Sustainability · Defined
Peak demand
The highest rate of energy use over a defined measurement interval or billing period, commonly expressed as electrical power.
Why it matters
Demand and total consumption are different measures. Reducing annual energy use does not necessarily reduce the highest billing-period demand.
In practice
A project example
Several large systems starting together create a demand peak even if their total daily runtime is modest.
General educational guidance from KOW Building Consultants. Examples are illustrative, not project records. The applicable contract, standard, program, and jurisdiction control the requirements for a specific assignment.