Peak Shaving
Peak shaving is a common strategy in the energy industry where companies reduce their electricity usage during high-demand periods. Think of it like managing traffic flow - instead of everyone using lots of power at the same time (which is expensive), companies use batteries or other energy storage systems to save power during off-peak times and use it when demand is high. This helps businesses save money on energy bills and makes the power grid more stable. You might see this term used alongside concepts like 'demand response' or 'load management.'
Examples in Resumes
Implemented Peak Shaving solutions that reduced client energy costs by 30%
Designed Peak Shaving and Load Management systems for industrial facilities
Led team in developing Peak Shaving strategies using battery storage systems
Typical job title: "Energy Storage Engineers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Energy Storage Engineers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a peak shaving strategy for a large manufacturing facility?
Expected Answer: A strong answer should cover analyzing energy usage patterns, choosing appropriate storage solutions, calculating ROI, and implementing monitoring systems. They should mention considering factors like utility rates, production schedules, and available technologies.
Q: What factors do you consider when sizing an energy storage system for peak shaving?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that discuss analyzing historical power consumption, understanding peak demand charges, evaluating facility operations, and calculating optimal battery size for maximum cost savings.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Can you explain how peak shaving helps reduce energy costs?
Expected Answer: Should explain how reducing power usage during peak periods leads to lower demand charges, and how energy storage systems can shift energy use to lower-cost periods.
Q: What monitoring systems would you use to track peak shaving effectiveness?
Expected Answer: Should discuss energy management systems, data collection methods, and ways to measure and verify energy savings and system performance.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is peak shaving and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic concept of reducing peak power usage and its benefits for cost savings and grid stability.
Q: What types of energy storage systems are used for peak shaving?
Expected Answer: Should mention common solutions like batteries, thermal storage, and other energy storage technologies used to reduce peak demand.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of energy consumption patterns
- Familiarity with energy storage technologies
- Knowledge of utility rate structures
- Basic data analysis skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Energy system design and implementation
- Project management experience
- Energy monitoring and analysis
- ROI calculations and cost analysis
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex energy system optimization
- Strategic energy planning
- Team leadership and client management
- Advanced financial analysis
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic electrical concepts
- Lack of experience with energy monitoring systems
- Unable to explain cost-saving calculations
- No knowledge of utility rate structures
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Cutting HR Costs Without Sacrificing Quality: A How-To for Savvy Executives
Supercharge Your Candidate Screening: 7 Unorthodox Ways to Hire Faster Without Breaking a Sweat
Unlocking Team Potential: Personality Mapping for Dynamic Management
