Warren from Boise. Client has a consistent spike in demand charges every January that is about 40 percent higher than any other month. The facility runs the same operations year-round. The spike has happened for four consecutive years. Client thinks it is just cold weather but I am not convinced. How do you analyze a recurring demand pattern like this?
Demand charges spiking every January — pattern analysis
Mike D from Raleigh. Pull 15-minute interval data for each of the four Januaries and compare the specific day and time of the peak reading. If the spikes cluster around similar dates or times that pattern suggests a systemic cause not random weather variation.
Walt. Cold weather can drive demand spikes through HVAC electric resistance heat, pipe heat tape, and other cold-weather loads. But a 40 percent spike suggests something more than ambient temperature.
The interval data shows the peaks occurring between January 8 and January 15 each year, always between 7 and 9 AM.
Derek. A consistent 7 to 9 AM window in early January suggests a recurring operational event. Does the facility start up after a holiday shutdown during that period? All equipment starting simultaneously after a two-week shutdown would create exactly this pattern.
Yes. The facility shuts down December 24 and restarts January 8 or 9 depending on the calendar. All production equipment comes online together on restart day.
Mike D. That is the cause. Staggering the equipment startup sequence by 15 to 30 minutes per major load would spread the demand spike across multiple intervals and likely cut the January peak by 30 to 40 percent.