Frequently Asked Questions
FlatPeak is the only global platform for real-time end-user energy tariffs. We connect directly to energy providers to deliver live cost of energy (i.e. tariff) data to your device or system. This FAQ explains how FlatPeak simplifies energy cost-based device optimisation.
How does it work?
How does it work?
FlatPeak integrates with thousands of energy providers, dynamic wholesale markets and regional electricity networks globally. By integrating directly to your customer’s electricity account in real time, FlatPeak’s APIs deliver accurate tariff data. This enables automated control logic—such as shifting device usage to times of lower cost or lower carbon intensity—without requiring manual configuration by the user.
Why should I use it?
Why should I use it?
With FlatPeak, device and app makers can easily optimise their products to use cheaper and cleaner energy, anywhere in the world. Without it, you’d need to build and maintain connections to thousands of energy providers across every market you operate in—an expensive and complex task. FlatPeak simplifies this with a single, consistent API for accessing real-time tariffs globally.
Tariffs
Electricity is priced per unit (kWh) and, occationally the kW. But actual costs vary by time, usage, and provider. FlatPeak simplifies this by providing standardised, time-based pricing—so you can build energy-aware features without decoding complex tariff models.
What are tariff types?
What are tariff types?
Tariff type refers to the pricing structure used to determine how electricity is charged. It defines how the cost per unit (typically per kWh) changes based on factors like time, usage, or customer category.
Here are some common tariff types you might encounter:
🔹 Flat Tariff
- Same price per kWh at all times.
- Simple but doesn’t reflect real-time cost or carbon intensity.
🔹 Time-of-Use (ToU) Tariff
- Prices vary based on time of day, day of week, or season.
- Common examples: cheaper at night, more expensive during peak hours.
🔹 Dynamic/Real-Time Tariff
- Prices change hourly or sub-hourly, based on market conditions or grid demand.
- Examples include wholesale-linked tariffs or real-time carbon pricing.
🔹 Tiered or Block Tariff
- Cost increases or decreases depending on how much electricity you’ve used.
- Often used for residential customers to encourage energy efficiency.
🔹 Demand-Based Tariff
- Charges include a component based on peak power demand, not just energy used.
- Common in commercial/industrial settings and some residential markets.
What are the tariff components?
What are the tariff components?
The electricity price that a customer pays typically consists of several components, which vary by country, provider, and customer type. Understanding these components is key to accurate energy optimisation and billing.
Here’s a breakdown of the main components:
🔹 Energy (or Supply) Cost
- The actual cost of generating the electricity.
- Can be fixed, time-based (e.g. Time-of-Use), or dynamic (e.g. wholesale market-linked).
- This is often the most variable part of the price.
- FlatPeak labels this tariff component as
COMMODITY.
🔹 Network or Distribution Charges
- Covers the cost of delivering electricity from generators to homes/businesses.
- Usually set by the local grid operator or DSO (Distribution System Operator).
- May vary by region, usage level, or time.
- FlatPeak labels this tariff component as
NON_COMMODITY.
🔹 Taxes and Levies
- Includes government taxes, carbon levies, green energy fees, etc.
- Often flat-rate or percentage-based.
- Can include VAT, renewable energy surcharges, or national capacity charges.
- FlatPeak labels this tariff component as
NON_COMMODITY.
🔹 Environmental or Capacity Charges (optional)
- Some tariffs include charges to support grid stability, green energy schemes, or capacity reserve.
- May appear as line items or be built into unit rates.
🔹 Standing Charge (or Fixed Daily Charge)
- A daily or monthly fee just to be connected to the grid, regardless of usage.
- Covers admin, metering, and maintenance costs.
What is tariff direction?
What is tariff direction?
- IMPORT: What customer pays to the electricity provider for energy use.
- EXPORT: What the provider pays to customer when electricity is sent back to the grid.
Can customers choose their tariff?
Can customers choose their tariff?
In most markets, customers can choose both their energy provider and their tariff. The available options depend on where they live—so there may be thousands of tariffs to choose from.
Customers usually select a tariff based on factors like their lifestyle, risk tolerance, and how smart or automated their home or devices are.
Can Flatpeak detect tariff changes?
Can Flatpeak detect tariff changes?
Yes—FlatPeak detects tariff changes in three main ways:
-
Provider Change: When a customer switches energy providers, FlatPeak detects the change and sends a webhook notification. You can use this to prompt the customer to connect their new provider. The same applies when a tariff expires.
-
Tariff Change (Same Provider): If the customer stays with the same provider but changes tariffs, FlatPeak automatically updates the tariff information via the API—no action needed from your side.
-
Price Change (Within Tariff): If prices change within the same tariff—whether it’s fixed, time-of-use, or fully dynamic—FlatPeak detects and updates this in real time.
VPP & Flexibility
What is VPP?
What is VPP?
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) let devices trade energy based on real-time supply and demand. FlatPeak makes this possible by giving you live import and export prices for energy at the asset’s location, so your devices can buy or sell energy at the best times.
What flexibility trading?
What flexibility trading?
Flexibility trading typically refers to allowing energy networks to control devices—turning them on or off—to help balance the grid.
FlatPeak doesn’t offer this kind of direct grid control. Instead, it supports smart devices in participating in energy trading by providing the data and tools to optimise usage based on price and carbon intensity.
FlatPeak service
What is DIRECT / LIBRARY / MARKET / MANUAL?
What is DIRECT / LIBRARY / MARKET / MANUAL?
These terms refer to the different ways FlatPeak’s Connect service can retrieve a customer’s electricity tariff:
- DIRECT: The customer logs in to their energy provider and authorises access. FlatPeak then retrieves the tariff details directly from the source.
- LIBRARY: The customer selects their tariff from a preloaded list of available options.
- MARKET: For wholesale-linked tariffs, FlatPeak calculates the full cost by combining market prices with applicable network charges, taxes, and other surcharges.
- MANUAL: The customer enters their tariff details themselves—either as a flat rate or time-of-use structure.
Which energy providers are supported?
Which energy providers are supported?
FlatPeak supports all energy providers across global markets. We maintain an up-to-date directory of thousands of providers—around 2,500 in Europe, 2,000 in North America, and over 7,500 worldwide.
If a provider is missing, you can report it during onboarding without delaying your setup. We prioritise new integrations based on:
- Actual user demand
- Customer feedback and requested priorities
- Market changes, including new or retiring providers
Can Energy Providers join?
Can Energy Providers join?
Yes—FlatPeak can quickly integrate with any energy provider. This saves providers and device manufacturers from building individual integrations.
Most integrations take 3–4 weeks, with FlatPeak handling the majority of the work, including testing. Once connected, providers can deliver real-time tariff data to all connected devices—regardless of how complex or dynamic the tariff is.
Branding
Can I use the energy provider logos in my ads?
Can I use the energy provider logos in my ads?
Yes, you can use energy provider logos and names for comparative purposes, which is generally allowed under fair use.
However, you should not highlight or promote a specific provider as a partner or exclusive option unless you have their explicit permission.
Can I brand and customise the service?
Can I brand and customise the service?
Yes—FlatPeak service is an API and is completely invisible to your end users. You have full control over how FlatPeak-powered features are presented, so you can tailor the experience to fit your brand and design seamlessly.
Commercial & Legal
How is FlatPeak service charged?
How is FlatPeak service charged?
FlatPeak charges based on the number of unique locations you connect. We offer volume discounts—the more locations you onboard, the lower the cost per location.
We also support migrating your existing tariff data into FlatPeak, which simplifies operations and reduces maintenance. Migrated locations may qualify for additional discounts.
What are the payment options?
What are the payment options?
FlatPeak supports both invoice-based and automated card payments. Billing is monthly and based on the number of active locations.
To update your payment method, visit the Billing section of your FlatPeak dashboard.
Is Flatpeak compliant with privacy laws & regulations?
Is Flatpeak compliant with privacy laws & regulations?
Yes—FlatPeak is fully compliant with global privacy laws, including GDPR, CCPA, CPPA, LGPD, PDPA, and similar regulations.
By default, FlatPeak acts as a Data Processor, handling customer data only under your instruction. We support you in obtaining the necessary end-customer consent to access and use their tariff data.
All customer-facing interactions are branded as your own, so users see the service as coming from your company—not FlatPeak.