Load management for major connections

The load management dashboard as it applies to major connections:

What the 'load management dashboard' does

The load management dashboard:

  • provides an overview of our current load levels

  • shows the current "on" and "off" trigger points for control periods

  • provides the current status of the  control periods and generation period.

For pricing and charging purposes, you can also download a history of control periods or generation periods from the dashboard.

Control period triggers

Control periods are triggered when, in the absence of load management, loading levels would otherwise peak. To estimate network loading in the absence of load management, we calculate the loading that would have occurred in the absence of load control - we call this the "uncontrolled load".

The control period is then triggered on and off based on the level of uncontrolled load. We compare the current uncontrolled load with the "on" and "off" triggers to provide a real-time indication of when control periods are likely to start and finish. Note that our load management system applies dead-bands and delays to ensure that the system remains stable - it may take a few minutes for an "on" or "off" trigger to operate.

Control periods are restricted to only occur between 1 May and 31 August each year, and during this period we adjust the trigger points with the aim of accumulating a total of 80 to 100 hours of control period at times of highest loading.

To manage loading changes more effectively, we spread major customer connections across two groups - group 1 and group 2. To find out which group your connection belongs to, enter your ICP number here.

How we notify control periods

We use ripple signals to formally notify control periods with an "on" signal at the start of a control period and an off signal at the end.  The chargeable control period for our delivery charges is taken as average loading during the whole real-time half-hours that fall within the signalled control period.  We can also notify via email and cellular text messaging, but these notifications are not guaranteed. To request email and/or text message notifications, please email your contact details to us.

Control period current status

The current status of the control period is provided in the second table on the dashboard - it will either show as "off" or "on". As a minimum, each control period will run until it has covered a complete real-time half-hour (ensuring that a chargeable peak period occurs).

Control period history

We provide a history of all control periods in Excel format as part of the dashboard. You can download these spreadsheets which are updated regularly.

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