Load management for general connections

The load management dashboard as it applies to retailers and general connections:

What the 'load management dashboard' does

The load management dashboard:

• overviews our current load levels
• shows our dynamic control of hot water
• shows the current status of the peak period.

For pricing and charging purposes you can also download a peak period history from the dashboard.

Peak period triggers

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

The peak period is 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 peak periods are likely to start and finish. 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.

We adjust the trigger points to ensure that peak periods only occur when load (and load shedding) is at its highest. We expect to accumulate 100 to 200 hours of peak period each season.

How we notify peak periods

Peak periods are formally notified via a ripple signal. The chargeable peak period for our delivery charges is taken as the whole real-time half-hours that fall within the signalled peak period. Optionally, 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.

Peak period current status

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

Peak period history

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

View more information on:

Load management

• why we manage load and how we manage load

Load management for major connections

• for major connections - how we manage load, the load management dashboard, what triggers control periods, how we notify control periods, control period current status, control period history

Load management dashboard

• current loading status for, daily load management summary, total system load, residential water-heating service performance, pricing periods history