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PowerSmart vs Peak Demand Management?

Which one do I need?

Updated over a week ago

Emporia Energy offers two features for managing your EV Charger's energy consumption: PowerSmart and Peak Demand Management. Here's how to choose between them.

PowerSmart

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

Important notes:

  • 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

Peak Demand Management

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)

PowerSmart vs. Peak Demand Management: A Quick Comparison

Feature

PowerSmart

Peak Demand Management

Purpose

Prevent electrical overload

Avoid peak demand utility charges

Primary Focus

Total system load

Utility pricing thresholds

Devices Supported

Multiple EV Chargers

Multiple smart devices

Energy Monitor Required

Yes (Vue 1, 2 or Vue 3 with 200A CTs)

Yes (Vue 1, 2, or Vue 3 with 200A CTs)

Automatic Control

Adjusts EV Charger charge rate

Controls multiple devices based on priority

Use Case

Limited electrical panel capacity

High utility peak demand charges

Multi-EVSE Load Management vs Peak Demand Systems

PowerSmart Multi-EVSE Advantages

Real-Time Coordination: Unlike static demand management systems, PowerSmart:

  • 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 concern is keeping your home's electrical system within safe limits without upgrading your panel. May be required for local code compliance. Essential for homes with multiple EVs needing simultaneous charging.

  • Choose Peak Demand Management if your goal is to manage energy costs by avoiding peak demand pricing tiers.

Feedback and Suggestions

Our knowledge base is continuously evolving to better serve your needs. If you have any feedback or find areas where this article could be clearer, please reach out to our customer support team. Your input is invaluable in helping us refine our guides and provide the most effective information for managing your energy.

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