Gridwatch vs GridPulse

Get live energy demand metrics for the UK and from which sources the electricity is supplied to the grid. View current and historical consumption levels.

When you plug in an appliance, where is the electricity actually coming from? Most of us never think about it, but the UK electricity grid’s fuel mix changes constantly. One hour it could be 60% wind, and a few hours later it could be mostly gas. The carbon intensity of your electricity can vary drastically depending on exactly when you use it. Same socket, same appliance, very different impact. GridPulse is a simple, no-nonsense utility designed to tell you exactly when the grid is greenest, right down to your local postcode. Whether you are deciding when to put the washing on, run the dishwasher, or plug in the EV, GridPulse gives you the data you need to reduce your personal carbon footprint with just a glance at your phone or watch. Key Features: - Live Local Carbon Intensity: See the exact carbon impact of the grid right now, hyper-localized to your specific UK postcode. - Smart Forecasts: Don't just look at the present. View the daily forecast to see exactly what time the grid will be the greenest so you can plan your heavy appliance usage. - Real-Time Fuel Mix: See exactly what is powering the grid at any given moment—breaking down wind, solar, nuclear, gas, and international interconnectors. - Glanceable Widgets: Includes clean, native iOS Home Screen widgets and Apple Watch complications so you don't even need to open the app to know if it's a good time to use energy. A Few Honest Caveats: - This won't save you money: Unless you are on a highly specific dynamic tariff, your energy provider may charge you the same amount per kWh regardless of whether the grid is running on wind or gas. This app is purely designed to help you reduce your personal carbon footprint. - UK Only: This app uses the live NESO (National Energy System Operator) API, meaning it only provides data for Great Britain. GridPulse is a free, independent project built to solve a simple problem: making the actual cost of our energy usage more transparent.