Peak Shaving
If your business pays extra whenever it draws more than its agreed power, Peak Shaving uses the battery to keep grid import below your agreed power, block by block, and only then thinks about saving or earning money.
In every 15-minute step SEMS applies the lower of the block's agreed power and the site import limit, and the battery steps in as soon as import approaches it. SEMS also forecasts how much energy the coming peaks need and has it ready in time, from solar surplus or, if you allow it, cheaper grid periods, with a margin for a cloudier day.
Loads the forecast can't know about
For loads the history can't predict, such as an extra shift or a new machine, add a Start time, End time and Expected load (kW) under Projected load overrides, optionally for chosen weekdays. SEMS plans with your number in that window; windows may cross midnight, and overlaps use the higher load. This section is visible in Simple mode too.
Settings in Advanced mode
These are in the Strategy tuning panel, with one value per block from Block 1 to Block 5 for the caps.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Grid import cap (% per block) | The share of the allowed import SEMS aims for. At 100 % or empty it only removes what goes above the allowance; 0 % holds import near zero. The full allowance stays the hard limit. |
| Grid charging cap (% per block) | How much of the allowed import grid charging may use at a normal price. Empty or 0 % turns it off. SEMS may exceed it to protect the hard limit, and fills up to it at negative prices. |
| Morning reserve SoC (%) and Reserve ready by (local hour) | The level the battery should reach by that hour, charged in the cheapest periods. A real peak may still use it. |
| Cover load from spare reserve | Uses energy the coming peaks don't need in expensive hours, only when it can be bought back cheaper before the next peak. Shaving energy is never lent out. |
When there is energy to spare
SEMS can sell energy the coming peaks don't need when that pays, but only above the morning reserve, or above 50 % if none is set.
What you need
A meter at the grid connection, and your agreed power per block on the Electricity Plan as TB1 import (kW) to TB5 import (kW), with Contract grid import (kW) for the site. Peak Shaving works within Allow grid charging and Allow battery grid export.
What it can't do
A battery can only shave a peak it has the power and energy for. Larger excesses are recorded, and the Strategy page warns when a forecast step can't stay under the cap, which shows when the battery or agreed power should be reviewed.
Without a peak power charge, Self-Sufficiency or Savings is usually the better choice.