EV Glossary

Peak Shaving

Written by Åsmund Møll Frengstad | Feb 17, 2023 8:46:36 AM

What is Peak Shaving?

Peak shaving is a technique used to reduce peak energy demand during high-demand periods. It involves shifting energy consumption from peak periods to off-peak periods or reducing energy consumption during peak periods through demand response. By reducing energy consumption during peak periods, peak shaving can help to lower energy costs, ensure grid stability, and promote a more sustainable future.

Peak shaving is an important technique for energy management, especially in areas with high demand for energy, such as cities and industrial areas. By reducing the demand for energy during peak periods, peak shaving can help prevent blackouts or brownouts and promote grid stability. It can also help to reduce the cost of energy consumption, especially during high-demand periods, when energy prices can be higher.

 

Benefits of Peak Shaving in EV CHARGING

Peak shaving has several benefits for EV charging, including:

  1. Increased availability of EV charging: By reducing the cost of energy consumption during high-demand periods, peak shaving can help to increase the availability of EV charging stations. This can make it more affordable for EV infrastructure owners and operators to operate charging stations, which can make it more convenient for EV owners to charge their vehicles.

  2. Cost savings: By reducing energy consumption during peak periods, peak shaving can help to lower energy costs for EV infrastructure owners and operators. This can make it more affordable to operate EV charging stations, which can help to promote the adoption of EVs and contribute to a more sustainable future.

  3. Grid stability: By reducing the strain on the power grid during high-demand periods, peak shaving can help to ensure grid stability and prevent blackouts or brownouts. This is especially important for the EV infrastructure, which is intended to promote the use of electric vehicles as a more environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.

  4. Environmental benefits: By reducing energy consumption during high-demand periods, peak shaving can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a more sustainable future. This is especially important for the EV infrastructure, which is intended to promote the adoption of EVs as a more environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.

 

Techniques for Peak Shaving

 

Load Shifting

Load shifting involves shifting energy consumption from peak periods to off-peak periods. By using timers or smart devices,energy-intensive activities, such as laundry or cooking, can be scheduled to occur during off-peak periods, when energy prices are lower. Load shifting can help to reduce energy costs and minimize strain on the power grid during high-demand periods.

Demand Response

Demand response involves voluntarily reducing energy consumption during peak periods in response to signals from the power grid. This can be done through programs offered by utilities or through the use of smart thermostats or other energy management systems. Demand response can help to reduce energy costs and ensure grid stability during high-demand periods.

Demand response is a popular peak shaving technique that is used by utilities and commercial buildings to reduce energy consumption during peak periods. By using demand response, energy consumption can be reduced during high-demand periods, preventing blackouts or brownouts and promoting grid stability. Smart thermostats and other energy management systems can also be used to automate demand response, making it easier to implement and more effective.

Peak Shaving with Energy Storage

Peak shaving can also be achieved through the use of energy storage systems, such as batteries. Energy storage systems can be charged during off-peak periods and used to provide energy during peak periods, reducing the strain on the power grid and lowering energy costs.

Energy storage systems are becoming increasingly popular for peak shaving, especially in areas with high demand for energy. By using energy storage systems, energy can be stored during off-peak periods when energy prices are lower and used during peak periods when energy prices are higher. This can help to reduce the cost of energy consumption and promote energy efficiency.

Energy storage systems are also becoming more important for supporting the increasing demand for EV infrastructure and EV charging. By using energy storage systems to support EV charging during high-demand periods, the strain on the power grid can be reduced, preventing blackouts or brownouts and promoting grid stability.

 

EV Infrastructure and Peak Shaving

 

Peak Shaving and EV Charging

Peak shaving can help to support the increasing demand for EV charging by reducing the strain on the power grid during high-demand periods. By using load shifting or demand response techniques, EV charging can be scheduled to occur during off-peak periods, reducing the energy costs associated with charging EVs.

As more people switch to EVs, the demand for energy during high-demand periods is likely to increase, creating a need for effective peak shaving techniques. By using this technique, the cost of EV charging can be reduced and the adoption of EVs can be promoted, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Benefits of Peak Shaving for EV Infrastructure

As the demand for sustainable energy and the adoption of EVs continues to grow, peak shaving will become increasingly important for ensuring grid stability and promoting a more sustainable future. By using load shifting, demand response, or energy storage systems, peak shaving can help to lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a more sustainable future.

 

Conclusion

Peak shaving is an effective technique for reducing energy demand, promoting grid stability, and supporting the increasing demand for EV charging. By using load shifting, demand response, or energy storage systems, peak shaving can help to lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a more sustainable future.

As the demand for sustainable energy and the adoption of EVs continues to grow, peak shaving will become increasingly important for ensuring grid stability and promoting a more sustainable future. By implementing peak shaving techniques, we can reduce the strain on the power grid during high-demand periods, lower energy costs, and promote energy efficiency.

If you have more questions, please check out the rest of our glossary or get in touch.