Question 1

Why is SCE partnering with Octopus?

Accepted Answer

SCE is evaluating how they can lower costs, help the grid, and improve service through flexible energy demand. By setting your device preferences from the Octopus Shift app (ie when you need your car charged by), you get your electric needs at cheaper and less impacted times, lowering costs for everyone.

Question 2

What's Octopus?

Accepted Answer

Octopus helps you earn money through smart control of smart devices. You connect your devices via the Octopus Shift app, tell us your device preferences (ie. what time would you like your EV charged by), we'll shift use to help the energy grid with what we call "events" and you'll earn $ through event participation. Plus, if you ever want to stop our smart control features, you can easily do so in the app.

Question 3

How much can I earn?

Accepted Answer

Customers can earn $625 if they connect one of each device type (EV, Thermostat, Battery) and allow them all to participate in at least one critical event.

*You can earn even more if you have two EV's and connect them both via different connection points. If both EV's are connected via the same Wallbox charger, this will only qualify as one device.

Question 4

How does Octopus control my device?

Accepted Answer

You tell us your device preferences and we make sure they are met. Within your preferences, we'll shift energy usage for at most 12 days ("Events") this year. EVs will also have daily optimization.

Batteries - Energy is exported back to the grid during an "Event". We won't exceed a 20% state of charge limit. You can override anytime.

Thermostats - On an "Event" day, we'll adjust your thermostat by a few degrees to reduce your power usage during the event - we'll even pre cool your house before so the vast majority of customers don't even notice! If you do however, you can override anytime.

EVs - On an "Event" day, we wont charge for a few hours during the worst times for the grid. You can override anytime. EV's will also be charged outside of peak TOU pricing periods on non event days.

We connect to your device via cloud control. We require you to authenticate your device during onboarding in the Octopus Shift app.

Question 5

What are the rewards for participating?

Accepted Answer

For every type of device, customers will be paid for; 1 - connecting the device, 2 - participating the device in an event and remaining enrolled through program end. In addition to direct payments, Octopus will charge EVs' on Time of Use electricity rates according to lower cost times to further reduce your energy bill.

If you connect all 3 devices and participate each one in an event, you will earn $625.
*Customers with two EV's or batteries with separate inverters may enroll (and will be paid for) both.

Question 6

How will I be paid?

Accepted Answer

Payment will be sent as a digital or physical prepaid debit card. These will be issued by the 5th of the following month each time you qualify for an incentive.

Question 7

How do I sign up?

Accepted Answer

Register for our waitlist using the form above. We'll notify you when you can download the app and connect your devices. Only the first 1000 eligible devices get access. Join while you still can!

The program will start in early August.

Question 8

What devices are eligible?

Accepted Answer

Ideally every smart device would be eligible. We are working with device manufacturers daily to add more devices to our compatible list. Here are the currently eligible makes:

Batteries:
- Enphase

Electric Vehicles:
- Any EV if charging with a Wallbox charger.
- Tesla with any charger.
- Volkswagen with any charger.
- Audi with any charger.
- Chevrolet with any charger.
	- Chevrolet Bolts not compatible.

*Thermostats:
- Sensi
- Ecobee

*Thermostats only eligible if connecting a battery and/or EV as well.

Question 9

I have an EV but I'm not on TOU Rate.

Accepted Answer

We'll still charge your EV outside of the 4 - 9 PM window when possible because it is beneficial to the grid. You can change your rate to take advantage of lower off peak prices on a TOU rate with SCE.

Question 10

How long does this last?

Accepted Answer

The program will run start in August 2025 and run through December 2025.

Check my eligibility