--- title: "DSM techniques for controlling peak demand" subject: "Utilization of Electrical Energy" chapter: 6 key: "semester_7/utilization_of_electrical_energy:dsm-techniques-peak-demand" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/utilization_of_electrical_energy/dsm-techniques-peak-demand site: BCT Engineering --- # DSM techniques for controlling peak demand Utilization of Electrical Energy · Chapter 6: Demand Side Management - Asked in: 2080 Baisakh, 4 marks - Video: [Electrical Load Management and Maximum Demand Control - Energy Management of Electrical System](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTpfta1tztU) — Ekeeda - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/utilization_of_electrical_energy/dsm-techniques-peak-demand - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/utilization_of_electrical_energy/chapter-6 ## Question Explain demand side management techniques used for controlling peak demand. ## Short answer Techniques include peak clipping (direct load control), load shifting (moving loads to off-peak hours), time-of-day pricing (higher peak rates), demand response, energy storage, and efficient appliances. These flatten the load curve and reduce peak demand. ## Answer Demand side management techniques for **controlling peak demand** aim to reduce or move the load that occurs at the system peak (evening hours in Nepal). ```text Load peak clipping load shifting valley filling | ___ ___ --> ___ | /cut\ / \ later / \ +fill |____/ \___ __/ \___ __/ \__/ +--------------- time ``` 1. **Peak clipping:** direct reduction of load at peak by the utility, e.g. remote switching off of water heaters, pumps or air conditioners (direct load control), or interruptible supply for large consumers. 2. **Load shifting:** moving flexible loads from peak to off-peak hours, e.g. industries running arc furnaces, crushers or pumps at night; water pumping and EV charging at night. 3. **Valley filling:** encouraging new loads in off-peak periods so that the load curve is flatter and peak share falls. 4. **Time-of-day (ToD) and critical-peak pricing:** higher rates at peak make consumers reduce peak use voluntarily. 5. **Demand response programmes:** consumers reduce load on utility signal in return for incentives. 6. **Energy storage:** batteries or thermal storage charge off-peak and supply at peak. 7. **Energy-efficient appliances:** LED lighting and efficient motors reduce evening peak, which in Nepal is mostly lighting and cooking. 8. **Maximum demand control:** demand controllers or load limiters at the consumer end trip non-essential loads when demand approaches a set limit. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. How does peak clipping reduce peak demand? A. Adding load at night B. Increasing total sales C. Moving load to peak D. Direct reduction of load at peak, e.g. remote switching of water heaters or pumps Answer: D. Utility direct load control cuts peak load. (Key point: Peak clipping) 2. What is load shifting? A. Moving flexible loads from peak to off-peak hours B. Reducing total energy C. Adding new off-peak load only D. Raising peak Answer: A. Examples are furnaces, crushers and pumps at night. (Key point: Load shifting) 3. How do ToD and critical-peak prices control peak? A. They disconnect consumers B. Higher peak rates make consumers reduce peak use voluntarily C. They increase peak use D. They apply only to domestic lamps Answer: B. Price signals change behaviour. 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