Peak Shaving with Battery Storage

Detect power spikes, cap peak loads and sustainably reduce grid fees. With BESS you respond in milliseconds and keep grid consumption within limits.

What Is Peak Shaving?

Peak shaving means deliberately reducing the highest power peaks in electricity consumption. Industrial electricity customers pay grid fees based on the highest measured 15-minute power peak per month or year.

Individual short spikes, for example from simultaneous machine startups, charging processes or refrigeration systems, drive grid costs disproportionately higher. A battery energy storage system (BESS) detects these peaks in real time and discharges precisely to keep grid consumption below a defined threshold.

15-Minute Measurement

Grid operators measure power in 15-minute intervals. The highest measured peak determines grid fees for the entire billing period. A single uncontrolled spike can drive up costs for months.

Load Profile Without Peak Shaving Threshold Spike Spike Spike kW Daily Profile Peak loads above threshold = high grid fees

Capacity Tariff 2026: Why Peak Shaving Is Becoming More Important

With the Swiss Energy Act revision (Mantelerlass), the capacity tariff for large consumers becomes explicit and measurable. The new tariff structure strengthens the demand-based component of grid fees. This means the highest measured 15-minute peak has an even more direct impact on the electricity bill.

For companies with variable load profiles, which includes virtually all industrial and commercial operations, peak shaving becomes a key financial lever. Whoever reduces their peaks, reduces their grid costs proportionally.

What Changes Specifically?

The demand-based grid fee component gains weight. Companies that previously paid primarily by energy consumption (kWh) will be charged more heavily by power peaks (kW). A single spike can significantly increase grid costs.

Load Profile With Peak Shaving (BESS) Threshold BESS caps BESS caps BESS caps kW Daily Profile Green area = power covered by BESS

Three Benefits at a Glance

20–50%

Peak Load Reduction

BESS detects power spikes in real time and discharges precisely. The measured 15-minute peak drops by 20–50%, depending on the load profile and storage dimensioning.

up to 70%

Grid Fee Savings

Grid fees are based on the highest measured power peak. Lower peak demand means directly lower grid costs. Particularly effective with the new capacity tariff in force since 2026.

ms

BESS Response Time

Battery storage responds to load increases in milliseconds. Faster than any conventional solution. The peak is capped before it affects the 15-minute measurement interval.

How Peak Shaving Works with BESS

01

Monitoring

The energy management system (EMS) monitors grid consumption in real time. It knows your load profile, the defined threshold, and the current state of charge of the storage system.

02

Detection

As soon as the power consumption threatens to exceed the threshold, the EMS detects the rise within milliseconds and prepares the discharge.

03

Discharge

The battery storage discharges precisely, covering the difference between the threshold and actual demand. Grid consumption stays below the defined limit.

04

Measurement Period

The 15-minute measurement period ends with a lower peak value. The storage recharges during low-load periods and is ready for the next spike.

Who Benefits from Peak Shaving?

Manufacturing & Industry

Machine startups, furnaces, presses and compressors create extreme power spikes. BESS smooths the load profile automatically without interfering with the production process.

Logistics & E-Mobility

Simultaneous charging of electric trucks or forklifts causes high power peaks. BESS buffers the charging power and keeps grid consumption within limits.

Cooling Systems & Data Centres

Refrigeration units and server infrastructure have variable load profiles with short, intense spikes. BESS reacts in milliseconds and protects against costly demand peaks.

Commercial Sites & Business Parks

Multiple consumers on a site share the grid connection. BESS optimises total load and avoids expensive grid expansion.

Find detailed explanations of all use cases on our Use Cases page.

Is peak shaving right for your facility?

Together we assess whether and how much your peak loads can be reduced with a BESS.

Or directly:

Headquarters

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Branch Office

Rue des Moulins 51
2000 Neuchâtel
30 minutes, free & non-binding. Online via Microsoft Teams.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Peak shaving means deliberately reducing the highest power peaks in electricity consumption. A battery energy storage system (BESS) detects impending peaks in real time and discharges to keep grid consumption below a defined threshold. The goal: lower the highest measured 15-minute power peak and thereby reduce grid fees.

With the Swiss Energy Act revision (Mantelerlass), the capacity tariff for large consumers is now explicit and measurable. Grid fees are based more heavily on the highest measured 15-minute power peak. Every uncontrolled spike costs money directly. A BESS typically reduces these peaks by 20–50%.

The dimensioning depends on the load profile, frequency and height of peaks, and the desired capping target. Typical systems range from 0.5–10 MW power and 0.5–20 MWh capacity. NRG Solutions analyses your load profile and dimensions the storage accordingly. A free initial consultation clarifies the key parameters.

Yes. A BESS can simultaneously perform peak shaving, self-consumption optimisation, ancillary services (frequency regulation), and arbitrage. The intelligent control system automatically prioritises the most economically beneficial application, accelerating the return on investment.

No. In addition to the classic purchase model (INVEST model), NRG Solutions also offers a RENTAL model. NRG finances, builds and operates the storage system. You benefit from day one without capital investment. Revenue sharing is arranged transparently.

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