When several vehicles charge at the same time, they can create a peak in electricity consumption. For businesses, managing this demand is important for keeping charging operations within the site’s available electrical capacity.
What is peak demand in EV charging?
Peak demand is the highest level of electricity consumption recorded over a particular period.
For example, a workplace may experience higher demand when employees arrive and plug in their vehicles while the building is already using electricity for heating, lighting and equipment.
If charging is not coordinated, the combined demand may put pressure on the site’s electrical supply.
How can businesses manage EV charging peak demand?
There are several approaches:
- Smart charging: Schedule charging around vehicle requirements and electricity conditions.
- Dynamic load management: Adjust charger output as building electricity demand changes.
- Charging priorities: Give priority to vehicles that need to leave sooner.
- Site monitoring: Track electricity demand to understand when capacity is available.
- Energy planning: Consider charging requirements when designing or expanding infrastructure.
The right approach depends on site capacity, vehicle schedules and operational needs.
How does Electric Miles support charging and flexibility management?
Electric Miles’ emPACT CPMS supports the management of chargers, sessions and charging operations.
For sites that need to balance building demand with EV charging, Electric Miles has an integration with Charge-M8’s Libra dynamic load balancing device. Libra measures building demand in real time and shares information with emPACT over OCPP, allowing connected charger output to be adjusted to help remain within the agreed site supply limit.
Electric Miles’ SmartFlex platform also coordinates eligible EV charging for flexibility opportunities across DSO, NESO and wholesale-market activity.
Frequently asked questions
Why does EV charging increase peak demand?
Multiple vehicles charging simultaneously can add a significant electricity load to a building or site.
Can smart charging reduce peak demand?
It can shift or adjust charging to reduce simultaneous demand, depending on the system and charging requirements.
Is dynamic load management the same as peak shaving?
They are related but not identical. Dynamic load management adjusts power as demand changes, while peak shaving describes reducing the highest demand levels over a period.