PEAK SHAVING THROUGH EMS and PLML

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In many areas of the country, most residents and businesses need power at precisely the same time. This causes an increase in demand for utility power, which it may not be able to meet (causing a brownout). If the utility can meet the peak demand, it may charge more for power during this time.

Short periods of increased prices may not affect homeowners who use small amounts of energy individually. However, higher energy costs will affect large consumers, such as manufacturers. To combat these costs, businesses may participate in load leveling or “reducing large fluctuations in customer demand” for power. Peak shaving is one type of load leveling, and HECSY Energy Managment System and Programable Load Management Logic can do PEAK SHAVE AUTOMATICALLY, which is revolutionizing energy automation capabilities.

Peak shaving reduces the quantity of power a facility purchases during peak demand hours. This does not necessarily mean the facility reduces power consumption, although that is one peak shaving technique. Reducing the amount of power purchased from the utility during the most expensive times saves the facility money. It also keeps the facility from consuming more utility power than agreed upon by the company and the utility. When businesses install peak shaving capabilities in their facilities, the power demanded from the utility is more stable. Therefore, the utility doesn’t need to expand to meet peak demand because there may be offset reduced utility power with the customers doing it for them.

One solution to reducing energy needs during peak consumption is onsite generators. While there is an upfront cost associated with installing generators capable of powering an entire facility, those costs may be offset by savings with the utility. 

Instead of onsite power generation strictly during peak consumption, this technique constantly generates and stores power. This is typically done with renewable wind or solar energy stored in batteries. When utility power is more expensive, facilities rely on the stored energy.

Facilities may use less energy to level the load rather than generate electricity on-site. Reducing consumption could mean adjusting production schedules, turning off machines, or improving building efficiencies. The HECSY system will autonomously manage the power being used and the peak demand charges in a single and easy to understand platform