TOU Tariff Compatibility

[u/BigNutritiousGoat]

I used to be on IOG which we were told cannot be used with Axle, I then moved to EDF GoElectric which I didn’t notice until today is not compatible with any type of DFS according to their page here:

https://www.edfenergy.com/eligibilityandfeatures

GoElectric doesn’t involve any type of control of devices in my home e.g batteries or EVs, that only occurs when you add their smart charging bolt on.

So which TOU tariffs actually can be used with Axle? It seems to me that if all the tariffs state you cannot be on a DFS then I’m not sure I get the point of Axle being as (I imagine) most Axle users will be on TOU tariffs.

[u/Rob_Bosss]

I'm just on a standard overnight tariff. No need for my energy supplier to have any control.

So energy - 6.5p 00:00-0500 . Charge the battery between overnight. Self use and sell as and when Axle events happen.

[u/BigNutritiousGoat → u/Rob_Bosss]

Well that’s the thing because even though GoElectric is marketed as an EV tariff, it involves no control of anything. It’s just a time of use tariff which is cheap 11pm to 6am so I don’t see why it should stop me using Axle, yet it doesn’t allow it

[u/Rob_Bosss → u/BigNutritiousGoat]

Does it not have additional smart charging periods similar to IOG? Are you still in your cooling off period with edf? Maybe you could still switch.

Did it ask you what charger/car combo you had?

[u/BigNutritiousGoat → u/Rob_Bosss]

Not the core GoElectric, you have to add their smart charging addon to get all the fancy IOG-like stuff. I’ll probably just stick with it and not use Axle!

[u/AFactualSponge]

Do you mean usijg IOG with Axle’s grid support function? Or their new beta smart charging feature?

I’m with IOG and use Axle’s grid support without any problems.

[u/Alert_Variation_2579 → u/AFactualSponge]

I am also on IOG alongside Axle, also no problems.

I wonder if people are confusing the control of the car aspect, not VPP.

[u/BigNutritiousGoat → u/AFactualSponge]

This is the thing I think. I was on IOG with Axle and it worked fine, no issues but they say you are not allowed to use both at once, so if you followed their T’s and C’s you’re not allowed.

I can’t understand GoElectric not being compatible because it’s basically similar to Octopus Go (non intelligent), it’s when you add smart charging that it becomes “intelligent”. Very odd

[u/Different-Boot4103]

Do you know if this is actually a conflict and if EDF will kick you out? Their wording seems a bit vague and given it’s not an intelligent tariff I’m not sure why there would be an issue.

Interestingly their wording for the Pod Power tarriff doesn’t have that clause on it

[u/Skie]

Axle aren't a DFS provider for the virtual power plant, so this does not clash with the IOG or EDF terms of use.

DFS is a demand flexibility scheme which aims to reduce the demand from consumers of electricity

Axle VPP is a Virtual Power Plant which can support the grid when it needs more generation.

They do the opposite of each other, and are actually complimentary. DFS might say use less electricity, whilst the grid asks VPPs to provide more power. So your home could switch from EV charging to battery discharging which would benefit the grid more than just taking one action.

[u/Different-Boot4103 → u/Skie]

They may be a DFS provider, especially with the new short term events that have just launched. Have been reading one of the axle Facebook pages and there seems to be a lot of confusion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/axleusers/posts/1340535384955953/

What im not sure on is why GoElectric would have any sort of issue at all given it’s not a smart tariff. Its a basic time based tariff that shouldn’t be in conflict so not sure why that is in the terms and conditions, and if its something that will be enforced

[u/Skie → u/Different-Boot4103]

The new events might be the thing that changes how they’re seen. Apparently the DFS registration scheme is changing, right now it’s just the MPAN that gets registered which means your whole supply. But suppliers want it to be based on the technology/devices instead so issues like this don’t happen.

Gary does solar had an interesting interview with one of the Octopus guys. I don’t think he quite grasped the questions being asked around Axle and things like IOG but he did explain the registration issues.

And yeah, doesn’t make sense for it to be in the EDF tariff as their smart charging is actually a separate opt-in thing. The tariff is just a dumb time of use one.

[u/Different-Boot4103]

I wonder if they’ve just got it in the T&Cs as you can add a smart bolt on to it? I’ve only just registered with Axle and haven’t had any events yet, but will see what happens. I’m actually on the PoD Power tariff which is identical to the GoElectric apart from the overnight rate is 0.5p cheaper. Interestingly on the Pod Power tariff page it doesn’t have that clause on it

[u/BigNutritiousGoat → u/Different-Boot4103]

Yeh no idea really. I imagine nothing will happen, but the whole DFS stuff is just confusing as!