feat(periods): add quality gates for period homogeneity

Prevent relaxation from creating heterogeneous periods:

1. CV-based Quality Gate (PERIOD_MAX_CV = 25%)
   - Periods with internal CV >25% are rejected during relaxation
   - CV field added to period statistics for transparency

2. Period Overlap Protection
   - New periods cannot "swallow" existing smaller periods
   - CV-based merge blocking prevents heterogeneous combinations
   - Preserves good baseline periods from relaxation replacement

3. Constants in types.py
   - PERIOD_MAX_CV, CROSS_DAY_*, SUPERSESSION_* thresholds
   - TibberPricesPeriodStatistics extended with coefficient_of_variation field

Impact: Users get smaller, more homogeneous periods that better represent
actual cheap/expensive windows.

custom_components/tibber_prices/coordinator/period_handlers/period_overlap.py

@@ -17,6 +17,41 @@ INDENT_L1 = "  "  # Nested logic / loop iterations
 INDENT_L2 = "    "  # Deeper nesting
 
 
+def _estimate_merged_cv(period1: dict, period2: dict) -> float | None:
+    """
+    Estimate the CV of a merged period from two period summaries.
+
+    Since we don't have the raw prices, we estimate using the combined min/max range.
+    This is a conservative estimate - the actual CV could be higher or lower.
+
+    Formula: CV ≈ (range / 2) / mean * 100
+    Where range = max - min, mean = (min + max) / 2
+
+    This approximation assumes roughly uniform distribution within the range.
+    """
+    p1_min = period1.get("price_min")
+    p1_max = period1.get("price_max")
+    p2_min = period2.get("price_min")
+    p2_max = period2.get("price_max")
+
+    if None in (p1_min, p1_max, p2_min, p2_max):
+        return None
+
+    # Cast to float - None case handled above
+    combined_min = min(float(p1_min), float(p2_min))  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    combined_max = max(float(p1_max), float(p2_max))  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+
+    if combined_min <= 0:
+        return None
+
+    combined_mean = (combined_min + combined_max) / 2
+    price_range = combined_max - combined_min
+
+    # CV estimate based on range (assuming uniform distribution)
+    # For uniform distribution: std_dev ≈ range / sqrt(12) ≈ range / 3.46
+    return (price_range / 3.46) / combined_mean * 100
+
+
 def recalculate_period_metadata(periods: list[dict], *, time: TibberPricesTimeService) -> None:
     """
     Recalculate period metadata after merging periods.
@@ -120,6 +155,119 @@ def merge_adjacent_periods(period1: dict, period2: dict) -> dict:
     return merged
 
 
+def _check_merge_quality_gate(periods_to_merge: list[tuple[int, dict]], relaxed: dict) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if merging would create a period that's too heterogeneous.
+
+    Returns True if merge is allowed, False if blocked by Quality Gate.
+    """
+    from .types import PERIOD_MAX_CV  # noqa: PLC0415
+
+    relaxed_start = relaxed["start"]
+    relaxed_end = relaxed["end"]
+
+    for _idx, existing in periods_to_merge:
+        estimated_cv = _estimate_merged_cv(existing, relaxed)
+        if estimated_cv is not None and estimated_cv > PERIOD_MAX_CV:
+            _LOGGER.debug(
+                "Merge blocked by Quality Gate: %s-%s + %s-%s would have CV≈%.1f%% (max: %.1f%%)",
+                existing["start"].strftime("%H:%M"),
+                existing["end"].strftime("%H:%M"),
+                relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                estimated_cv,
+                PERIOD_MAX_CV,
+            )
+            return False
+    return True
+
+
+def _would_swallow_existing(relaxed: dict, existing_periods: list[dict]) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if the relaxed period would "swallow" any existing period.
+
+    A period is "swallowed" if the new relaxed period completely contains it.
+    In this case, we should NOT merge - the existing smaller period is more
+    homogeneous and should be preserved.
+
+    This prevents relaxation from replacing good small periods with larger,
+    more heterogeneous ones.
+
+    Returns:
+        True if any existing period would be swallowed (merge should be blocked)
+        False if safe to proceed with merge evaluation
+
+    """
+    relaxed_start = relaxed["start"]
+    relaxed_end = relaxed["end"]
+
+    for existing in existing_periods:
+        existing_start = existing["start"]
+        existing_end = existing["end"]
+
+        # Check if relaxed completely contains existing
+        if relaxed_start <= existing_start and relaxed_end >= existing_end:
+            _LOGGER.debug(
+                "Blocking merge: %s-%s would swallow %s-%s (keeping smaller period)",
+                relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                existing_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                existing_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
+            )
+            return True
+
+    return False
+
+
+def _is_duplicate_period(relaxed: dict, existing_periods: list[dict], tolerance_seconds: int = 60) -> bool:
+    """Check if relaxed period is a duplicate of any existing period."""
+    relaxed_start = relaxed["start"]
+    relaxed_end = relaxed["end"]
+
+    for existing in existing_periods:
+        if (
+            abs((relaxed_start - existing["start"]).total_seconds()) < tolerance_seconds
+            and abs((relaxed_end - existing["end"]).total_seconds()) < tolerance_seconds
+        ):
+            _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
+                "%sSkipping duplicate period %s-%s (already exists)",
+                INDENT_L1,
+                relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
+            )
+            return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _find_adjacent_or_overlapping(relaxed: dict, existing_periods: list[dict]) -> list[tuple[int, dict]]:
+    """Find all periods that are adjacent to or overlapping with the relaxed period."""
+    relaxed_start = relaxed["start"]
+    relaxed_end = relaxed["end"]
+    periods_to_merge = []
+
+    for idx, existing in enumerate(existing_periods):
+        existing_start = existing["start"]
+        existing_end = existing["end"]
+
+        # Check if adjacent (no gap) or overlapping
+        is_adjacent = relaxed_end == existing_start or relaxed_start == existing_end
+        is_overlapping = relaxed_start < existing_end and relaxed_end > existing_start
+
+        if is_adjacent or is_overlapping:
+            periods_to_merge.append((idx, existing))
+            _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
+                "%sPeriod %s-%s %s with existing period %s-%s",
+                INDENT_L1,
+                relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                "overlaps" if is_overlapping else "is adjacent to",
+                existing_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                existing_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
+            )
+
+    return periods_to_merge
+
+
 def resolve_period_overlaps(
     existing_periods: list[dict],
     new_relaxed_periods: list[dict],
@@ -130,6 +278,10 @@ def resolve_period_overlaps(
     Adjacent or overlapping periods are merged into single continuous periods.
     The newer period's relaxation attributes override the older period's.
 
+    Quality Gate: Merging is blocked if the combined period would have
+    an estimated CV above PERIOD_MAX_CV (25%), to prevent creating
+    periods with excessive internal price variation.
+
     This function is called incrementally after each relaxation phase:
     - Phase 1: existing = baseline, new = first relaxation
     - Phase 2: existing = baseline + phase 1, new = second relaxation
@@ -167,46 +319,16 @@ def resolve_period_overlaps(
         relaxed_end = relaxed["end"]
 
         # Check if this period is duplicate (exact match within tolerance)
-        tolerance_seconds = 60  # 1 minute tolerance
+        if _is_duplicate_period(relaxed, merged):
-        is_duplicate = False
+            continue
-        for existing in merged:
-            if (
-                abs((relaxed_start - existing["start"]).total_seconds()) < tolerance_seconds
-                and abs((relaxed_end - existing["end"]).total_seconds()) < tolerance_seconds
-            ):
-                is_duplicate = True
-                _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
-                    "%sSkipping duplicate period %s-%s (already exists)",
-                    INDENT_L1,
-                    relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
-                    relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
-                )
-                break
 
-        if is_duplicate:
+        # Check if this period would "swallow" an existing smaller period
+        # In that case, skip it - the smaller existing period is more homogeneous
+        if _would_swallow_existing(relaxed, merged):
             continue
 
         # Find periods that are adjacent or overlapping (should be merged)
-        periods_to_merge = []
+        periods_to_merge = _find_adjacent_or_overlapping(relaxed, merged)
-        for idx, existing in enumerate(merged):
-            existing_start = existing["start"]
-            existing_end = existing["end"]
-
-            # Check if adjacent (no gap) or overlapping
-            is_adjacent = relaxed_end == existing_start or relaxed_start == existing_end
-            is_overlapping = relaxed_start < existing_end and relaxed_end > existing_start
-
-            if is_adjacent or is_overlapping:
-                periods_to_merge.append((idx, existing))
-                _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
-                    "%sPeriod %s-%s %s with existing period %s-%s",
-                    INDENT_L1,
-                    relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
-                    relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
-                    "overlaps" if is_overlapping else "is adjacent to",
-                    existing_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
-                    existing_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
-                )
 
         if not periods_to_merge:
             # No merge needed - add as new period
@@ -218,23 +340,39 @@ def resolve_period_overlaps(
                 relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
                 relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
             )
-        else:
+            continue
-            # Merge with all adjacent/overlapping periods
-            # Start with the new relaxed period
-            merged_period = relaxed.copy()
 
-            # Remove old periods (in reverse order to maintain indices)
+        # Quality Gate: Check if merging would create a period that's too heterogeneous
-            for idx, existing in reversed(periods_to_merge):
+        should_merge = _check_merge_quality_gate(periods_to_merge, relaxed)
-                merged_period = merge_adjacent_periods(existing, merged_period)
-                merged.pop(idx)
 
-            # Add the merged result
+        if not should_merge:
-            merged.append(merged_period)
+            # Don't merge - add as separate period instead
+            merged.append(relaxed)
+            periods_added += 1
+            _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
+                "%sAdded new period %s-%s separately (merge blocked by CV gate)",
+                INDENT_L1,
+                relaxed_start.strftime("%H:%M"),
+                relaxed_end.strftime("%H:%M"),
+            )
+            continue
 
-            # Count as added if we merged exactly one existing period
+        # Merge with all adjacent/overlapping periods
-            # (means we extended/merged, not replaced multiple)
+        # Start with the new relaxed period
-            if len(periods_to_merge) == 1:
+        merged_period = relaxed.copy()
-                periods_added += 1
+
+        # Remove old periods (in reverse order to maintain indices)
+        for idx, existing in reversed(periods_to_merge):
+            merged_period = merge_adjacent_periods(existing, merged_period)
+            merged.pop(idx)
+
+        # Add the merged result
+        merged.append(merged_period)
+
+        # Count as added if we merged exactly one existing period
+        # (means we extended/merged, not replaced multiple)
+        if len(periods_to_merge) == 1:
+            periods_added += 1
 
     # Sort all periods by start time
     merged.sort(key=lambda p: p["start"])

custom_components/tibber_prices/coordinator/period_handlers/period_statistics.py

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ from custom_components.tibber_prices.utils.average import calculate_median
 from custom_components.tibber_prices.utils.price import (
     aggregate_period_levels,
     aggregate_period_ratings,
+    calculate_coefficient_of_variation,
     calculate_volatility_level,
 )
 
@@ -170,6 +171,7 @@ def build_period_summary_dict(
         "price_max": stats.price_max,
         "price_spread": stats.price_spread,
         "volatility": stats.volatility,
+        "coefficient_of_variation": stats.coefficient_of_variation,
         # 4. Price differences will be added below if available
         # 5. Detail information (additional context)
         "period_interval_count": period_data.period_length,
@@ -314,7 +316,10 @@ def extract_period_summaries(
         # Extract prices for volatility calculation (coefficient of variation)
         prices_for_volatility = [float(p["total"]) for p in period_price_data if "total" in p]
 
-        # Calculate volatility (categorical) and aggregated rating difference (numeric)
+        # Calculate CV (numeric) for quality gate checks
+        period_cv = calculate_coefficient_of_variation(prices_for_volatility)
+
+        # Calculate volatility (categorical) using thresholds
         volatility = calculate_volatility_level(
             prices_for_volatility,
             threshold_moderate=thresholds.threshold_volatility_moderate,
@@ -348,6 +353,7 @@ def extract_period_summaries(
             price_max=price_stats["price_max"],
             price_spread=price_stats["price_spread"],
             volatility=volatility,
+            coefficient_of_variation=round(period_cv, 1) if period_cv is not None else None,
             period_price_diff=period_price_diff,
             period_price_diff_pct=period_price_diff_pct,
         )

custom_components/tibber_prices/coordinator/period_handlers/relaxation.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
     from custom_components.tibber_prices.coordinator.time_service import TibberPricesTimeService
 
-    from .types import TibberPricesPeriodConfig
+from custom_components.tibber_prices.utils.price import calculate_coefficient_of_variation
 
 from .period_overlap import (
     recalculate_period_metadata,
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ from .types import (
     INDENT_L0,
     INDENT_L1,
     INDENT_L2,
+    PERIOD_MAX_CV,
+    TibberPricesPeriodConfig,
 )
 
 _LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -32,6 +34,125 @@ FLEX_WARNING_THRESHOLD_RELAXATION = 0.25  # 25% - INFO: suggest lowering to 15-2
 MAX_FLEX_HARD_LIMIT = 0.50  # 50% - hard maximum flex value
 FLEX_HIGH_THRESHOLD_RELAXATION = 0.30  # 30% - WARNING: base flex too high for relaxation mode
 
+# Min duration fallback constants
+# When all relaxation phases are exhausted and still no periods found,
+# gradually reduce min_period_length to find at least something
+MIN_DURATION_FALLBACK_MINIMUM = 30  # Minimum period length to try (30 min = 2 intervals)
+MIN_DURATION_FALLBACK_STEP = 15  # Reduce by 15 min (1 interval) each step
+
+
+def _check_period_quality(
+    period: dict, all_prices: list[dict], *, time: TibberPricesTimeService
+) -> tuple[bool, float | None]:
+    """
+    Check if a period passes the quality gate (internal CV not too high).
+
+    The Quality Gate prevents relaxation from creating periods with too much
+    internal price variation. A "best price period" with prices ranging from
+    0.5 to 1.0 kr/kWh is not useful - user can't trust it's actually "best".
+
+    Args:
+        period: Period summary dict with "start" and "end" datetime
+        all_prices: All price intervals (to look up prices for CV calculation)
+        time: Time service for interval time parsing
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (passes_quality_gate, cv_value)
+        - passes_quality_gate: True if CV <= PERIOD_MAX_CV
+        - cv_value: Calculated CV as percentage, or None if not calculable
+
+    """
+    start_time = period.get("start")
+    end_time = period.get("end")
+
+    if not start_time or not end_time:
+        return True, None  # Can't check, assume OK
+
+    # Build lookup for prices
+    price_lookup: dict[str, float] = {}
+    for price_data in all_prices:
+        interval_time = time.get_interval_time(price_data)
+        if interval_time:
+            price_lookup[interval_time.isoformat()] = float(price_data["total"])
+
+    # Collect prices within the period
+    period_prices: list[float] = []
+    interval_duration = time.get_interval_duration()
+
+    current = start_time
+    while current < end_time:
+        price = price_lookup.get(current.isoformat())
+        if price is not None:
+            period_prices.append(price)
+        current = current + interval_duration
+
+    # Need at least 2 prices to calculate CV (same as MIN_PRICES_FOR_VOLATILITY in price.py)
+    min_prices_for_cv = 2
+    if len(period_prices) < min_prices_for_cv:
+        return True, None  # Too few prices to calculate CV
+
+    cv = calculate_coefficient_of_variation(period_prices)
+    if cv is None:
+        return True, None
+
+    passes = cv <= PERIOD_MAX_CV
+    return passes, cv
+
+
+def _count_quality_periods(
+    periods: list[dict],
+    all_prices: list[dict],
+    prices_by_day: dict[date, list[dict]],
+    min_periods: int,
+    *,
+    time: TibberPricesTimeService,
+) -> tuple[int, int]:
+    """
+    Count days meeting requirement when considering quality gate.
+
+    Only periods passing the quality gate (CV <= PERIOD_MAX_CV) are counted
+    towards meeting the min_periods requirement.
+
+    Args:
+        periods: List of all periods
+        all_prices: All price intervals
+        prices_by_day: Price intervals grouped by day
+        min_periods: Target periods per day
+        time: Time service
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (days_meeting_requirement, total_quality_periods)
+
+    """
+    periods_by_day = group_periods_by_day(periods)
+    days_meeting_requirement = 0
+    total_quality_periods = 0
+
+    for day in sorted(prices_by_day.keys()):
+        day_periods = periods_by_day.get(day, [])
+        quality_count = 0
+
+        for period in day_periods:
+            passes, cv = _check_period_quality(period, all_prices, time=time)
+            if passes:
+                quality_count += 1
+            else:
+                _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
+                    "%s      Day %s: Period %s-%s REJECTED by quality gate (CV=%.1f%% > %.1f%%)",
+                    INDENT_L2,
+                    day,
+                    period.get("start", "?").strftime("%H:%M") if hasattr(period.get("start"), "strftime") else "?",
+                    period.get("end", "?").strftime("%H:%M") if hasattr(period.get("end"), "strftime") else "?",
+                    cv or 0,
+                    PERIOD_MAX_CV,
+                )
+
+        total_quality_periods += quality_count
+        if quality_count >= min_periods:
+            days_meeting_requirement += 1
+
+    return days_meeting_requirement, total_quality_periods
+
 
 def group_periods_by_day(periods: list[dict]) -> dict[date, list[dict]]:
     """
@@ -137,7 +258,167 @@ def group_prices_by_day(all_prices: list[dict], *, time: TibberPricesTimeService
     return prices_by_day
 
 
-def calculate_periods_with_relaxation(  # noqa: PLR0913, PLR0915 - Per-day relaxation requires many parameters and statements
+def _try_min_duration_fallback(
+    *,
+    config: TibberPricesPeriodConfig,
+    existing_periods: list[dict],
+    prices_by_day: dict[date, list[dict]],
+    time: TibberPricesTimeService,
+) -> tuple[dict[str, Any] | None, dict[str, Any]]:
+    """
+    Try reducing min_period_length to find periods when relaxation is exhausted.
+
+    This is a LAST RESORT mechanism. It only activates when:
+    1. All relaxation phases have been tried
+    2. Some days STILL have zero periods (not just below min_periods)
+
+    The fallback progressively reduces min_period_length:
+    - 60 min (default) → 45 min → 30 min (minimum)
+
+    It does NOT reduce below 30 min (2 intervals) because a single 15-min
+    interval is essentially just the daily min/max price - not a "period".
+
+    Args:
+        config: Period configuration
+        existing_periods: Periods found so far (from relaxation)
+        prices_by_day: Price intervals grouped by day
+        time: Time service instance
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (result dict with periods, metadata dict) or (None, empty metadata)
+
+    """
+    from .core import calculate_periods  # noqa: PLC0415 - Avoid circular import
+
+    metadata: dict[str, Any] = {"phases_used": [], "fallback_active": False}
+
+    # Only try fallback if current min_period_length > minimum
+    if config.min_period_length <= MIN_DURATION_FALLBACK_MINIMUM:
+        return None, metadata
+
+    # Check which days have ZERO periods (not just below target)
+    existing_by_day = group_periods_by_day(existing_periods)
+    days_with_zero_periods = [day for day in prices_by_day if not existing_by_day.get(day)]
+
+    if not days_with_zero_periods:
+        _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
+            "%sMin duration fallback: All days have at least one period - no fallback needed",
+            INDENT_L1,
+        )
+        return None, metadata
+
+    _LOGGER.info(
+        "Min duration fallback: %d day(s) have zero periods, trying shorter min_period_length...",
+        len(days_with_zero_periods),
+    )
+
+    # Try progressively shorter min_period_length
+    current_min_duration = config.min_period_length
+    fallback_periods: list[dict] = []
+
+    while current_min_duration > MIN_DURATION_FALLBACK_MINIMUM:
+        current_min_duration = max(
+            current_min_duration - MIN_DURATION_FALLBACK_STEP,
+            MIN_DURATION_FALLBACK_MINIMUM,
+        )
+
+        _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
+            "%sTrying min_period_length=%d min for days with zero periods",
+            INDENT_L2,
+            current_min_duration,
+        )
+
+        # Create modified config with shorter min_period_length
+        # Use maxed-out flex (50%) since we're in fallback mode
+        fallback_config = TibberPricesPeriodConfig(
+            reverse_sort=config.reverse_sort,
+            flex=MAX_FLEX_HARD_LIMIT,  # Max flex
+            min_distance_from_avg=0,  # Disable min_distance in fallback
+            min_period_length=current_min_duration,
+            threshold_low=config.threshold_low,
+            threshold_high=config.threshold_high,
+            threshold_volatility_moderate=config.threshold_volatility_moderate,
+            threshold_volatility_high=config.threshold_volatility_high,
+            threshold_volatility_very_high=config.threshold_volatility_very_high,
+            level_filter=None,  # Disable level filter
+            gap_count=config.gap_count,
+        )
+
+        # Try to find periods for days with zero periods
+        for day in days_with_zero_periods:
+            day_prices = prices_by_day.get(day, [])
+            if not day_prices:
+                continue
+
+            try:
+                day_result = calculate_periods(
+                    day_prices,
+                    config=fallback_config,
+                    time=time,
+                )
+
+                day_periods = day_result.get("periods", [])
+                if day_periods:
+                    # Mark periods with fallback metadata
+                    for period in day_periods:
+                        period["duration_fallback_active"] = True
+                        period["duration_fallback_min_length"] = current_min_duration
+                        period["relaxation_active"] = True
+                        period["relaxation_level"] = f"duration_fallback={current_min_duration}min"
+
+                    fallback_periods.extend(day_periods)
+                    _LOGGER.info(
+                        "Min duration fallback: Found %d period(s) for %s at min_length=%d min",
+                        len(day_periods),
+                        day,
+                        current_min_duration,
+                    )
+
+            except (KeyError, ValueError, TypeError) as err:
+                _LOGGER.warning(
+                    "Error during min duration fallback for %s: %s",
+                    day,
+                    err,
+                )
+                continue
+
+        # If we found periods for all zero-period days, we can stop
+        if fallback_periods:
+            # Remove days that now have periods from the list
+            fallback_by_day = group_periods_by_day(fallback_periods)
+            days_with_zero_periods = [day for day in days_with_zero_periods if not fallback_by_day.get(day)]
+
+            if not days_with_zero_periods:
+                break
+
+    if fallback_periods:
+        # Merge with existing periods
+        # resolve_period_overlaps merges adjacent/overlapping periods
+        merged_periods, _new_count = resolve_period_overlaps(
+            existing_periods,
+            fallback_periods,
+        )
+        recalculate_period_metadata(merged_periods, time=time)
+
+        metadata["fallback_active"] = True
+        metadata["phases_used"] = [f"duration_fallback (min_length={current_min_duration}min)"]
+
+        _LOGGER.info(
+            "Min duration fallback complete: Added %d period(s), total now %d",
+            len(fallback_periods),
+            len(merged_periods),
+        )
+
+        return {"periods": merged_periods}, metadata
+
+    _LOGGER.warning(
+        "Min duration fallback: Still %d day(s) with zero periods after trying all durations",
+        len(days_with_zero_periods),
+    )
+    return None, metadata
+
+
+def calculate_periods_with_relaxation(  # noqa: PLR0912, PLR0913, PLR0915 - Per-day relaxation requires many parameters and branches
     all_prices: list[dict],
     *,
     config: TibberPricesPeriodConfig,
@@ -185,6 +466,9 @@ def calculate_periods_with_relaxation(  # noqa: PLR0913, PLR0915 - Per-day relax
     from .core import (  # noqa: PLC0415
         calculate_periods,
     )
+    from .period_building import (  # noqa: PLC0415
+        filter_superseded_periods,
+    )
 
     # Compact INFO-level summary
     period_type = "PEAK PRICE" if config.reverse_sort else "BEST PRICE"
@@ -338,6 +622,37 @@ def calculate_periods_with_relaxation(  # noqa: PLR0913, PLR0915 - Per-day relax
             period_count = len(day_periods)
             if period_count >= min_periods:
                 days_meeting_requirement += 1
+
+        # === MIN DURATION FALLBACK ===
+        # If still no periods after relaxation, try reducing min_period_length
+        # This is a last resort to ensure users always get SOME period
+        if days_meeting_requirement < total_days and config.min_period_length > MIN_DURATION_FALLBACK_MINIMUM:
+            _LOGGER.info(
+                "Relaxation incomplete (%d/%d days). Trying min_duration fallback...",
+                days_meeting_requirement,
+                total_days,
+            )
+
+            fallback_result, fallback_metadata = _try_min_duration_fallback(
+                config=config,
+                existing_periods=all_periods,
+                prices_by_day=prices_by_day,
+                time=time,
+            )
+
+            if fallback_result:
+                all_periods = fallback_result["periods"]
+                all_phases_used.extend(fallback_metadata.get("phases_used", []))
+
+                # Recount after fallback
+                periods_by_day = group_periods_by_day(all_periods)
+                days_meeting_requirement = 0
+                for day in sorted(prices_by_day.keys()):
+                    day_periods = periods_by_day.get(day, [])
+                    period_count = len(day_periods)
+                    if period_count >= min_periods:
+                        days_meeting_requirement += 1
+
     elif enable_relaxation:
         _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
             "%sAll %d days met target with baseline - no relaxation needed",
@@ -351,6 +666,14 @@ def calculate_periods_with_relaxation(  # noqa: PLR0913, PLR0915 - Per-day relax
     # Recalculate metadata for combined periods
     recalculate_period_metadata(all_periods, time=time)
 
+    # Apply cross-day supersession filter (only for best-price periods)
+    # This removes late-night today periods that are superseded by better tomorrow alternatives
+    all_periods = filter_superseded_periods(
+        all_periods,
+        time=time,
+        reverse_sort=config.reverse_sort,
+    )
+
     # Build final result
     final_result = baseline_result.copy()
     final_result["periods"] = all_periods
@@ -491,23 +814,11 @@ def relax_all_prices(  # noqa: PLR0913 - Comprehensive filter relaxation require
             new_relaxed_periods=new_periods,
         )
 
-        # Count periods per day to check if requirement met
+        # Count periods per day with QUALITY GATE check
-        periods_by_day = group_periods_by_day(combined)
+        # Only periods with CV <= PERIOD_MAX_CV count towards min_periods requirement
-        days_meeting_requirement = 0
+        days_meeting_requirement, quality_period_count = _count_quality_periods(
-
+            combined, all_prices, prices_by_day, min_periods, time=time
-        for day in sorted(prices_by_day.keys()):
+        )
-            day_periods = periods_by_day.get(day, [])
-            period_count = len(day_periods)
-            if period_count >= min_periods:
-                days_meeting_requirement += 1
-
-            _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(
-                "%s      Day %s: %d periods%s",
-                INDENT_L2,
-                day,
-                period_count,
-                " ✓" if period_count >= min_periods else f" (need {min_periods})",
-            )
 
         total_periods = len(combined)
         _LOGGER_DETAILS.debug(

custom_components/tibber_prices/coordinator/period_handlers/types.py

@@ -15,6 +15,24 @@ from custom_components.tibber_prices.const import (
     DEFAULT_VOLATILITY_THRESHOLD_VERY_HIGH,
 )
 
+# Quality Gate: Maximum coefficient of variation (CV) allowed within a period
+# Periods with internal CV above this are considered too heterogeneous for "best price"
+# A 25% CV means the std dev is 25% of the mean - beyond this, prices vary too much
+# Example: Period with prices 0.7-0.99 kr has ~15% CV which is acceptable
+#          Period with prices 0.5-1.0 kr has ~30% CV which would be rejected
+PERIOD_MAX_CV = 25.0  # 25% max coefficient of variation within a period
+
+# Cross-Day Extension: Time window constants
+# When a period ends late in the day and tomorrow data is available,
+# we can extend it past midnight if prices remain favorable
+CROSS_DAY_LATE_PERIOD_START_HOUR = 20  # Consider periods starting at 20:00 or later for extension
+CROSS_DAY_MAX_EXTENSION_HOUR = 8  # Don't extend beyond 08:00 next day (covers typical night low)
+
+# Cross-Day Supersession: When tomorrow data arrives, late-night periods that are
+# worse than early-morning tomorrow periods become obsolete
+# A today period is "superseded" if tomorrow has a significantly better alternative
+SUPERSESSION_PRICE_IMPROVEMENT_PCT = 10.0  # Tomorrow must be at least 10% cheaper to supersede
+
 # Log indentation levels for visual hierarchy
 INDENT_L0 = ""  # Top level (calculate_periods_with_relaxation)
 INDENT_L1 = "  "  # Per-day loop
@@ -62,6 +80,7 @@ class TibberPricesPeriodStatistics(NamedTuple):
     price_max: float
     price_spread: float
     volatility: str
+    coefficient_of_variation: float | None  # CV as percentage (e.g., 15.0 for 15%)
     period_price_diff: float | None
     period_price_diff_pct: float | None