Time to give electricity the flick?

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#1626379 9-Sep-2016 10:20

michaelmurfy:

Initially when major spikes happen it is normally noticed NZ wide so just for simplicity sake an average will be worked out - depending on the API and how we can integrate it (it is our first time dealing with Pushbullet + IFTTT) we'll look at doing localised notifications. Might at the start look at doing a NI and SI average with the Pushbullet notification linking to the site for further information (will be mobile and data friendly).

NI and SI can sometimes be significantly different, especially if there are problems with the NI/SI cable, but that's not always the cause. Maybe a few times a year.

mentalinc:

How many of you are actually on the split peak / off peak rates Flick offer?

By default you're not put on this tariff type, you maybe going through a lot of pain changing your lifestyle but not actually on the plan that rewards it.

They do not clearly list anywhere on their website or your bill the tarriff type you need to work it out form what is being charged....

In Wellington at least you don't get a choice, AFAIK. You pay market rates for power and the line charge is lower off peak. You can go to a low user plan that has lower daily fees.

Jeeves

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#1626380 9-Sep-2016 10:24

I have a random question. Do retailers typically set their prices based upon the GXP only? As in, If I moved houses within the same GXP and everything else was the same (meter, usage etc...) - it would be typically the same rate? Or do they factor in some intra-GXP price differences as well?

timmmay

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#1626411 9-Sep-2016 10:43

Jeeves:

I have a random question. Do retailers typically set their prices based upon the GXP only? As in, If I moved houses within the same GXP and everything else was the same (meter, usage etc...) - it would be typically the same rate? Or do they factor in some intra-GXP price differences as well?

The really depends what a GXP is. Prices are regional so I assume retailers take into account all costs at a regional level.

nickb800

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#1626417 9-Sep-2016 10:49

mentalinc:

Kraven:

mentalinc:

By default you're not put on this tariff type, you maybe going through a lot of pain changing your lifestyle but not actually on the plan that rewards it.

Are you sure? I always thought this was how Flick worked and I was switched automatically from Controlled/Uncontrolled with Powershop to Day/Night with Flick when I changed over.

100% sure.

I checked my first bill couldn't see it clearly laid out so emailed the very helpful folk their response below. Id suggest you run your life in the peak off peak mode for bit (few weeks or month) then request the data set to see how well it rewards you.

"We can switch you to the smart plan, but we don’t normally recommend it unless you have very specific usage patterns, as the peak rate is significantly higher. You might want to have a look at your usage graphs (in the Analyse section of your online account) to see when you’ve been using power, and see how much is being used in the off peak times to find out if it’s worth switching. I can also send you a full history of your meter readings in a spreadsheet format if you’re interested in that."

It also comes back to what pricing plans are offered by your lines company - some have the option of a normal or smart plan (e.g. Wellington), others (e.g. Christchurch) only have a smart plan (with different rates for low/high users)

miked

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#1626420 9-Sep-2016 10:52

michaelmurfy:

So myself and @asmallchild will look at doing something for those on Spot power pricing since there is a current gap.

- Notification based events (via Pushbullet, email (maybe) and a Geekzone notification) and integration with IFTTT - Initially this may only be a threshold price we decide on to make it easy for a start.
- Programmed in Node + PHP (for the web frontend).
- Designed to be simple for the end user to more give them a reliable notification of when power pricing is abnormal.

How we'll look at doing this:

1) Query the API every 5min - if the power is spiking over lets say 15-20c/kW to send a notification.
2) Whilst it is spiking don't spam notifications - instead, only notify if it gets far worse (30c+/kW).
3) Provide a quick and easy to read web frontend to current spot power pricing (likely in Bootstrap so it is light).
4) Post in a Geekzone thread if power pricing is looking bad. I need to check with this.
5) Can potentially sort by region or work out the average price NZ wide (to make it easy). Basically want a solution you can use to get a better notification than anything else provides right now.

Hopefully by doing this we can automate things in the home much easier (with IFTTT) and lower the price of peoples power bills by providing reliable notifications using a real push mechanism.

Sounds excellent.

Are you talking about using the emi api? I've found it is often lagging behind in the answers it gives but they claim this delay is upstream (from the system operator) and there is not much anyone can do about this (their internal delays being a matter of seconds normally - except overnight when their backup runs, but they said to assume this would be sorted soon!!!). They are keen for the service to be used though, and if timeliness is the problem, the more of us who give them feedback on that, the better it could become. I found them to be responsive to the emails I sent through the site though and in fact they were keen for more emails to prove there was support for the service to be made better!

If you are interested I'll PM you the email discussion I had with them.

k14

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#1626484 9-Sep-2016 12:25

Jeeves:

I have a random question. Do retailers typically set their prices based upon the GXP only? As in, If I moved houses within the same GXP and everything else was the same (meter, usage etc...) - it would be typically the same rate? Or do they factor in some intra-GXP price differences as well?

I believe it is more related to which lines company region you are in. Almost 100% sure if you stay with the same company at the same GXP the prices will be the same. If you move within the same network but to a different GXP then prices may change (but the difference between GXP's that are close geographically are usually very little) but not by much. Although the only way to know for sure is to ring up. The pricing structures are so complex there is no way to know for sure.

mentalinc

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#1626517 9-Sep-2016 12:54

timmmay:

Jeeves:

I have a random question. Do retailers typically set their prices based upon the GXP only? As in, If I moved houses within the same GXP and everything else was the same (meter, usage etc...) - it would be typically the same rate? Or do they factor in some intra-GXP price differences as well?

The really depends what a GXP is. Prices are regional so I assume retailers take into account all costs at a regional level.

Wellington Pricing from Flicks website

https://www.flickelectric.co.nz/downloads/price_schedules_Apr2016/Wellington-Price-Schedule-2016-04-01-v2.pdf

The above pricing shows they have a total of 6 pricing models. Each of which can be split further into Standard and low use. So a total of 12 combinations to select from...

By default you're put on the options in the left column. The "Smart Plan" are the only ones that have a peak and non peak split. and you need to specifically decide they are right for you and request Flick put you on this plan.

Strongly suggest you check your bill @Timmmay sounds like you've made your life very difficult shifting load and still paying the same variable rate plus the market rate (so some benefit but not full benefit)...

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timmmay

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#1626524 9-Sep-2016 13:01

I'm on smart plan inclusive, which I selected. On this plan the power price varies based on the market price, and the line price has peak and off peak. This is shown on my Flick dashboard.

Regardless of your plan you still pay market price for power. It appears that the main difference is whether you get a discount for letting them control your hot water and whether you get cheaper line rental off peak.

I'm not sure if you do the non-smart plans, they're probably for people without smart meters, and Flick doesn't accept people who don't have smart meters. It could be a "just in case" for customers who are transitioning or something. Your only choice might be to let them control or not let them control your hot water.

It's no hassle to be with flick, or at worst no more hassle than you let it be.

jonathan18

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#1626529 9-Sep-2016 13:07

In what can only be described as a minor miracle (given how long they usually take to respond!), I got a response from Flick to a question on the nature of peak/off peak rates:

The day and night rates and how customers are charged depends on their area and meter set up. Some areas of the country will need to request to go on to a ‘smart plan’ for day and night rates whereas others will receive these automatically.

You already receive day and night rates. I have attached your most recent bill for you where you will see on the second page the breakdown of costs and price you were charged per unit for each the night rate and day rate.

I have also provided below our price schedule from our website which is relevant to your area and meter set up. This shows what each cost is made up of. Variable Day Charges are made up of your network c/kWh, EA Levy, your Flick charges you then add you ‘spot’ price. Fixed Daily Charges are made up of your network and metering daily rate (and for standard users the flick daily rate)

voy1d

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#1626539 9-Sep-2016 13:22

k14:

Not sure if I am supposed to share this but there is a new webpage from electricity wits being tested currently, you can view it here uat.electricityinfo.co.nz and see what it looks like. Note that the info displayed is 5 mins delayed to the current site. I thought it looks pretty good, big improvement on the current site! You can provide feedback via this email address uat.wits@nzx.com

Good lord that is a horrible design, I don't look forward to using it...

With regards to notifications of high prices (real time / 5 minute only) there is already a website run my Mr Leyland called Node Watch that does email notifications.

5 minute prices are also delayed 5 minutes, so the period ending at 1325 is not generally published for another 5 minutes anyway (which happens in WITS prod)

miked

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#1626563 9-Sep-2016 13:47

Yeah. If you look at the Wellington Pricing, there would be no point not being on the Smart Plan version of any plan, as the day pricing is the same on both versions of the plans, just you get a cheaper overnight price as an added perk!

(I know with some suppliers you have to pay a higher day-time per unit rate to access the cheaper night-time per unit rate, so with some suppliers you would need to calculate whether it was worthwhile based on usage... but this is not the case with Flick!)

As a result, I'm pretty sure they put everyone onto the Smart Plan version of the plan you choose, but I might be wrong. When I signed up, I asked what I needed to do to get the Smart Plan rates for overnight and I was told that was the plan I would be put on.

In my experience, the access to overnight pricing is what actually makes the most difference to the final price we pay. I am able to shift dishwasher into the night and it becomes half-price compared to daytime (we are on the low-user tariff). Hoping to shift more in due course (hot water & washing machine are my next targets).

We have saved 19% since flicking to Flick.

jonathan18

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#1626565 9-Sep-2016 13:49

miked:

As a result, I'm pretty sure they put everyone onto the Smart Plan version of the plan you choose, but I might be wrong. When I signed up, I asked what I needed to do to get the Smart Plan rates for overnight and I was told that was the plan I would be put on.

Umm, not sure if you read the quote from Flick's emailed response?!

mentalinc

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#1626838 10-Sep-2016 07:33

voy1d:

With regards to notifications of high prices (real time / 5 minute only) there is already a website run my Mr Leyland called Node Watch that does email notifications.

5 minute prices are also delayed 5 minutes, so the period ending at 1325 is not generally published for another 5 minutes anyway (which happens in WITS prod)

How do you find out which node you're connected to?

Is there a map or similar?

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voy1d

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#1626839 10-Sep-2016 07:42

To find your GXP then go to here and enter either your ICP or address.

Under the results scroll down till you find "Network" and the value next to "POC" is your GXP / Node.

The data in that screen is essentially what is held in the registry about your property.

mentalinc

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#1626857 10-Sep-2016 08:56

Awesome, worked like a dream

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Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

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