Flex
Smug Flex is coming soon!
We are closing in on launching Smug Flex. This will connect you to the flexibility markets, where you can get paid for responding to grid demand. With Flex, our app will be a comprehensive way to get the best out of your battery.
By building a virtual power plant out of Smug-connected systems, we will gain access to the flexibility markets. With this capability we can then pay you to contribute and absorb energy at certain times. While we’ll take a small cut of what you make, we aim to be more generous than others in this space.
Smug Flex will be operational in the near future. Sign up for a pre-launch briefing pack here, so you are prepared to flick the switch.
Drop us a line for all things Smug, at hello@smug.energy
FAQs
This is a techy subject, so we’ll keep it simple. The grid is decarbonising, and we can all adapt our energy use to make the most of this change. Wind and solar are variable forms of generation. This comes with challenges, but for Smug Flex this is a good thing.
In the flexibility markets, generators and consumers are paid to adjust their generation and use based on the needs of this variable energy supply. So, at times of peak energy use on the network, with Flex you could be paid to power down, and use less electricity. When there is excess generation, when it is particularly sunny or windy, you might even be paid to charge up, and use more power!
Your home energy system can soon become part of our power plant. Don’t worry, you won’t have to burn any coal and you won’t become endlessly radioactive; our power plant will be a virtual one. Flex will link together lots of Smug-connected home batteries and coordinate them.
Our software will work quietly in the background, timing when all these connected devices use or store power. By harmonising in this way, we can offer our flexibility and work together to support the grid.
During periods when the grid is constrained, we will instruct the battery systems that are signed up to Flex to export into the grid. We may also top up your battery beforehand to maximise the amount you can discharge. We’ll always stay within the limits of what your battery is capable of, and we’ll always make sure that any action we take is financially beneficial. We won’t for example charge up at peak rate if the flex payments you received would be less.
There are also occasions when the grid has more renewable energy than it needs, if it is sunny and windy at a weekend for example. At those times we should be able to pay you to charge your battery!
By reaching a critical mass of Flex users, we can join forces and form a virtual power plant. When you toggle Smug Flex, your devices become part of this.
To offer your flexibility for grid balancing, you need far more capacity than a single household can provide. So, by bidding into flexibility markets as one, we can respond to grid demand. Smug will continue to optimise your usage as normal, and Flex will work these extra peaks and troughs into that equation. You earn money, and help to balance the grid.
The Smug app already pares £100s from your energy bills, and with Flex you will be able to earn as well as save. Contributing and absorbing energy at opportune moments will let your battery actually generate income. Flex will take a small cut of these profits so that we can bring you new updates and developments.
We are working hard to bring you Smug Flex as soon as possible! We are aiming for a beta launch with a set of users in November 2026.
