Netzero - Intelligent Octopus Go Integration
Introduction
Netzero integrates with the Intelligent Octopus Go EV tariff from Octopus Energy. By providing your Octopus API key and account number, you can configure your Powerwall to charge during smart charging slots outside the off-peak window.
This prevents discharging your Powerwall while your EV charges and maximizes use of cheaper electricity (7p / kWh), even outside the 23:30–05:30 night rate.
Setup
- Ensure you are on an Intelligent Octopus Go tariff and have a compatible EV or charger. Ohme chargers are not currently supported (see note below).
- In Netzero, go to Settings > Utility Rate Plan.
- Enter your Octopus API key from your Octopus account; it starts with sk_live.
- Enter your Octopus Energy account number from bills, emails, or the Octopus app, e.g. A-12A34A99.
- Switch on Automate Intelligent Octopus Go.
- Optionally enable Preserve charge instead of charging up to keep the Powerwall’s charge during a scheduled slot without charging it.
How it works
Netzero periodically checks for scheduled charging slots. When a slot falls outside the off-peak window (23:30–05:30), it sets the Powerwall backup reserve to 100% so the battery charges. Netzero stores and restores the previous backup reserve after the slot ends.
Notes
- If you have existing automations for smart charging slots (e.g., “When vehicle charging starts: Set backup reserve to 100%”), pause or remove them to avoid conflicts. API-based integration is more reliable.
- If a charging slot ends during the off-peak window (23:30–05:30), the backup reserve remains at 100% through the window and resets at 05:30 unless another slot is scheduled.
- If you override the 100% backup reserve while the EV charges, Netzero will not restore the previous reserve to avoid overriding manual changes.
- Ohme chargers are unsupported because the Octopus API lacks their smart charging schedule. This limitation is outside our control. Consider using home usage automations instead.
- The Powerwall’s charging rate varies: about 5 kW per Powerwall in Time-Based Control and 1.8 kW in Self-Powered mode. Utility limits may also affect the rate.