What is load management?
Load management describes the management or targeted control of energy consumption. Loads or energy consumption should be shifted in time so that the desired goals are achieved. These include cost reductions, relief for the electricity grid or better utilisation of renewable energies.
Depending on the objective, different control logics or load management types are used. In practice, a distinction is made between 3 main types of load management:
System-orientated load management (demand-side management)
With demand-side load management (also: demand-side management or grid-oriented load management), the focus is on stabilising and relieving the electricity grid. In this context, "system-orientated" means that energy consumption should be shifted as far as possible so that the grid load is reduced.
Energy consumption is specifically shifted from periods with:
- high electricity demand
- low generation availability
- grid bottlenecks
to periods with
- low demand
- high electricity availability
- high feed-in of renewable energies
shifted.
In the course of the energy transition, this form of load management is becoming significantly more important, particularly due to the fluctuating feed-in from renewable energy sources.
Participation in balancing power markets (e.g. FCR, aFRR, mFRR), which can be used to market flexibility to stabilise grid frequency and voltage, is a key component of system-based load management. Since the introduction of Redispatch 2.0, consumption plants have also been actively included in congestion management.
Market-orientated load management
Market-oriented load management aims to optimise electricity costs through flexible energy use. Energy consumption should be shifted to time windows with low electricity prices.
Typical measures:
- Utilisation of day-ahead and intraday electricity prices
- Adjustment of consumption to favourable market times
- Use of energy management systems (EMS) to analyse, optimise and control energy flows
- Digital and automated control of systems and consumers
Due to increasing digitalisation and the expansion of smart meters, this form of load management is becoming increasingly important for companies and industry.
Peak load management
Peak load management is used to reduce peak loads in electricity consumption. The aim is to avoid high demand charges and grid fees.
Measures in peak load management:
- Postponement of energy-intensive processes
- Avoidance of simultaneous load peaks
- Utilisation of self-generation systems (e.g. PV, CHP)
- Use of battery storage systems to cap peak loads
Consistent electricity consumption leads to lower energy costs and better grid utilisation.