Difference between kW and kWh

1 July 2024

Bramo team

Why saying “we consume kW” is an error...

In everyday language there is common confusion between kW and kWh.

This article is to help clarify the difference in the commercial world.

Difference between kW (Power) and kWh (Consumption/Production):

The kW is a multiple of the watt (1 kW = 10^3 W), a unit of power particularly used in the electrical industry.

The power of a machine measures its capacity to deliver or consume a quantity of energy per unit of time.

The kWh, multiple of the watt-hour (1 kWh = 10^3 Wh), is used to quantify the energy delivered.

1 kWh corresponds to the energy consumed by a device with a power of 1 kW for a period of one hour (1 kW × 1 h).

We therefore do not consume kW but kWh.

And what about the Load Factor?

The distinction between power (Kw) and electricity (Kwh) is particularly important when different installations are compared (some having intermittent production).

It is then necessary taking into consideration the load factors of the installations.

An electrical load factor measures how consistently electrical power is used over time. It shows how close the average power usage is to the maximum power demand, indicating the efficiency of energy consumption.

It provides an important indication for calculating the reliability of an electrical installation.

The load factor varies from one production unit to another, in particular depending on:

> the energy source

> the level of use of the production unit

> its location

Would you like to know more?

Or do you have any questions about one or more of these topics?

Feel free to contact us at hello@bramoenergy.com.

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