How is the Power Move flex base figure calculated?

I follow what you’re saying and it probably makes more sense.

Hey ​@Firedog   - just want to say thanks for ‘translating’ all the info and explain how PMF baseline is actually  calculated.  (I still have to read what you’ve put at least twice (lol) but then I do get it!)  Brilliantly explained and worked through - thank you for taking the time to do it. 

My understanding of Power Move Flex base usage is that it looks at your average usage for specific time periods during the last 10 weekdays for weekday events.  In last winter’s trial, the days when there had been a previous PMF event were ignored in calculating the base usage.

For the last ten weekdays, I have had 2 days when I had “free hours” events and the 8 other days had PMF events.  If the frequency of PMF events continues, does this mean that my base usage will carry on being determined by the same 2 weeks at the start of July - neither of which, due to holidays, visitors, weather, were very typical ?

Well l am not sure some of the events l won’t be able to do as from Sunday back to work. and they say l have free time to use my electric but won’t be here so how does that help they say l can use it on Sunday l am not going to be here.

Hey ​@DuncanL,

Power Up and Power Down Events
 

3.2 Power Up and Power Down events are decided by the ESO rather than by OVO. We’ll let you know by email up to 48 hours before an event is due to take place. As the events are controlled by ESO we’re unable to confirm the number of events or the reward value of these events in advance. Please note that you’re automatically entered into every event as deemed appropriate by OVO and ESO, but you have a choice to not take part in it.  

3.3 If you successfully move your electricity use above or below your normal usage, as measured by our baseline methodology [see 3.4], as part of a Power Up or Power Down event then you may be rewarded with credit to your bill. Please see Section 5 for more details.

3.4 For Power Down and Power Up events, we calculate your baseline using ESO’s methodology:

For working days (Mon - Fri excluding bank holidays) – your baseline is calculated using the half hourly electricity usage data taken from your smart meter over the last 10 working days before an event. You’ll need to have at least 5 working days worth of data for a target to be calculated.

For non-working days (Saturday, Sunday & bank holidays) – your baseline is calculated using the half hourly electricity usage data taken from your smart meter over the last 4 non-working days. You’ll need to have at least 4 non-working days worth of data for a target to be calculated.
 

Want to find out more? You can head to our website for more information on Power Move Flex.
 

Is your question not covered in the FAQs? Post it below and we’ll get you an answer. 

​@Emmanuelle_OVO 

That doesn’t really answer my query.  In calculating the baseline for weekdays, I understand that days with PMF events or Free Hours are ignored.  As I have had one or other of these events every day, does that mean that my baseline has not shifted, as it normally would, on a rolling basis but is stuck at the same 10 days before the commencement of the PMF trial ?

As an aside, should this topic perhaps have been merged to a thread on the PMF Summer Trial rather than to a 7 month old thread from last winter’s trial that no-one ever visits any more ? 

Good morning ​@DuncanL, I hope you had a good weekend.

I just want to pass on some information from our Power Move team on this subject:

We don’t ignore free electricity days.

 

Base calculation: The same as before and takes the last 10 working days without events into account when calculating the baseline for events within the week. It's the same baseline used in the Demand Flexibility Service (P376 for those interested).

It's definitely one for us to monitor to ensure we've got the right trade-off between sufficient events for statistical significance as part of the trial, and reliable baselining. 

We'd like to reassure customers that we're continually validating the accuracy of the baselining method against the control group, and may take corrective measures if any glaring issues are highlighted.

By testing this baselining method, and any potential issues that come with it, we are still directly informing the future of flexibility markets and both feedback and participation levels in events are key to helping shape the future of the energy grid.

On the subject of merging - everything’s been merged under this post as it is titled How is the Power Move flex base figure calculated?. This title encompasses the question in general, so can cover questions relating to summer as well.

I hope this helps!

Hi ​@Ben_OVO 

Thanks for reply.  
 

I am a bit puzzled by your statement that days with from the Free Hours offer are not ignored.  Since the summer trial has begun, I have never been given a PMF event on a day when I had been given a Free Hour but have had an event on every other day (bar Storm Floris).

It seems to be a bit odd to include Free Hours days in the baseline calculation as electricity use is bound to be distorted on such days.  (The free hours I am talking about are those in the Beyond Offer and not PMF rewards)

​@Emmanuelle_OVO 

i am not querying anything specific to my account.  I am simply wondering why days with OVO Beyond Free Hours are not ignored for the PMF baseline purposes as they can by no means be days of normal consumption. It is something that affects all customers who claim Free Hours.

I’ll ask the team & get back to you ​@DuncanL 🙂

The team got back to me ​@DuncanL:

It's useful feedback for the team to understand how all of these different propositions can work together and with it being a trial is part of the key learnings we're trying to get out of it, and that the baseline is something that needs to be reviewed industry wide so learnings like this help that.

As it’s a trial anything that impacts the customer either positive or negative is hugely important to us so that the future of energy, which this trial is geared around supporting, works for both energy suppliers and customers.

Hope this helps 😊