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.
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
PowerSmart vs. Peak Demand Management: A Quick Comparison
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.
Note: You can use both features simultaneously. PowerSmart will take precedence when necessary to maintain electrical safety, while Peak Demand Management will help optimize costs when panel capacity allows.
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.