SUSTAINABILITY

FEATURES
MOD saves with the new TRIAD system
The TRIAD charging system is one way that large industrial
users of electricity can reduce their energy charges by
reducing consumption over peak periods.
Broken down into its components,
an electricity bill is a combination
of all attributable costs relative to
consumption, not just units consumed,
but environmental initiatives, network
maintenance, and other such expenses
incurred through delivery.
During the winter months, November
to Februar y, electricity suppliers
operate a TRIAD system to calculate
the appropriate network maintenance
charges to be levied on large energy
consumers. TRIAD, or TRI-Annual
Demand, is a process of selecting the
three half-hours of peak electricit y
demand. These three snapshots
(which must be separated by at least
ten days) are then averaged, and
multiplied by a tariff charge ranging
between £15 to £40 (depending upon
location). The result of this equation is
the annual network charge.
Applying such a substantial tariff
grossly exaggerates the cost of
consumption during TRIAD, and even
boiling a 2kw kettle for two minutes
can add £4.68 to the overall charge.
These charges should not however
be seen as detrimental. Encouraging
a reduction in peak demand is the
environmentally-friendly alternative to
expanding the electricity infrastructure
to facilitate greater consumption.
The Energy, Utilities, and
Sustainability (EUS) team - par t of
Ser vice Deliver y within the Defence
Infrastruc ture Organisation (DIO),
used a TRIAD warning service
provided by EDF, to pilot the first
estate wide TRIAD campaign during
FY14/15. Alerts were issued across
the MOD estate whenever a TRIAD
period was anticipated. On average
15–20 TRIAD aler ts can be issued
per season – as it is not possible to
determine the three actual peak
periods until af ter the TRIAD season
has concluded.
Prior to the campaign, TRIAD focal
points across the MOD estate identified
appropriate actions to follow at their
sites once alerted - such as closing
off certain rooms, and switching to
standby generators. Advice was also
distributed from EUS, such as switching
off printers, unnecessary lighting, and
unused computers. Even equipment
left on standby can generate a notable
charge during TRIAD.
Promotional campaign material © Crown
Of all participating sites JFC Stirling
Lines in Hereford achieved the highest
percentage savings (53pc), and Air
Command site RAF Coningsby in
Lincolnshire achieved the highest
financial savings (£31k) for the three
TRIAD alerts. For their achievements
both sites have been rewarded
financially to reinvest in development
at their discretion.
On average the MOD pays
£4,000,0 0 0 in annual TRIAD charges,
and the campaign which ran from
November 2014 to Februar y 2015,
resulted in savings of £16 4,0 0 0.
We cannot remove TRIAD charges
completely, but we can do more
to reduce them. This was the first
estate wide at tempt to reduce TRIAD
charges, and nex t year with lessons
learned, collaboratively we aim to
achieve more.
For more information on TRIAD,
including a full league table of results
and energy reduction initiatives, please
email: DIOSDEUS-PMO@mod.uk
Aaron Brown
Energy Utilities and Sustainability Team
Defence Infrastructure Organisation
A guide to raise awareness of TRIAD charges © Crown
Sanctuary 44 • 2015
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