Octopus saving sessions

TheBanker

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

Pat38493

TheBanker said:

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

The test sessions are in my opinion flawed by poor communications approaches.  

In most of the sessions so far this year, I only found out about the session by chance on a forum like this or facebook, or because I happened to directly check the Octopus app or website that day.  The email and phone notification didn't happen for some time after - I suspect I will end up completely missing some of the sessions just because I simply don' find out about them, unless they improve the way notifications are done.

MultiFuelBurner

Pat38493 said:

TheBanker said:

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

The test sessions are in my opinion flawed by poor communications approaches.  

In most of the sessions so far this year, I only found out about the session by chance on a forum like this or facebook, or because I happened to directly check the Octopus app or website that day.  The email and phone notification didn't happen for some time after - I suspect I will end up completely missing some of the sessions just because I simply don' find out about them, unless they improve the way notifications are done.

That's the point of these late notice sessions being "TESTS"

So the National Grid ESO can determine how effective the uptake and reduction on demand is with this short notice and whether this works enough or they have to move to rolling blackouts in an emergency.

I have picked up every session early with notifications from X, on here and signing up to the DFS events mail.

TheBanker

Pat38493 said:

TheBanker said:

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

The test sessions are in my opinion flawed by poor communications approaches.  

In most of the sessions so far this year, I only found out about the session by chance on a forum like this or facebook, or because I happened to directly check the Octopus app or website that day.  The email and phone notification didn't happen for some time after - I suspect I will end up completely missing some of the sessions just because I simply don' find out about them, unless they improve the way notifications are done.

I agree - and hopefully they will conclude that the short-notice sessions didn't have the desired effect, and look again at how they notify people. I don't think the concept of short-notice sessions is flawed, but the issue seems to be how Octopus (in particular) communicate them. The purpose of test sessions is for National Grid and the suppliers to learn about what works, and what doesn't. Even if the short-notice tests led to an almost zero reduction in demand, they could be deemed sucessful tests in that they tell National Grid that short notice sessions can't be relied on. 

Pat38493

MultiFuelBurner said:

Pat38493 said:

TheBanker said:

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

The test sessions are in my opinion flawed by poor communications approaches.  

In most of the sessions so far this year, I only found out about the session by chance on a forum like this or facebook, or because I happened to directly check the Octopus app or website that day.  The email and phone notification didn't happen for some time after - I suspect I will end up completely missing some of the sessions just because I simply don' find out about them, unless they improve the way notifications are done.

That's the point of these late notice sessions being "TESTS"

So the National Grid ESO can determine how effective the uptake and reduction on demand is with this short notice and whether this works enough or they have to move to rolling blackouts in an emergency.

I have picked up every session early with notifications from X, on here and signing up to the DFS events mail.

Which email do you mean and how do I sign up?

mmmmikey

Pat38493 said:

TheBanker said:

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

The test sessions are in my opinion flawed by poor communications approaches.  

In most of the sessions so far this year, I only found out about the session by chance on a forum like this or facebook, or because I happened to directly check the Octopus app or website that day.  The email and phone notification didn't happen for some time after - I suspect I will end up completely missing some of the sessions just because I simply don' find out about them, unless they improve the way notifications are done.

For technical and/or cost reasons email and SMS are not good ways for a time sensitive mass notifications, which has been discussed before on this forum. That's just a limitation of the way that these communication methods work so I can't ever see them being a good solution. The WhatsApp notifications have proved reliable for me so far, and "word of mouth" communication (i.e. messages posted on forums etc. by other customers) have also worked well.

The thing that surprises me is the lack of notification through the Octopus app, although maybe they are just seeing if they can rely on WhatsApp. I would imagine that the number of customers without a WhatsApp account is quite small even if those customers don't use the account.

I suppose in a way the test sessions are for us too as they give us the opportunity to make sure we've got our own mobiles etc. set up and/or processrs in place to get the notifications. Although much better of course if the energy companies can make it reliable with minimal effort on their customers part.

Pat38493

mmmmikey said:

Pat38493 said:

TheBanker said:

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

The test sessions are in my opinion flawed by poor communications approaches.  

In most of the sessions so far this year, I only found out about the session by chance on a forum like this or facebook, or because I happened to directly check the Octopus app or website that day.  The email and phone notification didn't happen for some time after - I suspect I will end up completely missing some of the sessions just because I simply don' find out about them, unless they improve the way notifications are done.

For technical and/or cost reasons email and SMS are not good ways for a time sensitive mass notifications, which has been discussed before on this forum. That's just a limitation of the way that these communication methods work so I can't ever see them being a good solution. The WhatsApp notifications have proved reliable for me so far, and "word of mouth" communication (i.e. messages posted on forums etc. by other customers) have also worked well.

The thing that surprises me is the lack of notification through the Octopus app, although maybe they are just seeing if they can rely on WhatsApp. I would imagine that the number of customers without a WhatsApp account is quite small even if those customers don't use the account.

I suppose in a way the test sessions are for us too as they give us the opportunity to make sure we've got our own mobiles etc. set up and/or processrs in place to get the notifications. Although much better of course if the energy companies can make it reliable with minimal effort on their customers part.

You are right as I have Whatsapp but I am not a power use or heavy user of Whatsapp and I don't really rely on it for urgent communications - my habit is just to check it every so often sometimes not even daily.

I've just checked now and actually, I am already signed up to the Octopus Whatsapp channel, but it looked like the reason I am not getting push notifications is that the notification bell icon was muted on that channel - I am pretty sure I didn't do that so it may be the default.  I have switched it on now.

So yes you are right that's the point of a test, but some people won't even be clued up enough to realise that something is wrong, and that there was a sessions that they should have been notified about.

Example - the session on Tuesday this week I didn't even know about it at all and as far as I remember, Octopus didn't inform me.  Maybe it was on purpose to see  how many people were using the Whatsapp channel.

MultiFuelBurner

Pat38493 said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

Pat38493 said:

TheBanker said:

Andreg said:

Based on last year's pattern of Saving Sessions, I think yesterday's is quite likely the last one this year.  Last year there were three in November and three in December with the last one on 12 December.  This year we have had five sessions.  I'm guessing that industrial electricity use is lower over the Christmas period, and also the people who run the test sessions might have a Christmas break. 

There might be one or two more this year, but most likely the next session will be in January.

They said there would be at least six test sessions before the end of the year. So far there have been three tests and two live sessions. So we are due another three tests, or one if they reduce the total number of test sessions due to the live sessions.

It is clear to me that the last two tests have been testing how we respond to short-notice sessions. I suspect the next one, which may come next week, will be a morning or daytime session, again to test how we respond. We might also see a weekend session for the same reason. I don't think we'll see any more test sessions run during the 16:30 - 18:30 slot as they already have data from the five previous sessions to see how people respond.

It's important to remember that the test sessions are not really designed to reduce demand as such, they are designed to understand how people respond and how much demand can be reduced if there is a need to invoke the scheme for real.

If they are going to run a morning/daytime session, I'd expect it in the early part of next week, before people start breaking up from school and work for Christmas, otherwise they won't be testing with 'normal' consumption patterns. 

The test sessions are in my opinion flawed by poor communications approaches.  

In most of the sessions so far this year, I only found out about the session by chance on a forum like this or facebook, or because I happened to directly check the Octopus app or website that day.  The email and phone notification didn't happen for some time after - I suspect I will end up completely missing some of the sessions just because I simply don' find out about them, unless they improve the way notifications are done.

That's the point of these late notice sessions being "TESTS"

So the National Grid ESO can determine how effective the uptake and reduction on demand is with this short notice and whether this works enough or they have to move to rolling blackouts in an emergency.

I have picked up every session early with notifications from X, on here and signing up to the DFS events mail.

Which email do you mean and how do I sign up?

Register here for any changes on the National Grid ESO datasets and docs

https://www.nationalgrideso.com/data-portal/demand-flexibility-service

MultiFuelBurner

I got this alert notification by email this morning

MultiFuelBurner

So likely a test event today

This is what the emails look like once registered for updates