Reducing electricity costs through load shifting: Intelligent load management explained simply

Why is our electricity consumption suddenly an issue?

In the past, electricity was simply always there, and it cost almost the same around the clock. Today, we are experiencing an energy transition: due to wind and solar energy, the amount of electricity in the grid fluctuates greatly. When the sun shines, there is plenty of cheap electricity. In the evening, when everyone comes home and cooks, demand rises – and with it, often the price.

Anyone who acts cleverly here can save a lot of money. The keys to this are load management and load shifting.

What is load shifting?

Load shifting simply means moving electricity consumption to times when energy is cheap or available in abundance.

• A simple example: Instead of charging the electric car immediately at 5:00 PM, when electricity prices are highest during the evening peak, the charging process automatically starts at 2:00 AM at night in the winter months or at 11:00 AM in the summer months, when the electricity price is at rock bottom and the PV system charges your electric vehicle virtually for free in summer. The car is just as full in the morning, but the costs are significantly lower.

What is load management?

Load management is the higher-level control system. It ensures that the various devices in the home or business "communicate" with each other.

• A simple example: If the heat pump is running and the stove is switched on in the kitchen at the same time, load management ensures that the EV charging station temporarily throttles its power. This prevents an expensive peak load from occurring, which would unnecessarily push up the grid tariff.

The benefits at a glance

1. Lower costs: By using dynamic electricity tariffs (purchasing at low spot market prices).
2. Reduce grid fees: Avoiding expensive peak loads (especially important for commercial enterprises).
3. Optimize self-consumption: Consuming the electricity generated by your own PV system directly when it is produced (e.g., through targeted charging of storage systems or hot water heating).

Your partner for intelligent energy solutions: M.ZEILER e.U.

The theory sounds simple, but technical implementation requires experience and the right expertise. This is where DI(FH) Meinrad Zeiler, owner of M.ZEILER e.U., comes into play.

As a long-time energy engineer as well as a proven PV and storage specialist, he addresses precisely these complex load topics. Whether it is a single-family home, your company building, an EV charging park, a district heating plant, or complex commercial spaces: M.ZEILER e.U. implements efficient and optimized system management tailored exactly to your individual requirements.

The best part: You receive customized solutions directly from Styria – flexible and ready for projects throughout Austria.

Bring intelligence to your energy supply as well and sustainably reduce your operating costs. Feel free to contact us for a non-binding consultation!