Peak Demand and Load Management

Cut demand charges by controlling peak kW with operational tactics first—then controls—then hardware if needed.

CollectionCore

Why Peak Demand Matters

Many buildings don't have an "energy cost problem." They have a peak demand problem.

If demand charges are meaningful, a few peak events can drive a large share of your bill. The result:

  • Utility costs feel unpredictable
  • "Efficiency projects" don't deliver expected savings
  • New loads (EV charging, electrification) create sudden cost spikes

This collection gives you a beginner-safe system to: confirm whether demand is the driver, identify peak windows and likely causes, reduce peak kW without breaking comfort or operations, and decide if metering and controls are worth it.

What Peak Demand Is (Plain English)

Peak demand is the highest power draw (kW) you hit during a billing period.

Utilities often charge you for that peak because it drives grid capacity needs.

Energy (kWh)

How much you used

Demand (kW)

How high your "spike" was

If your bill has "demand charges," this collection applies.

Start Here (Best Order)

If you are new, follow this sequence:

  1. 1Confirm demand charges matter (baseline bill math)
  2. 2Set a realistic peak reduction target (small wins first)
  3. 3Identify peak windows/drivers (interval data if possible)
  4. 4Implement operational tactics (sequencing, schedules, EV caps)
  5. 5Measure results and iterate (compare before/after)
  6. 6Decide on metering/controls (only if operational path is insufficient)

If You Only Do One Thing

Run one site through a 30-day peak reduction experiment:

  • Set a peak target (kW)
  • Implement 2–3 operational tactics
  • Measure peak kW before/after

That alone will tell you whether peak management is worth scaling. Start with the Peak Demand Management + Load Shifting Playbook.

Bundles Included

Peak Demand Bundle

A step-by-step implementation path to reduce peak kW and demand charges.

1 day setup + 30 days execution

All Peak Demand Resources

1

Onsite Solar + Storage Feasibility and Execution Kit

Screen sites, choose the right business model, and execute a project that can be operated and proven (not engineering advice).

Guide
90 min
2

EV Charging Strategy + Metering + Billing Kit

Decide why you're deploying EV charging, where it goes, how it's metered, and how billing works (beginner-friendly).

Guide
90 min
3

Peak Demand Management + Load Shifting Playbook

Reduce demand charges by controlling peaks, smoothing loads, and shifting flexible usage (beginner-friendly, not engineering advice).

Playbook
60 min
4

Energy Tariff and Rate Optimization Playbook

Reduce utility costs by ensuring each account is on the right rate plan and you're not paying avoidable charges.

Playbook
45 min
5

Metering Strategy Playbook

Move from allocation to measurement: what to meter, where, and how to justify it.

Playbook
1 hour

Tools and Calculators (Ungated)

Blended Electricity Rate and Demand Share Calculator

Confirm whether demand is a meaningful driver at the site.

Demand Charge Savings Estimator

Estimate savings from reducing peak kW (helps justify time, controls, and metering).

EV Charging Load and Peak Risk Planner

Model EV charging peak risk and identify control strategies.

Metering ROI Quick Model

Directional payback view for metering/controls based on demand savings potential.

Templates You Can Copy (High-Use)

These templates are designed to be copied directly into your operating trackers.

1. Peak Event Log (Starter)

| Site | Peak date | Peak time window | Peak kW | Suspected driver | Action taken | Owner | Result | Evidence link |
|---|---|---|---:|---|---|---|---|---|

2. Peak Target Plan (One Page)

Peak Target Plan

Site:
Baseline peak kW:
Demand rate ($/kW-month):
Target reduction (kW):
Estimated savings ($/month, $/year):

Likely drivers:
- 1)
- 2)
- 3)

Tactics (operational first):
- 1)
- 2)
- 3)

Owner:
Start date:
Measurement approach (bill peak vs interval peak):
Guardrails (comfort/safety/uptime):

3. Interval Data Request Email

Subject: Request: interval usage data export — Account [#], Period [start–end]

Hello,
Please provide interval usage data for account [#] for period [start–end].
Preferred format: CSV.
Please include:
- interval length (15-min/hourly)
- timestamps
- usage (kWh per interval) and/or demand (kW)

Thanks,
[Name]

4. 30-Day Peak Experiment Checklist

30-Day Peak Experiment Checklist

Week 1
- Confirm demand charges matter (baseline metrics)
- Set peak target and guardrails
- Identify likely peak drivers

Week 2
- Implement 1–2 scheduling/sequencing tactics
- Start peak event log

Week 3
- Add one additional tactic (if needed)
- Review peak events and refine

Week 4
- Measure outcomes vs baseline
- Decide: scale operations / pursue metering / pursue controls

Common Mistakes (Avoid These)

  • Trying to reduce demand without interval data (possible, but harder)
  • Installing hardware before fixing schedules and sequencing
  • Chasing peak reduction by sacrificing comfort/safety (creates backlash and reversion)
  • Confusing kWh reduction with kW reduction (different problem)
  • Ignoring tariff features (ratchets and demand windows can change outcomes)
  • Not assigning an owner (peak management becomes "nobody's job")

What to Do Next

Pick the next collection based on your goal:

Scope 2 Electricity (Made Simple)

If you need clean emissions reporting and evidence discipline.

Leased Assets Collection

If tenant utilities and shared meters complicate measurement.

Back to Run the Operation

Change log

v1.0 (2026-01): Latest release