Peak shaving: saving costs and enabling growth in times of grid congestion

Why peaks are expensive

The problem often does not lie in total energy consumption, but in the short periods when large amounts of power are needed at the same time. Think of multiple trucks charging simultaneously or a cooling installation running temporarily at full power. Grid operators pass these peaks on to companies through peak surcharges, the so‑called kW‑max costs.

Example

• Suppose a company experiences monthly peaks of up to 800 kW.
• With a 300 kW / 600 kWh battery, that peak can be reduced to 500 kW.
• The 300 kW difference no longer has to be charged by the grid operator.

Savings from peak shaving
At a network tariff of around €3.71 per kW per month, this results in:
300 kW × €3.71 × 12 months = €13,356 per year.
The exact saving varies depending on the grid operator and type of connection, but this example shows how peak shaving delivers immediate annual cost reductions.

Peak shaving as a solution to grid congestion

An even more pressing scenario involves companies wanting to expand or add charging capacity but unable to secure more contracted capacity due to grid congestion. In some regions, upgrading may not be possible for 10 years. In the meantime, exceeding the contracted capacity (GTV) can lead to the following:

• Exceeding the GTV is prohibited.

• The grid operator monitors usage and sends warnings.

• Repeated violations result in financial penalties.

Peak shaving ensures power usage is smartly managed and always remains within the GTV. This enables businesses to expand – for example with new charging infrastructure – without waiting for grid upgrades and without the risk of fines.

Case study: charging infrastructure at a logistics hub

Imagine a logistics centre that wants to install two chargers of 200 kW each. Without a battery, this adds a 400 kW peak demand at the end of the day, when trucks return and charge. This leads to:

• Higher peak costs, as contracted capacity has to be increased.

• Extra pressure on the grid, with the risk of GTV violations.

With a battery, multiple value streams are created:

• Peak shaving / cost savings: peaks are reduced, lowering network costs (see earlier example).

• Self‑consumption & optimisation: surplus solar generated during the day can be stored in the battery and used later to charge e‑trucks. This boosts solar utilisation and reduces grid dependency.

• Additional income via certificates: by maximising self‑consumption from solar power, more HBE certificates (soon to be replaced by EREs) can be obtained, creating added revenue.

This shows how peak shaving is not just a way to avoid costs, but also a means to strengthen the business case for sustainability. Want to know what peak shaving could deliver for your business? Our experts are ready to build a tailored business case for your organisation.