Self-Dispatch Mode: How it Works

Axle Energy offers several different modes for participating in our Virtual Power Plant. This is a guide on our Self-Dispatch Mode. You can read about the rest of them here.

In Self-Dispatch Mode, Axle doesn't send any commands to your inverter during an event. You stay opted in to events as normal, but exporting during each event window is entirely under your control, usually automated through your Home Assistant setup. This works differently from Events Only mode, where we send commands to start your export at the beginning of an event and reset your battery at the end. In Self-Dispatch Mode we don't send any of those start or reset commands. We stay connected to your inverter only so we can confirm we're reading the right device and accurately track your exports.

Yes. You still need a compatible inverter to use Self-Dispatch Mode. Home Assistant doesn't remove that requirement, and there isn't a workaround for unsupported inverters at the moment. You can read more about what manufacturers are compatible with Axle here.

No. In Self-Dispatch Mode Axle doesn't send any commands to your inverter. That means no forced discharges, and no changes to your settings or modes. Your inverter is entirely under your control. Axle only provides the event notification and schedule. We do stay connected to your inverter, but only to take accurate readings for payment purposes, not to control it. This is the same across all supported inverter brands and doesn't vary by manufacturer.

Home Assistant isn't essential, but it's the best way to get the most out of Self-Dispatch Mode. Without it, you'd need to manually trigger the export yourself once we notify you via email of an upcoming event.

Axle integrates with Home Assistant (more info here) so we can announce events straight to your setup via our API. As soon as we know about an event, your Home Assistant is notified of its start and end time, and your setup can automatically trigger your export at the scheduled time. Once it's set up, it runs on its own but in a way that stays under your control.

Yes, you can use Predbat alongside Self-Dispatch Mode. The thing to be aware of is that Predbat's cost-optimisation runs independently of Axle. It decides when to charge and discharge based on tariff prices, so it won't automatically know to hold off or export during an Axle event. Reconciling the two comes down to how Predbat itself is configured, and since that logic lives within Predbat rather than our integration, we're not able to advise on the exact setup. We'd recommend checking Predbat's own documentation or community for the best way to make room for the export window. 

Whether you're in Self-Dispatch Mode or Events Only mode, you're opted into events as default, so you don't need to opt into each one. During each announced window it's up to you (or your Home Assistant automation) to export. If you don't export anything during a window, you simply won't be paid for that event.

Whether you're in Self-Dispatch Mode or Events Only mode, we notify you the day before for standard events. We also run short-notice events, which you opt into separately, with 2 hours' notice. This is the same whichever mode you choose. Axle notifies you via email and you can see upcoming scheduled events in your Axle account.

No. Axle never changes an event's end time mid-event. Start and end times are set in advance with the notice period specified, either the day before for standard events or 2 hours for short-notice events. Self-Dispatch events run on exactly the same schedule as Events Only. They're not separate events. The only difference is that you're in control during them.

Measurement and payment work the same way for Self-Dispatch Mode and Events Only Mode. We stay connected to both your inverter and your smart metre to take export readings. We use both so that if one fails to give us the data we need, we have the other to fall back on. 

Axle credits you for whatever you export to the grid during the scheduled event window. If your battery stops exporting partway through, you're simply credited for whatever you exported up until that point. 

Yes. You can change modes at any time in the settings section of your Axle account, either from Events Only to Self-Dispatch or the other way round, if you feel one mode is no longer right for you. We wouldn't recommend switching frequently though, as this can cause errors with your setup that may need technical support from our team to fix.

You can sign up at vpp.axle.energy and select Self-Dispatch Mode during your onboarding. If you're already an Axle customer, you can switch to Self-Dispatch Mode in the settings section of your Axle account.