Automation with custom template doesn't trigger

Configuration
1

Hi,

I want to use a custom template to trigger when the current time equals the time of the sensor. I am not sure what the format of this sensor is, so I need to echo the output to check it so I know what date format should be used to compare it with the current time.
How can I echo the sensor.energyzero_today_energy_lowest_price_time?

Custom template code:

{{states('sensor.energyzero_today_energy_lowest_price_time') == now().strftime("%H:%M")}}
2

What is the output of this sensor?

If it’s a datetime sensor, you simple use a time trigger. No template needed.

- platform: time
  at: sensor.energyzero_today_energy_lowest_price_time
3

Thanks @petro, the sensor returns ‘2024-09-20T11:00:00+00:00’, just checked in the template editor.

4

Yep, then all you need is the trigger I provided above. You have to use yaml mode in the UI to use it.

5

Oh yes, I created this:

alias: Turn plug on at lowest energy cost time
description: ""
trigger:
  - platform: time
    at: sensor.energyzero_today_energy_lowest_price_time
condition: []
action:
  - type: turn_on
    device_id: d9454ac7daf6b8b05f7642b9127c841b
    entity_id: 379687fb3908dd19ad6b15836652b905
    domain: switch
  - action: notify.mobile_app_cph2663
    metadata: {}
    data:
      message: Lowesrt energy cost - Plug turned on
mode: single