Maximizing Intelligent Octopus Go plus 15p export

Hi guys.
I'm struggling to set the most optimum settings here so hoping you can help.

I have a GIV-HY5.0 inverter plus 9.5kwh battery plus solar on the roof.
Current behavior is to charge battery to 100% between 1:30 and 5:30 (at 7.5p/unit) which means I can export as much solar generation as possible at 15p during the day.

The issue: I would additionally like to export any remaining battery charge from 23:30 to 1:30 (2.6kw * 2 hours * 15p = 78p max per day).

This combination doesn't seem to be possible from the GivEnergy GUI as setting either of the "Timed Export" or "Timed Discharge" windows seems to turn eco mode off (meaning the battery is no longer used during the day when solar isn't generating.).

I tried to use the octopus R&D scheduler but the tool is very restrictive e.g. can't have events running over midnight or events starting/stopping at the same time (plus only at 30 minute intervals...)

Does anyone have experience of a similar setup and can help? (Ideally within GivEnergy GUI but if not possible with another tool?)

Thanks!

Have a look at WonderWatt.

You want to sell power to octopus for 15p during the hours they sell to you at 7.5p, then immediately buy it back at 7.5p.
That kind of abuse of the system will likely wreck OIG for everyone.

Try exporting the excess during the 16:00-19:00 period when they need it most.

InternetKing setting either of the "Timed Export" or "Timed Discharge" windows seems to turn eco mode off (meaning the battery is no longer used during the day when solar isn't generating.).

For me, timed export does turn off eco flag, but timed discharge does not. (That's the only difference that I can perceive.) That's on 3rd-gen Hybrid inverter.

I too am of the opinion that exporting for 15p when Octopus are selling for 7.5p is a pretty hostile sort of move. it's just a pity that, until now, exporting 4pm to 7pm impacts returns from savings sessions. But those might be finished now ? I currently export 2000 to 2230.

Couldn't any export from 2330 to 0130 end up going into the car, if it's charging then ?

Going back to the original question, you might want to try looking into Home Assistant and its PredBat appdaemon add-on. Its working well for me at the moment.

spe

yeah though if you want to avoid the "buy at 7.5p and sell at 15p" during the off peak window, you'll need to do some configuring as OOTB predbat will maximise revenue ...

Also, it seems there may be some benefit in allowing the battery to idle at a low state of charge, to allow it to balance. I'm currently experimenting with exporting 2000 to 2230, then it tends to be pretty quite until 2330, and then I fully pause it until 0030 before charging begins. (Perhaps I'll even delay charging further until 0130 - 4 hours is still enough time to charge, though slower charging may also have different benefits.)

Doesn't predbat do this sometimes?

I notice mine will randomly discharge during the 11.30-05.30 period.

Sometimes I wake up with 1.5kwh exported.

woofy

I have no real problem with the principle of this (I don't care WHEN the power gets exported).

However, if there is a chance that the battery is empty after export and I end up importing before 23:30 (31p) then any gain is lost. Some kind of algorithm that starts export earlier in the day when battery SoC is high would be fine.

Currently exporting from 23:30 to 1:30 is the only way to be certain I won't end up importing at peak rates.

Watcher

Thanks will look into this

DD

Car charging mostly happens from 1:30 to 5:30 with the settings I use in Octopus app (though you're right with the flexible nature of IOG this is entirely possible)

Hook yes it does - hence me saying above you need to configure it to not do that if you aren't a fan of buying low selling high

pacemaker No objection to buying low and selling high. Just seems a bit mean to force Octopus to buy while they're selling low.

woofy That kind of abuse of the system will likely wreck OIG for everyone.

Where have you seen anything to suggest that?

DD Just seems a bit mean to force Octopus to buy while they're selling low.

Not too sure how you can be "mean" to a business...this isn't a schoolyard. Octopus make money on both sides of the transaction. If they wanted to they could limit the £0.15 rates to outside the cheap period. They haven't, and there will be a reason why they haven't.

Is there anything in the terms and conditions about this?

Hook
Not that I am aware of. I expressly asked Octopus about this when they first announced the 15p export. Their response was "we hope you enjoy your new pricing".

The only T&C about usage is fair use of the cheap 7.5 extra slots. Which they reserve the right to charge you full price for if they deem you unfairly using them.

I tend to agree that if they didn’t want the export coming back at them during the off peak, they would itemise that in the T&C, they aren’t stupid. As they haven’t then it’s fair game IMO. That said, depending on how much you use “extra” slots AND export in cheap period could put you at risk of the “fair use” policy.

I could just be exporting my stored free solar from earlier that day during off peak, and replenishing that elec with 7.5p import. One way to spin it 🤣