Electricity consumers, consumption peaks represent a significant financial burden
At KBH Energy a.s., we understand that for large electricity consumers, consumption peaks represent a significant financial burden. Energy companies often set maximum values for quarter-hourly (or hourly) consumption, known as reserved capacity. If a customer exceeds this value, they may face high penalties or pay a higher tariff. However, there is an effective solution to prevent these sanctions and optimize costs.
Intelligent Consumption Regulation: How it Works?
A modular electricity consumption regulator is designed to monitor quarter-hourly (or hourly) maximum consumption and allows for managing consumption to prevent exceeding the agreed power limit. It can also monitor multiple quantities, such as active and reactive consumption, and store measured data.
The operating principle is smart and dynamic:
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The regulator continuously monitors the amount of energy consumed from the beginning of the current integration period (quarter-hour or hour) using pulses from electricity meters.
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It also knows the time remaining until the end of the period and, based on the set control curve (ideal uniform power draw), estimates how much energy will be consumed by the end of the period.
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If the calculation algorithm determines that, at the current trend, consumption would exceed the permitted maximum, the regulator automatically intervenes: it increases the regulation level and gradually disconnects one or more lower-priority appliances.
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Disconnection occurs gradually, with set steps and delays, so that the regulation is not unnecessarily drastic. Priority groups of appliances are disconnected one by one until equilibrium is reached.
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If consumption decreases during the period and a reserve is created, the regulator can reconnect some disconnected circuits before the end of the period. At the beginning of each new period, all circuits are reconnected, and the cycle repeats.
This ensures that the average consumption within the given interval does not exceed the set limit, leading to significant savings on fixed payments for reserved capacity.
Key Features and Expansion Options
This type of regulator is robust and offers a range of technical parameters for effective management:
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Inputs: It typically features several active pulse inputs for connecting main and auxiliary electricity meters (e.g., for reactive energy or partial circuits) and for a quarter-hour synchronization signal. It can be extended with tens to hundreds of additional inputs, allowing it to monitor non-electrical quantities, such as water or gas flow, using external converters.
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Outputs: The basic module typically provides several relay outputs (changeover contacts) for controlling loads. The number of outputs can be expanded using external command modules, often up to several tens, which allows controlling many regulation levels.
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Display and Control: It is equipped with a graphic backlit LCD display for showing current values and states, such as instantaneous power, the progress of the quarter-hour (consumption curve trend), or the time remaining until the end of the period. There is also a control keypad on the front panel for local parameter settings and record retrieval.
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Communication Interface: It offers communication channels, such as an RS485 interface for connection to a computer or other modules. Although it uses a proprietary protocol, software is available for parametrization, record downloading, and online data monitoring. Communication can also be extended via USB, RS232, Ethernet (using converters), or wirelessly via radiomodem or telephone modem for remote data transmission.
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Memory and Records: It records consumption profiles into internal memory for statistical purposes and control. Modern versions store historical data for up to 200 days of operation (quarter-hourly values). Data is stored in non-volatile memory, ensuring data retention for many years even without power.
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Real-Time Clock (RTC): The internal clock circuit for quarter-hour timing is backed up by a battery or supercapacitor, which maintains the clock's operation for tens of hours during a power outage. It also supports automatic daylight saving time changes.
Practical Use and Savings
These regulators are used to monitor and control peak electricity consumption for larger consumers, such as industrial enterprises, commercial buildings, or large complexes. Typical candidates for disconnectable loads include:
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Electric accumulation heating (boilers, electric boilers)
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Large HVAC units and air conditioning (if they can be temporarily limited)
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Refrigeration and compressors
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Heat pump circulators
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Certain production technologies with flexible cycles
It is important that critical systems (e.g., medical facilities, essential IT technologies, lighting) are not included in the regulation to avoid jeopardizing operation.
System Integration and Comparison
Consumption regulators are designed as independent autonomous devices that are compatible with pulse outputs from standard electricity meters (S0 interface). For communication with supervisory systems, such as SCADA or Building Management Systems (BMS), they utilize the RS485 interface. For full integration with BMS systems, if a sophisticated measurement and control system is available, it is often necessary to program the maximum control algorithm directly in the BMS.
Compared to some alternative solutions on the market, this type of regulator excels primarily in modularity and expandability (the ability to add many inputs/outputs and supplementary modules). The graphic display and local control on the front panel also facilitate operation directly at the distribution board. It is a proven product with long-term development and stable operation.
While some competing devices may offer more modern communication interfaces (e.g., built-in Ethernet with a web interface) directly in the device, with this type of regulator, such a solution is implemented externally using converters. There are also simpler and cheaper devices on the market, but they lack advanced features such as expansion with additional relays or a graphic display. Solutions based on PLC/BMS systems offer high flexibility but require expert setup and programming, whereas specialized units are ready for immediate use after parametrization.
At KBH Energy a.s., we believe that investing in an intelligent electricity consumption regulator typically pays for itself quickly through cost savings on exceeded maximums, making it a reliable tool for effective energy management.