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