The Mathematics of Power Move (and how to achieve the targets)

Yes. it’s the much too similar naming of the two different schemes that has given rise to a lot of the confusion.

And as noted the 2 do interact, meaning that those on Power Move (and particularly those meeting the targets) already are unlikely to meet Power move Plus targets.

If the DFS events happen again after this current round then we are told that Power Move Plus is likely to be given a different name next time.
(I think that “Demand Move” would describe it better and avoid confusion).

I like @MGSteve ‘s reference to the profile. A graph always helps to explain the data so could be useful if it was relaunched under a new name, though OVO has already used about a million fancy names for all its various initiatives.

You did ask!

We’ve been power-moving for several months now, many of us since last summer. That has probably taught us a lot about how and when we use electricity and how to behave in order to maximize the benefit, both financially for us and ecologically for the planet. 

We’ve already seen some moral questions raised: is it defensible deliberately to use more electricity in the morning or to do the hoovering on Friday evening instead of Saturday morning solely in order to bring the target period percentage down below the threshold?

Here’s another moral dilemma, then, just to address your point here. We’ve seen consumers bragging about low percentages (<5). That’s really good from a CO₂ emissions viewpoint, but 5% won’t earn you any more than 10% would. To maximize the PM+ reward, then, it would make financial sense to increase the target period consumption to an average just below the PM threshold. Doing this consistently will make sure that the target for a PM+ event during the peak period stays at an achievable and profitable level, while still earning the PM reward. 

For example, a customer regularly achieving 5% for the PM challenge could double the target period consumption and thus the future PM+ target and reward while still earning the PM reward. 

I think 😉

    Interesting: I agree there are 2 distinct incentives for us to reduce electricity use: 1) Reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and 2) Reducing  the cost.  A Martian would expect that these would be directly related!!!   But, due to the National Grid pricing model, and the OVO schemes they are not!!!  And, because of the increased cost of energy, we are having to concentrate much more on the cost.

   OVO have made it quite complicated with these 2 schemes that (slightly) conflict, and  I hope my initial contribution to this conversation helps people understand them. 

   Personally, I can get my consumption down to about 5% of normal, but only for an hour or so, so I am concentrating on PM+.   Especially, with other people in the house, I don’t think I could consistently reach the PM targets, and any attempt to do so will then actually make my PM+ payments less!!!   Nevertheless, I believe my actions are generating less carbon dioxide, in total, aren’t too onerous for me, and are also helping the National Grid deal with its peak periods (and saving me a bit of money!!!).  I could actually make my PM+ payments greater by doing my dish and clothes washing during the peak period on none PM+ days, but I would consider that a bit immoral!!

  It would be so much better if the cost of electricity was more linked to the amount  of carbon dioxide produced, e.g. more like the Octopus charging algorithm, then we wouldn’t have these strange schemes, and all these extended conversations; people would just be directly incentivised to reduce carbon dioxide.   Also, the moral dilemmas about manipulating ones pattern of usage for financial advantage would disappear. 

   Rgds,

          Steve

I've been thinking about the £15 reward for meeting the Power Move percentage target.

Of course the most obvious, and most stated, is that it will cover the electricity standing charge.
Well the SC has now gone up, but £15 will still cover most of it.

But there is another way of looking at it, particularly in these cold winter months.

Instead of thinking Standing Charge you could regard it as “Free” electricity.

For example:
On Standard Variable Contract electricity with OVO is currently 28.43p per kWh. (That may be different where you live).
Which means that for your £15 reward you could run a 1kW fan heater for 52-3/4 hours.
Giving yourself an hours extra concentrated heating boost each morning or evening, both on some days.
Oh, and because you're using it outside of peak hours it counts as off-peak usage towards Power Move on weekdays.

That is extra use so probably not very green, but it will help keep your fingers and toes warm.

What an interesting discussion! 🙂

Very insightful, certainly not the first time I’ve heard the issue of the name similarity being raised. It’s caused some confusion, i’ll definitely put forward this feedback internally.