most valuable listed company (behind only Microsoft), faces a DoJ probe into whether it has broken antitrust laws that oversee fair competition in the chipset industry.

OpenAI and its backer, Microsoft, will also be investigated, with the FTC taking the lead over their relationship and the development of ChatGPT. This follows a January call from the FTC for major players in AI, including Google, Amazon, and Anthropic, to provide information on recent investments and partnerships in the sector.

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Musk and brother accused of insider trading in Tesla lawsuit

Elon Musk is facing a lawsuit in Delaware brought by the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI).

The lawsuit alleges that Musk and his brother Kimbal, a director at Tesla, improperly sold a combined $30 billion worth of shares between late 2021 and the end of 2022.

This latest lawsuit adds to Musk’s growing list of legal challenges, including a similar action filed by Tesla shareholder Michael Perry, alleging insider trading, and a regulatory investigation into his Twitter purchase.

Moreover, Tesla shareholders are scheduled to vote on whether to reinstate Musk’s $56 billion pay package, which a Delaware judge voided in January due to findings of improper control over the approval process.

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Waymo recalls autonomous vehicles after taxi incident

Self-driving car firm Waymo has issued a voluntary recall of its fleet of 672 autonomous vehicles following a collision involving a self-driving taxi last month.

The Waymo cab collided with a telephone pole in Phoenix, Arizona, but the vehicle was unoccupied at the time. The car itself was damaged, but no humans were injured.

The incident has prompted Waymo to file a recall notion with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to update the software of its entire fleet.

It is the second recall the company has conducted this year, following a decision in February after two incidents were reported in Phoenix at the end of 2023.

Waymo has grown its fleet from the 444 vehicles in operation during the previous recall, and it is planning to expand to four US cities later this year.

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Apple reclaims top spot as most valuable company following AI plans

Apple has retaken the spot as the world’s most valuable listed company following its recent developer’s conference, at which it unveiled plans to launch a new AI offering.

The tech giant’s market cap surged to over $3.34 trillion, leapfrogging Microsoft (worth a paltry $3.26 trillion) and Nvidia, which only jumped to second place last week.

Forty years on from the Mac vs. PC rivalry, Microsoft and Apple are still locking horns, with Apple on top… for now.

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Carlos Slim buys £400m stake in BT

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim has acquired a 3% stake in British Telecom’s incumbent BT, worth around £400 million.

Three companies controlled by the Slim family bought the shareholding, and he joins other major telco investors, such as Altice-owner Patrick Drahi and German operator Deutsche Telekom, as a major stakeholder in the firm.

BT said it “welcomed any investor who recognises the long-term value of our business” and “looks forward to engaging” with Slim’s companies. Slim is one of Latin America’s wealthiest individuals. His telecoms group, América Móvil, has previously invested in European operations, including Dutch incumbent KPM and Telekom Austria.

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