disconnecting or interrupting the electrical supply to a customer load by the utility usually to mitigate the effects of generating capacity deficiencies or transmission limits.

Intentional action by a utility that results in the reduction of more than 100 megawatts (MW) of firm customer load for reasons of maintaining the continuity of service of the reporting entity's bulk electric power supply system. The routine use of load control equipment that reduces firm customer load is not considered to be a reportable action.

the process of disconnecting load from the system for the purpose of protecting the integrity of the system.

Load shedding is the process by which the total load on a paralleling system is reduced, on overload of the system bus, so that the most critical loads continue to be provided with reliable electrical service.

A lighting control strategy for selectively reducing the output of light fixtures on a temporary basis as a means to reduce peak demand charges.

The ability to selectively shut off a set of UPS output receptacles, extending the capacity of the UPS battery. Some Powerware UPS models are able to shed less critical loads by turning off selected output receptacles during an extended power failure while maintaining power to the more critical load(s) on the remaining output receptacles.