Octopus Energy Saving Sessions

[Stranger Dings]

Does anyone know how the Octopus ”Power Hour” energy saving sessions are actually calculated?

I’ve taken part in all of them, but the results just seem totally random.

I’ve had sessions where we’ve switched off as much as we can and gone out, only to be told that we didn’t manage to save anything.

Some sessions, we’ve made very small savings, Including one where virtually everything was switched off and the whole family was in another country.

One session I forgot it was happening despite signing up, only to be told I’d managed to save 93% of my normal usage and be credited with over £16 off!

I’ll continue to sign up for them and don’t really do it expecting to save much as we are already quite energy efficient. It all just seems so random.

 

[Oxid8ter]

You were misinformed by that Octopus rep.

You can still exchange the points for credit in your energy account.

I'll give it a go at the next saving session in that case!

 

[yessuz]

Hang on, are you telling me that selling my power to Octopus would have been seen as me making a saving in a saving session? I was told by octopus "there is no easy way for solar/battery customers to earn reward from a saving session" - that said, now the reward is vouchers to buy merch that you could get for free before*, I'm not so fussed.

*I have a large Constantine plush that was sent to me FOC back along, and it priced at £16 (or however many octopoints that is)

yes, you can export during saving session.
For points you can buy merch or convert those into credits on your bill

 

[Epico]

yes, you can export during saving session.
For points you can buy merch or convert those into credits on your bill

I export during saving sessions as have most on here with that capability I would guess...I'm up £70 so far

 

[Pink Duck]

Always pleasing to align export with high rate Octopus Flux Export or Outgoing Fixed/Agile in addition to reducing net energy demand for DFS.

Just checked grid energy forecasts and seems likely that Wednesday 7th will be the next Saving Session - possibly a Live one!
(41.76/42.36 GW peak demand, −1.45 GW surplus, just 1.52 GW margin)

Plus Octopus Energy looking into the missing 200 OctoPoints bonus from 14th Dec event I’ve yet to receive.

 

[PITA]

I have the skills to automate mine actually but opted not to - to ensure sufficient manual control to handle atypical situations such as being delayed arriving home due to traffic and remote controlling afternoon export based on the in-day happenings with DFS and pricing announcements.

Essential to set phone event reminders to make critical changes to modes and pricing to get the desired behaviour.

Exactly what I was going to say...

...but then realised I have no clue what you just said.

So I'll go back to my biscuits and shut up.

 

[ACarneiro]

Always pleasing to align export with high rate Octopus Flux Export or Outgoing Fixed/Agile in addition to reducing net energy demand for DFS.

Just checked grid energy forecasts and seems likely that Wednesday 7th will be the next Saving Session - possibly a Live one!
(41.76/42.36 GW peak demand, −1.45 GW surplus, just 1.52 GW margin)

Plus Octopus Energy looking into the missing 200 OctoPoints bonus from 14th Dec event I’ve yet to receive.

That did not come to pass, it seems....
I'm surprised, it seems a bit tight today...

 

[Pink Duck]

Checked the forecasts again, what caught my attention and perhaps theirs was Wed 14th Feb, maximal demand, minimal margin/surplus.

Just two events to go.

 

[thewishy]

DFS Anticipatory for tonight. Looks like it'll be short notice - publishing at 12:00

 

[ACarneiro]

Well, there is an anticipatory notification for a test session today.
I give up trying to figure out what they're doing...

EDIT: @thewishy beat me to it

 

[Pink Duck]

I think the romance of a final Valentine’s day DFS event appealed (candle-lit dinner etc.) so they opted to place the penultimate one earlier.

17:00–18:00 from the forecast indicators seems probable. Wonder if they’ll go even lower with the offered bid. Will find out at 09:07 or 10:05.

 

[thewishy]

If you look at the system warnings for today, there was a margin warning out this morning, which might have been a reason for going with the the DFS Event today System Warnings | BMRS

Also note that the requirement might be published at noon, which is unusually late

 

[Pink Duck]

That warning was just for Dumfries and Galloway and only until 08:00.

 

[Oxid8ter]

DFS Anticipatory for tonight. Looks like it'll be short notice - publishing at 12:00

I'll keep my eyes out so I can try out this whole "export for profit" from my battery, which I was told wasn't a thing in Year 1 of Saving sessions...

 

[ACarneiro]

I'll keep my eyes out so I can try out this whole "export for profit" from my battery, which I was told wasn't a thing in Year 1 of Saving sessions...

I assure you it is

If it does happen today I'll try to remember to set my battery to actually export electricity this time...

 

[Oxid8ter]

I assure you it is

Yeah, I note the FAQs on the SS have been updated now. My prior belief was due to when I asked in late 2022 "how can I benefit from Saving Sessions" I was told there was no way for Solar customers to take part.

I guess in part it is my own fault for not periodically checking after that enquiry.

 

[PITA]

I assure you it is

If it does happen today I'll try to remember to set my battery to actually export electricity this time...

I forgot on one saving session this Winter, we were visiting a National Trust site and I completely forgot.

My Wife had to calm me down with Hot Chocolate

It's not about the money anymore, and I probably need counselling for Post Traumatic Session Discharge

 

[ACarneiro]

It's not about the money anymore,

Yes, I dare say all this malarkey with batteries and exports and whatnot can attract "a certain kind of person"....

 

[PITA]

Yes, I dare say all this malarkey with batteries and exports and whatnot can attract "a certain kind of person"....

Well I've been told I'm on the Kind Spectrum occasionally, so that must be me then

 

[Oxid8ter]

My Wife had to calm me down with Hot Chocolate

At least it wasnt made with your electric

 

[thewishy]

Requirement published. 18:00-19:00. Only 175mw and no minimum price. We should know around 1pm if Octopus are successful bidders, although it's hard to see how they could hit 175mw without octopus