Octopus Energy and Tesla team up to boost smart tariffs and flexible grid services

Octopus Energy and Tesla have announced a collaboration that will integrate Tesla’s Powerwall technology with Octopus Energy’s proprietary Kraken platform —promising significant advancements in energy efficiency and customer savings.

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.