Glossary · Energy and utilities automation
Load management
Also known as: Demand-side management, Demand response
German: Lastmanagement
In energy management, load management is the deliberate control of electrical loads, by shifting, reducing or switching them, to limit peak demand, use cheaper or more available energy, or support grid stability.
- Energy
In one sentence
Load management controls electrical loads by shifting, reducing or switching them to limit peak demand, lower costs or support the grid.
Example
The load management system delays the start of the second melting furnace until the first has reached holding mode, so the plant stays below its contracted peak.
How it applies
- Engineering: Loads are classified by priority and flexibility; the control system or an energy management platform switches or modulates them based on measured demand, tariffs or grid signals.
- Operation: Load management must not interrupt processes in an unsafe or damaging way; each switchable load needs defined limits and restart behavior.
- Safety: Loads that support safety, such as ventilation, extraction or cooling of hazardous processes, must be excluded or handled so that the safety function is preserved.
- Documentation: Machine documentation should state whether a machine can be shed or throttled, how it reacts to external load signals and how it restarts. The load management concept should list priorities and excluded loads.
Load management vs. peak shaving
Load management is the general practice of controlling loads. Peak shaving is one specific goal: reducing the highest demand peaks, by load control or on-site generation or storage.