Pricing
03 Apr 2023
Wendel Hortop

Triads 2022/2023: everything you need to know

National Grid ESO published the final Triad dates for winter 2022/23 on 3rd April 2023. This article provides all you need to know about this year's Triads.

Keep your eyes open for more Triad analysis next week, including our 2022/2023 winter leaderboard.

Wait a minute... what are Triads?

  • Triads are the name of the methodology through which annual Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges are allocated.
  • Triads are defined as the three half-hour settlement periods with the highest demand on the transmission system, between November and February (inclusive), which are at least 10 days apart from each other.
  • Grid users are charged on their average consumption across the three Triad periods based on a rate set out in advance.
  • This year is the final year before the Targeted Charging Review reforms kick in which will see Triad rates for demand reduce significantly. Users will see an increase in fixed transmission charges to compensate.

To learn more about Triads, check out our Energy Academy video here!

The final Triad dates

The confirmed final Triad dates and demands for 2022/23 are:

  • Friday 2nd December 2022, 17:30 - 39,573 MW
  • Thursday 15th December 2022, 17:00 - 44,560 MW
  • Tuesday 17th January 2023, 17:00 - 42,022 MW
Figure 1 - Peak daily demand for winter 2022/2023 (1st November 2022 - 28 February 2023), with Triad days highlighted. Source: National Grid ESO

These Triad demand numbers are very low!

2022/23 saw the two lowest Triad Demands ever recorded, including the first under 40 GW

Figure 2 - Historical Triad demand between 1990 and 2023. Source: National Grid ESO

Winter demand continued to fall and we saw a big spread in Triad demand

Figure 3: Triad demands between 2018/19 and 2022/23. Source: National Grid ESO

Some more Triad trivia for you...

  • As well as having the lowest Triad demand ever, 2nd December 2022 was also the first to land on a Friday since 2013.
  • All three Triads fell between 5 and 5.30 pm, and in December and January, by far the most common periods for Triads to occur.
  • Two of the three Triads changed from National Grid ESO’s indicative dates. 1st December moved to the 2nd December while 23rd January shifted to 17th January.
  • Only 70 MW prevented Monday 16th January from being a Triad instead of Tuesday 17th January.
  • Five of the highest six demands of winter fell during the week of 12th December, when a severe cold snap hit the UK.

Check out battery energy storage's role on these Triad days when we publish our 2022/2023 winter leaderboard next week!

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