What a load shape represents
A load shape is the required electrical power in each interval of the model horizon. It defines the timing of demand, not just the total energy consumed.
Two profiles can have the same total energy and different costs because their imports coincide with different energy prices, facility peaks or system peak events.
Flat loads
A flat load requires the same power in every interval. Its energy use is the constant power multiplied by elapsed time. The tariff can still produce changing costs because rates and billing periods vary.
Energy use in MWh is calculated by multiplying the constant power in MW by the elapsed hours.
Default data center load shape
The default is a flat load at the specified power in MW throughout its operating period.
- Power demand: each load requires its specified MW in every interval. Total campus demand is the sum of the active loads.
- Operating period: demand begins on the commissioning date and becomes zero on the retirement date. Separate loads with different start dates can represent a phased campus opening.
- Daily and seasonal variation: the default has no daily cycle, weekend adjustment, or temperature-driven cooling profile. Training and inference loads use the same flat shape.
- Flexibility: a firm load retains its required demand. A flexible load may reduce consumption when the electricity savings exceed its specified reduction cost.
This profile describes required demand before dispatch. Grid imports also reflect onsite generation, storage operation, and any load reduction.
How load shape changes tariff costs
Energy charges depend on how much electricity is imported and when. Demand-based charges depend on the highest grid import during the billing hours. Fixed charges stay the same when the operating schedule changes.
Onsite generation and storage change grid imports. Charges use those imports or the stated contract quantity, as described on the utility page.