The electrical load factor (also known as the demand factor) is a measure of how efficiently electrical power is utilized over a specific period. In the context of a convention center with energy-efficient lighting, you can calculate the electrical load factor by following these steps:
Step 1: Determine the maximum demand:
The maximum demand is the highest electrical load recorded during a specific period, usually measured in kilowatts (kW). To find the maximum demand, you need to look at the peak power consumption during a given time (e.g., monthly or annually).
Step 2: Calculate the total energy consumption:
Next, determine the total energy consumption during the same period for which the maximum demand was recorded. This is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Step 3: Divide maximum demand by total energy consumption:
Finally, divide the maximum demand (in kW) by the total energy consumption (in kWh) during the same period. The result will be the electrical load factor expressed as a decimal or percentage.
Mathematically, the formula for calculating the electrical load factor is:
Electrical Load Factor = (Maximum Demand in kW) / (Total Energy Consumption in kWh)
Example:
Let's say you want to calculate the electrical load factor for a convention center with energy-efficient lighting over the course of one month. During that month, the highest peak demand (maximum demand) recorded was 200 kW, and the total energy consumed was 50,000 kWh.
Electrical Load Factor = 200 kW / 50,000 kWh = 0.004 or 0.4% (expressed as a percentage)
In this example, the electrical load factor for the convention center with energy-efficient lighting would be 0.4%.
A higher electrical load factor indicates more efficient utilization of electrical power, while a lower value implies that the peak demand is significantly higher than the average demand, which may lead to higher costs and less efficient use of energy.