Grid operations · Definition

Electricity demand

The rate at which customers and connected equipment use electricity at a particular time.

In plain languageThe rate at which customers and connected equipment use electricity at a particular time.
Category
Grid operations
Primary reference
U.S. Energy Information Administration

Why it matters

How this term helps you read grid data

Demand changes through the day and drives how much generation, storage discharge, imports, or demand response the system needs.

Example

Electricity demand in practice

EIA-930 hourly demand is reported as megawatt-hours consumed during each reported hour.

Reference

Check the primary source

US Grid Explorer paraphrases agency terminology for clarity. Consult the agency reference for formal definitions and current regulatory usage.

U.S. Energy Information Administration →
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