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But retail prices of carrots don’t increase dramatically from 4-9pm.

UIUC_06 4y ago
... and that's relevant how? I suppose you hope it's relevant because, "the solar power comes just when they need it the most" ? They don't seem to do the math quite so happily, though. Maybe it's #1 and #2: First, Safeway buys in very large lots from certified suppliers, who can commit to (almost) always having carrots. Second, those suppliers have to deliver at a loading dock, and maybe at a central location, too.
- mrexroad 4y ago
  I don’t think that was my hope. My comment, if anything, is that the dynamics of pg&e’s retail pricing make the comparison a bit of (pardon the pun) apples to carrots. Plus, there’s no analogy for energy, at scale, to refrigerated supply chains; hence need for TOU pricing to shape demand.
awb 4y ago
Most produce is seasonal. So your prices go up during the off season, and/or quality declines as they’re imported from farther away or picked before ripe.
- mrexroad 4y ago
  Electric rates change seasonally as well, that part of the analogy holds. However time-of-use pricing is different.
  - awb 4y ago
    Do the rates change? I thought it was usage that changed seasonally.
    - mrexroad 4y ago
      Yep, but it depends on what’s rate plan you select. > SEASONAL PRICING The cost of electricity on your rate plan is lower during the cooler months from October to May, and is higher during the warmer months from June to September. For full seasonal pricing details, visit pge.com/tariffs. [0] And here’s a an infographic [1] showing the differences between two plans for season, time of day, and baseline allowance (tiered usage). [0] https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/rate-plans/time-of-use/ETOUA.pdf https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/rate-p... [1] https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/how-rates-work/Residential-Rates-Plan-Pricing.pdf https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/how-ra...
a9h74j 4y ago
The next SBF will master the carrot arbitrage.

... and that's relevant how? I suppose you hope it's relevant because, "the solar power comes just when they need it the most" ? They don't seem to do the math quite so happily, though. Maybe it's #1 and #2: First, Safeway buys in very large lots from certified suppliers, who can commit to (almost) always having carrots. Second, those suppliers have to deliver at a loading dock, and maybe at a central location, too.

mrexroad 4y ago
I don’t think that was my hope. My comment, if anything, is that the dynamics of pg&e’s retail pricing make the comparison a bit of (pardon the pun) apples to carrots. Plus, there’s no analogy for energy, at scale, to refrigerated supply chains; hence need for TOU pricing to shape demand.

awb 4y ago

Most produce is seasonal. So your prices go up during the off season, and/or quality declines as they’re imported from farther away or picked before ripe.

mrexroad 4y ago
Electric rates change seasonally as well, that part of the analogy holds. However time-of-use pricing is different.
- awb 4y ago
  Do the rates change? I thought it was usage that changed seasonally.
  - mrexroad 4y ago
    Yep, but it depends on what’s rate plan you select. > SEASONAL PRICING The cost of electricity on your rate plan is lower during the cooler months from October to May, and is higher during the warmer months from June to September. For full seasonal pricing details, visit pge.com/tariffs. [0] And here’s a an infographic [1] showing the differences between two plans for season, time of day, and baseline allowance (tiered usage). [0] https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/rate-plans/time-of-use/ETOUA.pdf https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/rate-p... [1] https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/how-rates-work/Residential-Rates-Plan-Pricing.pdf https://www.pge.com/pge_global/common/pdfs/rate-plans/how-ra...

a9h74j 4y ago

The next SBF will master the carrot arbitrage.