What strategies can you use to negotiate better utility rates with load profile analysis?

1 What is load profile analysis?

Load profile analysis is the process of collecting and analyzing your energy consumption data over a specific period, such as a day, a week, a month, or a year. Your load profile shows how much energy you use at different times of the day and how it varies depending on factors such as weather, season, production, occupancy, and equipment. You can obtain your load profile data from your utility company, your energy management system, or a third-party service provider.

3 How can you reduce your peak demand?

Negotiating better utility rates through load profile analysis requires reducing peak demand, which is the highest amount of power drawn from the grid in a given time interval. Your utility company may charge a demand charge based on peak demand, which can be a significant portion of your energy bill. To reduce peak demand and lower the demand charge, you can improve your load factor, which is the ratio of your average demand to your peak demand. Strategies to achieve this include implementing demand response programs that adjust your load in response to price signals or grid conditions, installing energy storage systems to store excess energy during low-demand periods and discharge it during high-demand periods, using distributed generation systems such as solar panels or wind turbines to generate power on-site and reduce reliance on the grid, and implementing energy efficiency measures to reduce overall energy consumption and peak demand.

4 How can you shift your load to off-peak periods?

Negotiating better utility rates with load profile analysis can be achieved by shifting your load to off-peak periods. These are usually at night or on weekends when the energy demand and prices are lower. You could take advantage of time-of-use rates that charge different prices depending on the time of day. To shift your load, you could schedule operations or processes that are flexible or non-critical during off-peak periods, use smart devices or timers to turn off or adjust equipment or appliances during peak periods, educate employees or occupants about the benefits of shifting their load to off-peak periods, and participate in demand response programs that reward you for doing so.

6 How can you select the best rate plan for your needs?

A final strategy to negotiate better utility rates with load profile analysis is to select the best rate plan for your needs. Your utility company may offer various rate plans or tariffs that are tailored to your load profile and preferences. You can compare and evaluate these rate plans to determine which one minimizes your energy costs and maximizes your benefits. When selecting the best rate plan for you, it is important to consider factors such as your energy consumption and peak demand levels and patterns, load factor and power factor, load flexibility and responsiveness, energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, as well as your budget and risk tolerance.