peakbelastning

Peakbelastning (Swedish for peak load) is the highest level of electrical demand or consumption observed in a system during a specified period, such as an hour, day, or season. It is a point on the load curve distinct from average demand and is used for planning, capacity procurement, and tariff design. In electrical grids, peakbelastning is measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW) and is often reported as the maximum observed over a defined interval (hourly or sub-hourly).

Causes include extreme weather, calendar effects, economic activity, and modernization such as electrification of heating, cooling, and transport. The existence of peakbelastning influences system reliability and investment, requiring enough generation capacity, transmission, and resilience, and can affect energy prices during peak periods. Utilities may apply peak demand charges for customers who contribute to high peaks, and wholesale prices reflect peak costs in price formation.

Management strategies such as peak shaving and demand response aim to reduce or shift peakbelastning by encouraging lower or shifted consumption during peak periods, using dynamic pricing or direct load control. Energy storage, efficiency improvements, and distributed generation can also flatten the load curve. The concept is closely related to load curves, load factor, and demand-side management.