As a Flow Power customer on a wholesale-linked plan, this means your energy rate during this time may be higher than usual.
But with a few smart actions, you can reduce your consumption, minimise costs, and help support the energy grid during peak times.
By responding to high price notifications Flow Power customers who can reduce their energy consumption by around 75% can see a approx. 3 c/kWh rate reduction, or 20% off on their monthly bill.
First up: what’s happening?
Price spikes occur typically due to market events that limit supply (such as planned outages, black outs, etc.) or cause a substantial increase in demand (such as extreme weather events). When this happens, energy becomes more expensive to buy from the grid.
Flow Power customers receive Price Notifications via the app, email or SMS so you know when prices are expected to rise – and have time to act.
Using Price Notifications
If you receive a price notification from us, here’s what you can do to reduce your energy costs and help support a more stable grid during these peak times:
As a general rule of thumb, try to turn off all non-essential energy consuming devices. This is a general advice blog only, please consider your individual needs before switching any devices off.
Shift energy use outside the peak
- Hold off until later in the evening (approx 9pm) or earlier in the day (between 10am-3pm) to run the washing machine, dishwasher, or dryer.
- If it’s a particularly hot or cold day, warm/cool your space earlier in the day while prices are lower, then turn off your appliance or reduce the settings during the spike.
- If you have an electric oven or stove, try cooking before the event and reheat food later with lower-energy appliances like microwaves.
Reduce your current usage
- Turn off unused devices such as TVs, gaming consoles, chargers, lights in unused rooms – every bit helps!
- Adjust the thermostat by 1–2 degrees. Even small changes can reduce load significantly.
- Switch off computers, printers, and other standby equipment during the peak window.
Invest in a battery
- If you have or are looking at a battery, they are a great asset to take advantage of high price events:
- Avoid charging from the grid during the price spike.
- Self-consume your usage or export to the grid if your system is set up for it -this supports the energy system and can earn you a high feed-in tariff at peak times.
Flow Power customers who have a battery and act during a high price event can save up to $200 on their monthly bill and be paid upwards of 63 c/kWh for their export for the month.
Our tools are here to help you
- Check the app for live price info and usage tracking.
- Follow your Price Notification alerts to stay one step ahead of price spikes.
Why responding to price events matters
When many people reduce or shift their energy usage during high price events, it lowers demand on the grid, which helps bring prices down and reduces the need for fossil fuel generators to switch on.
It’s a small action that adds up to big impact, for your bill and the broader energy system.
