United Utilities helped National Grid to cope with a huge spike in electricity demand in the North West this weekend for the Rugby World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia.

Smart boxes installed at the water company’s treatment plants and pumping stations allow equipment to “talk” to the grid. Motors and pumps can then be turned on and off in seconds in response to variations in power frequency.

Ahead of the game, National Grid was anticipating a demand for a 650 MW spike as a result of the “TV pick-up”. The big increase was expected at half time, with the demand at full-time predicted to be lower at just 400MW.

Last year United Utilities signed up to ‘Dynamic Demand’ - an innovative quick-fire way of switching energy-intensive equipment off and on in response to changes in electricity supply and demand nationwide.

The system acts like a “virtual power station”, allowing National Grid to even out temporary peaks and troughs in demand instead of turning power stations up and down. The more companies involved the bigger the potential for benefits.

The energy firm, which is responsible for transporting electricity minute-by-minute to millions of people across England and Wales calculated the total TV pick-up throughout the tournament  prior to the final was sitting at 12,522MW.