A single 15-minute peak can double your annual grid charges — for the entire year. This calculator shows you what your current peak demand costs and how much you could save through automatic peak load management.
Your Details
Shown on your electricity bill as "Annual demand measurement" or "Maximum power"
Your average load during normal operations
Take this value from your network use-of-system invoice or your network operator's price schedule
Annual capacity costs = annual peak demand × demand charge. This is based on the network demand charge levied on the highest measured 15-minute average power of the year.
Additional costs from peak demandAdditional costs = (peak demand − operating load) × demand charge. This amount shows how much more you pay compared to your typical load — caused by short-term peaks.
Savings potentialExperience shows that automatic peak load management can eliminate 35–45% of the difference between peak and normal load. The calculator uses 40% as a conservative estimate. Actual savings depend on the load profile and the controllable consumers available.
Investment estimateThe investment is derived from the peak demand: the kW magnitude determines the typical number of metering points (main meter + controllable loads). Costs: 697 €/metering point incl. hardware (350 €/point if metering already exists) plus one-off project set-up (1,000–8,000 € depending on size).
Payback periodNet investment (after BAFA grant) ÷ annual savings potential = payback period in months.
Load comparison & capacity costs
* Estimate based on typical load profiles and a conservative reduction potential of 40% of the peak demand differential. Actual savings depend on the load profile, plant structure, and available controllable loads.
The 15-minute principle
Your network operator measures your power in 15-minute intervals. The highest value of the entire year determines your demand charge — for all 12 months. A peak caused by several machines starting simultaneously can permanently increase your grid bill.
When multiple motors, compressors, or furnaces start at the same time, short-term inrush peaks occur — often 3–6 times the rated current.
At shift changeovers, many systems are often activated at the same time. Without control, a typical "morning peak" emerges that drives up the demand charge.
Emergency runs, catch-up production after downtime, or loss of PV feed-in can unnoticed create annual peak demand events.
Alligator monitors your load in real time and intervenes automatically before a cost-driving 15-minute peak occurs.
Second-by-second measurement of total power at the grid connection point. The system continuously calculates how far you are from the 15-minute rolling average.
Before a peak occurs, controllable consumers (HVAC, pumps, EV charging, process heat) are automatically delayed or briefly reduced.
Every avoided peak demand is documented. Each month you see by how many kW your peak was reduced — and what that has concretely saved.
The demand charge (also: capacity element of network use-of-system charges) is a part of your grid bill levied not on energy consumption (kWh) but on the highest measured power demand (kW). The network operator measures your load in 15-minute intervals and multiplies the annual maximum by the demand charge in €/kW·a. Typical values: low voltage 80–150 €/kW·a, medium voltage 40–90 €/kW·a. The problem: a single peak determines the costs for the entire year.
The demand charge applies to all customers with a half-hourly (registering) meter (RLM customers). These are generally businesses with an annual consumption of around 100,000 kWh or more (from approximately 11 kW connected load) — or smaller operations that opt in. Many SMEs are unaware that a significant portion of their electricity bill consists of the capacity element — often 20–40% of network costs.
This depends strongly on how many controllable consumers are present in the facility (HVAC, pumps, compressors, EV charging infrastructure, process heat). In practice, businesses using Alligator typically achieve a reduction in annual peak demand of 15–40% compared to uncontrolled operation. The calculator uses 40% of the difference between peak and normal load as a conservative estimate.
Yes — Alligator communicates via standard protocols (Modbus, M-Bus, OPC-UA, BACnet) directly with PLC controllers, building automation systems, and smart switching actuators. Intervention occurs fully automatically, prioritised according to rules you define (e.g. reduce HVAC before process heat) and can be manually overridden at any time.
No — the rule set is defined together with you. Production-critical plant is excluded from peak load management. Interventions only affect non-critical consumers (heating, cooling, charging infrastructure) and always remain within predefined tolerance limits. The system intervenes only when a peak is imminent — and switches back immediately.
In a free initial consultation, we analyse your load profile and show you which concrete savings are realistically achievable.