Build a Load Profile Your Electricity Supplier Can Price
The short answer
A load profile is a description of when your building uses electricity, not just how much. Suppliers price risk: a flat, predictable load costs less to serve than one with sharp afternoon peaks or big seasonal swings. Giving them a clean profile — ideally 12 months of 15-minute or hourly interval data plus your capacity tag — usually produces tighter, lower quotes than monthly totals alone.
What goes into a usable profile
| Element | What it tells a supplier | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months of kWh by month | Seasonal shape and total volume | Bills or utility portal |
| Monthly peak kW | How peaky the load is | Bills (demand-billed accounts) |
| Interval data (15-min or hourly) | Exact daily and weekly shape | Utility online portal or supplier data request |
| Capacity tag (PLC) and transmission tag (NSPL) | Your share of capacity and transmission costs for the year | Utility data via your supplier/broker; some bills |
| Rate schedule | Delivery charges and eligibility | Bill |
| Known changes | New equipment, expansions, closures, electrification | You |
Three numbers worth calculating yourself
- Load factor = average kW ÷ peak kW. Average kW = annual kWh ÷ 8,760. Offices often land around 40–50%, grocery stores and cold storage 70% or more, churches under 20%.
- On-peak share = kWh used on weekday daytime hours ÷ total kWh. A low share can earn better time-of-use pricing.
- Capacity cost per kWh = capacity tag (kW) × roughly $120 per kW-year (2026/27 price) ÷ annual kWh. This shows how much of your generation price is capacity — often 1.5¢ to 3¢ per kWh in 2026.
Common profile problems — and fixes
- Estimated reads. They distort monthly shape; flag them before sending.
- A one-time event. A shutdown, renovation or flood month should be labeled so suppliers don't price it as normal.
- Growth plans. EV chargers, a new line or electrified heat can move you outside your contract's usage band. Tell suppliers up front.
- Multiple meters at one site. List every meter with its building so suppliers can see which loads are coincident.
How interval data changes the price
Without interval data, suppliers price you on a generic "class" profile for your rate schedule — which assumes an average business. If you actually run more at night or have a flat 24/7 load, the class profile overstates your cost to serve. Larger accounts almost always benefit from providing real interval data; for very small accounts the difference may be too small to matter.
FAQ
How do I get interval data from my Ohio utility?
Smart-metered business accounts can usually download 15-minute or hourly usage from the utility's online account portal. A supplier or broker can also request historical usage with your authorization.
What is a good load factor for pricing?
Higher is better. Above roughly 60% is considered favorable for most suppliers; below 30% means demand and capacity will be a large share of your cost.
Does my load profile affect my demand charge?
Your profile doesn't change the utility's demand charge formula, but it reveals when peaks happen — the first step to cutting demand charges.
What is a capacity tag?
Your share of the grid's peak, set from your load during PJM's peak summer hours; it drives the capacity part of your generation price. See capacity tags explained.