Load Shifting and Time-of-use (TOU)

Benefits of Load Shifting

The price of energy fluctuates throughout the day, and peaks when demand for energy is at its highest (typically in the late afternoon and evening). SmartShift Rewards helps even out the demand for energy, sending signals to your water heater to heat water at off-peak times, and reducing energy consumption during periods of peak demand.

An illustration of the effects of load shifting on the environment and power grid.

HELP IMPROVE GRID RELIABILITY

Making small shifts to when energy is used helps balance power use and can help improve grid reliability.

REDUCE STRAIN ON THE GRID

Shifting to off-peak times helps utilities avoid the need to fire up “peaker plants”, or to purchase energy from other sources, both of which can be costly to consumers and often come from less environmentally-friendly sources.

USE RENEWABLE ENERGY

Shifting some energy usage can take advantage of excess energy generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, which are abundant during the middle of the day.

An illustration of the effects of load shifting on the environment and power grid.

HELP IMPROVE GRID RELIABILITY

Making small shifts to when energy is used helps balance power use and can help improve grid reliability.

REDUCE STRAIN ON THE GRID

Shifting to off-peak times helps utilities avoid the need to fire up “peaker plants”, or to purchase energy from other sources, both of which can be costly to consumers and often come from less environmentally-friendly sources.

USE RENEWABLE ENERGY

Shifting some energy usage can take advantage of excess energy generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, which are abundant during the middle of the day.

Time-of-use (TOU)

SmartShift Rewards helps reduce demand on the grid during peak times when the cost of energy is higher. SmartShift Rewards requires you to be on or enroll in an SCE Time-Of-Use rate plan. Time-Of-Use rate plans give you flexibility and access to energy prices that are lower during off-peak times of the day.

An illustration depicting Time-Of-Use as a bell curve with the most expensive times being between midday and sunset.

Time-of-use (TOU)

An illustration depicting Time-Of-Use as a bell curve with the most expensive times being between midday and sunset.

SmartShift Rewards helps reduce demand on the grid during peak times when the cost of energy is higher. SmartShift Rewards requires you to be on or enroll in an SCE Time-Of-Use rate plan. Time-Of-Use rate plans give you flexibility and access to energy prices that are lower during off-peak times of the day.