Carefully targeted generation and demand reduction periods to optimise revenues

Triads are a method whereby the Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges are distributed between electricity suppliers, who recover them from electricity customers. These charges are known as ‘triad charges’, and should be shown explicitly on electricity bills.

Triad charges are proportional to the client’s electricity demand at the three highest national system peaks in any winter (November to February). These peak half-hour periods are known as ‘triad periods’. If clients reduce demand during these peaks, they will reduce their triad charges proportionally.  Triad periods are not known in advance, but can be forecast, as they typically occur between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on weekdays during cold weather.

STOR and triad management may be operated together within certain constraints. Flexitricity's triad management strategy involves careful targeting of generation and demand reduction to the periods which have a high likelihood of being declared the triad periods for that year.  When a triad is considered likely, consumption is reduced for up to two hours. This generally occurs on 15–25 occasions per year.  It is necessary to opt out of STOR for selected winter weekday evenings when triad management is conducted. In most locations, the benefits for operating triad management outweigh the reduction in STOR availability payments. Flexitricity manages this crucial interaction in order to maintain quality of service and maximise revenue.