Chances are, you pay peak and off-peak prices for your power. You might even be adjusting how and when you use power to make the most of lower off-peak rates.
Traditionally, peak hours fall between 7 am and 10 pm on weekdays. This can vary from state to state but it’s usually within this range.
Nowadays, these peak and off-peak fixed rates don’t reflect the underlying wholesale energy market. Traditional peak times are often at odds with what’s happening in the wholesale market. Often, peak prices are charged when the wholesale market spot price is at the lowest (as can be seen on the graph below).
This is because the energy market has changed. We have record levels of new renewable generation entering the market, among other factors, that are changing how pricing is set.
The keep up with the changing market, we developed our Price Efficiency Adjustment (PEA).
Make the market work for you
To make the most of low off-peak rates, you don’t need to shift your business’s energy use to the graveyard shift. Your PEA measures how your business uses energy compared to the wholesale market.
It’s here to connect you to the actual peak and off-peak periods in the market and give you the opportunity to make the most of them.
You may also hear the PEA referred to as shape premium, or load shape factor.
How and when you use power sets your PEA, which will appear as a factor on your Power Active bill or help determine your ceiling price on Power Wholesale.
PEA in practice
Even though a business may have a high PEA, small changes to energy use can lower it significantly.
How does this look in practice?
One manufacturer, which used electric forklifts daily, would charge them as soon as its workers had clocked off between 4-7pm, when prices are highest. Our team analysed the manufacturer’s energy use and found that simply setting a timer on the chargers would help lower its PEA. Now, the forklifts are set to charge every night from 10pm, a shift that had no impact on its operations, just it’s energy price.
While it might seem like a big ask to make changes to how you use power, it’s much easier than you think and can immediately benefit your bottom line.
Any questions? We’re here to help.
If you’re interested in learning more about PEA’s, our friendly team are always available for a chat.
If you’re an existing Flow Power customer, please do not hesitate to reach out to your account manager.
If you’re not a Flow Power customer contact our friendly team today:
? 1300 08 06 08 (within business hours)
?️ Live chat message (within business hours via the chat button at the bottom of your screen)
Alternatively, you can submit your questions through our website contact form here.
