“Peak-hour power” refers to the amount of electrical energy consumed during peak hours when the demand for electricity is higher than at other times of the day. This is important for electricity companies as it helps size the infrastructure needed to meet these demand peaks.
How peak-hour power is calculated:
- Identification of Peak Hours: First, it’s necessary to identify peak hours, which can vary depending on the region and the sector. Peak hours typically occur during the day when most businesses and residences are in full operation. For example, it could be from 5 PM to 8 PM in a residential area and from 9 AM to 5 PM in a commercial or industrial area.
- Measurement of Consumption: The electricity company monitors electricity consumption during these peak hours. This is done using smart meters or other advanced measuring technologies.
- Calculation of Maximum Demand: Peak-hour power is usually calculated based on the maximum demand recorded during peak hours. This means that the peak consumption during a specific period is identified and recorded.
- Billing: In some cases, businesses and residences may be billed based on the maximum demand recorded during peak hours, which encourages consumers to better manage their consumption during these periods.
How to improve peak-hour power:
- Energy Efficiency: An effective way to improve peak-hour power is to implement energy efficiency measures. This includes using more efficient equipment, proper insulation in buildings, energy management systems, efficient lighting, and energy conservation practices.
- Load Management: Businesses and consumers can implement load management systems that automatically adjust energy use during peak hours. This can include scheduling equipment to operate during periods of lower demand or using energy storage.
- Distributed Generation: Distributed generation, such as solar or wind energy on buildings, can reduce grid demand during peak hours by providing electricity locally.
- Smart Tariffs: Electricity companies can implement differential tariffs that encourage consumers to use less energy during peak hours by making it more expensive during these periods.
- Energy Storage: Energy storage, such as batteries, can be used to reduce grid demand during peak hours by storing energy when it’s cheaper and releasing it when demand is high.
- Demand Control: Businesses and residences can avoid activities that consume a lot of energy during peak hours, such as turning on multiple high-power appliances simultaneously.
Improving peak-hour power not only helps reduce electricity costs for consumers but also eases the strain on electrical infrastructure and contributes to the overall stability of the system.