Emporia Energy offers two distinct features for managing your EV Charger's energy consumption: PowerSmart and Peak Demand Management. While both help optimize energy usage, they serve different purposes and solve different problems. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right solution—or use both together—for optimal energy management.
PowerSmart
Purpose: Prevents your home's electrical system from exceeding supply limitations by dynamically adjusting EV Charger rates across single or multiple chargers.
Ideal for you if:
You have limited electrical service capacity (100A or 200A panels) and want to avoid service upgrades
You regularly use multiple high-consumption appliances alongside your EV Charger(s)
You want to charge at the highest possible rate without exceeding panel limits
You have multiple EVs that need intelligent load balancing
Key Features:
Requires an Emporia Energy Monitor (Vue 2 or Vue 3)
Can manage multiple EV Chargers with PowerSmart capability
Monitors main service lines for total panel capacity management
Automatically adjusts charging rates in real-time based on home energy usage
Peak Demand Management
Purpose: Helps avoid costly utility charges by staying below peak demand pricing thresholds.
Ideal for you if:
Your utility charges are based on peak demand
You want to automate energy savings during high consumption periods
You have multiple smart devices connected to your Emporia system
Key Features:
Supports multiple connected devices (EV Chargers, Smart Plugs, Thermostats)
Allows prioritization of devices when approaching peak demand thresholds
Requires an Emporia Energy Monitor (Vue 2 or Vue 3 with 200A CTs)
Manages energy use to avoid triggering higher utility rate tiers
Quick Comparison
Multi-EVSE Load Management vs Peak Demand Systems
PowerSmart Multi-EVSE Advantages:
Unlike static demand management systems, PowerSmart provides real-time coordination:
Continuously adjusts power between multiple Chargers in real-time
Responds instantly to changes in home electrical demand
Optimizes charging efficiency across all connected EVSEs
Intelligent vs Simple Load Management:
Traditional Peak Demand Management:
Simple on/off control during peak periods
Treats all loads equally
No coordination between multiple devices
Fixed time-based restrictions
PowerSmart Multi-EVSE Management:
Dynamic power allocation based on actual electrical capacity
Seamless coordination between multiple Chargers
Proportional power sharing based on charger capabilities
Continuous optimization rather than binary on/off control
Which Should You Choose?
Choose PowerSmart if:
Your primary concern is keeping your home's electrical system within safe limits without upgrading your panel
You need to comply with local electrical code requirements
You have multiple EVs needing simultaneous charging
You want to maximize charging speed without exceeding panel capacity
Choose Peak Demand Management if:
Your primary goal is to manage energy costs by avoiding peak demand pricing tiers
Your utility bills you based on peak demand
You want to coordinate multiple smart devices to stay under demand thresholds
You need flexibility in device prioritization
Use Both Together:
You can use both features simultaneously for comprehensive energy management:
PowerSmart will take precedence when necessary to maintain electrical safety
Peak Demand Management will help optimize costs when panel capacity allows
Together, they provide complete protection against both panel overload and high utility charges
Feedback and Suggestions
This knowledge base is continuously evolving to provide comprehensive support for managing your energy effectively. If you found this article unhelpful or think it could be improved, please contact our Customer Support team.