Power Pause Update 4

 See here, here, here and here for previous instalments. Another couple of Power Pause opportunities presented themselves on February 29th and March 2nd 2024. Both were only for 30 minutes.

February 29th was not a cold day by February standards (mean daily temperature = 8 ℃) but March 2nd was noticeably colder (mean daily temperature = 3 (mean daily temperature = 8 ℃).

For the first date (February 29th), I forgot to turn down the ASHPs in preparation for the Power Pause. For the second date (March 2nd), I did remember. The ASHPs normally run at 18 ℃ and are turned down to 16 ℃ for the duration of the Power Pause.

As it turned out, the power saving and rebate were greater for the first date when the outside temperature was higher and the ASHPs didn't have to work as hard (and worked more efficiently) to maintain the set internal temperature. I have listed the power savings and rebates in Table 1, along with the same information from previous Power Pauses.

Table 1: Power Savings, Rebates and Rebate Rates for Good Energy Power Pauses

Date	Power Saving (kWh)	Rebate (£)	Rebate/kWh (£/kWh)
29/11/2023	0.407	1.63	4.00
1/12/23	0.000	0.00	-
5/12/23	0.000	0.00	-
12/12/23	1.374	3.67	2.67
14/12/23	1.687	4.50	2.67
19/12/23	0.266	0.71	2.67
17/01/24	1.846	4.92	2.67
02/02/24	1.340	2.98	2.22
29/02/24	0.530	0.54	1.02
02/03/24	0.310	0.27	0.87

Note 1: Power Pauses varied in length from 30 to 90 minutes

Note 2: Twelve Power Pauses were planned so there could be more before the end of March

Note 3: Rebate rates started high (£4/kWh) and have decreased during the trial

Note 4: According to MoneySavingExpert, Good Energy agreed to pay £2.55 per kWh saved. The average rebate rate in Table 1 is £2.48/kWh