Can you explain how the Dynamic Rate is different from my current TOU rate?

A TOU (Time-of-Use) rate in California charges different prices depending on the time of day—usually cheaper when the grid has plenty of power and more expensive during peak evening hours. TOU prices are set in advance and stay the same for months at a time.

For the SCE & PG&E Dynamic Rate Pilot, instead of fixed or standard TOU prices, you get hourly price signals that reflect the actual cost of electricity generation and distribution for each hour.

Best understood as: “Prices that change in near real time—both what you pay to charge and what you earn for exporting.”

• Who qualifies: Any SCE or PG&E customer with an eligible device.
• When it matters: All hours of the year—not just summer evenings.
• How charging is billed: For the demonstration, you continue to pay your standard utility bill as usual. The dynamic pricing is tracked separately. At the end of a 12-month period, if the dynamic pricing “pilot bill” would have saved you money compared to your standard rate, you receive a credit for the difference. If not, you don’t owe extra. This means the pilot is risk-free. 
• What you earn for exporting: Export compensation is determined under the grid program (such as ELRP or DSGS that you are signed-up for
• Why it’s attractive: It rewards smart, automated charging and discharging strategies that respond to grid needs minute-by-minute.

If you are part of a CCA, there are some CCAs that can be part of the Dynamic Rate Pilot, and others that can not–but don’t worry because we will make sure you are on the rate that works for your situation.