In some cases it is because the consumer has opted for variable rates, essentially making a bet that net-net, variable rates will be less expensive than the fixed rates. Or that they would be able to shift usage to reduce usage during spikes. See: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/22/texas-pauses-electri...

Also see: https://www.ft.com/content/0e746280-e72c-4087-9c0d-df2a7af82...

Feb 2021 FT: "Bills mount in Texas power market after freeze sends prices soaring: Financial casualties emerge as grid operator Ercot requires billions in payments "

In Alberta, the electricity system has been deregulated so you can buy from numerous providers. The Utilities Consumer Advocate shows 187[0] different electricity plans available in my city. My currently plan and provider changes rates monthly, but some providers allow you to sign up for 3-year or 5-year fixed-rate plans.

Thanks to deregulation, the electricity rate isn't the only thing you pay for though. There is also a Transmission Charge, Distribution Charge, and Local Access Fee. These are all per-kWh charges and change very rarely.

In October, my electricity rate is $0.10730/kWh, but my total cost is actually $0.16346/kWh plus the per-day charge ($0.202/day). Tomorrow the November rate will be published.

[0] https://ucahelps.alberta.ca/cost-comparison-tool-result.aspx...

This also depends on the country. Where I live (Europe) the rate now changes by the minute, or thereabouts. That was made possible after everybody had to change to wireless meters. Sometimes you'll get a warning in advance - a newspaper may write "If you live here or here, don't do your cooking at this particular hour". Some providers still have fixed rate options, some apparently don't. What I dislike the most is that they're trying to force us to run our washing during the night, something the insurance company and the fire department warn intensely against. And I don't want to be at sleep if a fire starts (which happens here and there, through the year). But that's what the pricing scheme tries to enforce.

I’m curious to see the stats they are relying on and the communications materials the fire department and insurance company are using on this topic.

It seems to me from a life-safety angle that their energy would likely be far better spent on recommending smoke alarms, CO meters, and periodic cleaning of dryer vents than on recommendations against sleeping with washing/drying machines running.

They do all of that as well, of course. The problem is that when it does happen (and statistically, it will, somewhere, at some point) there's a chance you don't hear the alarm (very common - just this morning there was a newspaper story about someone who were saved by the neighbours, they didn't wake up right away even with all the alarms blaring. What the alarms did though was to alert the fire department, as per their setup).

In short - if there's a fire it's much better that you're awake and up already.

Octopus Energy in the UK has a tariff that charges half-hourly rates. They also offer an API to interrogate current pricing and usage and encourage their customers - including domestic users - to take advantage of it: https://developer.octopus.energy/docs/api/

Here are providers that offer spot pricing to consumers:

https://www.flickelectric.co.nz/pricing-and-plans

https://www.pauatothepeople.co.nz/cheap-as.html

Aside from this, peak / off-peak pricing is not unusual.

I’ve never seen such a thing. Every locale here has a meter and you are charged monthly for exactly how much you use. Just like water.

I think he means the price per kWh changes each month.

Rates are $/kWh. GP has some billing tariff where the rates change apparently.

TVA in the United States has a variable rate per month due to fuel surcharges.