The proper management of the use of electrical energy in a building or facility must be consider the energy needs, the electrical demand rate and, in some cases, the time of day. In many cases energy needs are minimized by a local loop control system for HVAC fan systems, primary heating and cooling supply systems and lighting level control systems. This type reduction in energy secondarily reduces electrical demand rate.

In some cases energy needs are reduced by duty cycling equipment with or without temperature feedback. When this is properly done, it also secondarily reduces electrical demand rate by load leveling. The primary control of electrical demand rate can be accomplished by one of several calculation methods and shed methods. The characteristics of each of these methods is discussed. Electrical energy management program application considerations include minimum and maximum off-time requirements for different loads and proper interaction between duty cycle and demand control. These are discussed along with the types of loads that can be directly controlled.

The general subject of electrical energy management depends upon the types of loads carried by electrical energy, upon the methods of control of these loads including duty cycling, and is to a great degree concerned with electric demand limiting.