Net zero energy is energy generated from sources recognised by our energy regulator, Ofgem, as having zero carbon emissions. They are currently renewable energy, and nuclear generated energy and biogas. You can read more about this here.

Our take on it is this: carbon neutral means you pay for someone else to reduce the carbon they're emitting, whilst you continue to emit what you do, but so they balance each other out. Net zero means you physically remove the equivalent amount of carbon you have emitted from the atmosphere.

The grid is a network of high-voltage power lines, gas pipelines, interconnectors and storage facilities that transport gas and electricity from generators to homes and businesses. Since all the energy gets pooled into the same network, you can’t guarantee that your energy comes from any single source. Green and net zero tariffs instead work by guaranteeing that enough energy from those sources are put into the grid to match the amount of energy you use at home. This is reconciled on an annual basis via certificates that our regulator, Ofgem, validates.

Because the tariff you choose is only reconciled on an annual basis, in terms of matching your usage to net zero sources, there are additional ways you can support net zero energy in our grid. This is to time your usage to when the grid has a higher net zero fuel mix. It’s not always possible to change the time you do things but for example, if you don’t mind when the dishwasher goes on overnight, as long as the dishes are clean in the morning, this is an example of flexible usage i.e. it can happen anytime within a longer timeframe. The National Grid is constantly balancing demand and supply and the grid cannot have either too much nor too little without there being a cost impact. So also responding to when there is a risk of surplus energy in the grid, also massively helps ensure we use and don’t waste energy. You can sign up to our live fuel mix alerts here.

Given renewable energy is essentially powered by the weather, it’s impossible to always predict how much will be generated at any given time. Therefore, to guarantee we all have power, all of the time, there needs to be a mix of energy generated from at least one other source. Nuclear is currently the only other method of generating electricity that is recognised by our regulator, Ofgem, as having zero carbon emissions. Unlike renewable energy, it can be generated predictably, to ensure there is always a minimum baseline of energy that can then be topped up by energy from renewable sources to meet our needs. Things like battery storage can make a difference as to what percentage split might be needed, as this enables renewable energy to be used in a more predictable way, whatever the weather!

Please see here.