What is Peak Shaving?

In 2022, the U.S. consumed 4.05 trillion kWh in electricity, a figure that is 14 times higher than it was in 1950. Coupled with ongoing electrification trends like increased electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing standards and the wider spread adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs), those electric consumption trends will continue to increase. In fact, the EIA reports that electric needs will likely increase between 0-15% from 2022 to 2050. These increases in electricity consumption place an immense strain on the grid and one that promises to grow as temperature extremes continue to rise annually, which results in a higher occurrence of peak demand energy days. Fortunately, by implementing peak shaving techniques, utilities can strategically reduce or shift energy usage during peak demand periods, ensuring grid stability, lowering energy costs, and preventing potential disruptions.

Understanding Peak Shaving

Peak shaving refers to the practice of reducing or shifting energy consumption during periods of high demand to alleviate stress on the grid. The benefits of implementing peak shaving strategies are numerous, including cost savings, improved grid performance, and enhanced customer satisfaction. By strategically managing loads, utilities can avoid peak demand charges, reduce strain on infrastructure, and ensure reliable energy delivery to customers.

EV Managed Charging

With the rise of electric vehicles, utilities can leverage EV managed charging to shift charging activities away from peak periods. This reduces the strain on the grid and maximizes the utilization of renewable energy sources and supports the growth of sustainable transportation. In a recent report from SEPA, EVs could account for around 25 million vehicles on the roads by 2030. In order to meet rising demand, the U.S. EV charging infrastructure market is expected to grow by 27.2% by 2032. What that means for utilities is that more EVs are on the way, and they’re leaving urban population centers and heading to rural areas; finding a peak-shaving solution for the impending increase in demand is crucial to future-proofing the grid.

Demand Response

As we mentioned above, implementing demand response programs allows utilities to incentivize customers to reduce electricity usage during peak demand events. A conservation strategy, demand response is an effective tool for peak shaving, by decreasing the usage of participating customers in the affected service area. By engaging customers in energy conservation practices, utilities can effectively balance supply and demand, ensuring grid stability and cost optimization.

Virtual Power Plants

Virtual power plants are another peak-shaving strategy that brings together distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar panels, energy storage systems, and more to create a flexible and dynamic energy network. More than a buzzword, virtual power plants have shown great potential for increasing energy security by redistributing community-generated renewable energies to minimize demand. By intelligently coordinating these DERs, utilities can optimize generation, storage, and consumption to meet peak demand, minimizing reliance on traditional power plants.

What is Peak Shaving Conclusion

With increasing demands on the energy grid and the need for sustainable energy practices, utilities must embrace innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by increasingly common demand periods. Peak shaving is a crucial strategy to manage demand effectively, optimize grid performance, and ensure reliable energy delivery. By implementing demand response programs and leveraging demand flexibility initiatives, utilities can take control of peak shaving, unlock the full potential operational efficiencies, drive cost savings, and move towards a more sustainable energy future for all.

About The Author

Rachel Sanford was the marketing coordinator passionate about helping fast-growing teams achieve their goals. Rachel managed the social media strategy and execution, tradeshow, and conference logistics, while driving project management for the marketing team. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dog, having brunch outdoors on a nice patio, and watching Netflix documentaries.

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