Control apparatus for an energy distribution system • that is embodied in such a manner that it comprises a connection to an alternating current supply system and also comprises a plurality of predetermined loads (26, 28, 30) that have an energy storage capacity and can be connected as required in each case by means of a respective switching device (20, 22, 24) in an electrical manner for the duration of a half-wave or a whole number times said half-wave to the alternating current supply system and said loads are operated at their rated output when connected, • wherein the control apparatus is provided for the purpose of controlling the respective switching devices (20, 22, 24) in such a manner that the respective loads (26, 28, 30) are supplied from the alternating current supply system for a respective control time period within a predetermined common cycle time period (64, 92, 112) of 1s to a few 100s with a respective predetermined magnitude of electrical energy that is averaged over a time period, • wherein the control apparatus is provided for the purpose of establishing the start and end of the respective control time periods within the common cycle time period (64, 92, 112) prior to the start of said common cycle time period in such a manner that during the cycle time period (64, 92, 112) the electrical loading (74, 78, 102, 120) on the alternating current supply system by means of the loads (26, 28, 30) is optimized to create a constant as possible loading graph, characterized in that the control apparatus is moreover provided for the purpose of establishing and taking into consideration within the scope of the optimization for at least one load (26, 28, 30) in lieu of a continuous control time period at least two non-continuous block time periods (54, 60) of an equal total duration. • that is embodied in such a manner that it comprises a connection to an alternating current supply system and also comprises a plurality of predetermined loads (26, 28, 30) that have an energy storage capacity and can be connected as required in each case by means of a respective switching device (20, 22, 24) in an electrical manner for the duration of a half-wave or a whole number times said half-wave to the alternating current supply system and said loads are operated at their rated output when connected, • wherein the control apparatus is provided for the purpose of controlling the respective switching devices (20, 22, 24) in such a manner that the respective loads (26, 28, 30) are supplied from the alternating current supply system for a respective control time period within a predetermined common cycle time period (64, 92, 112) of 1s to a few 100s with a respective predetermined magnitude of electrical energy that is averaged over a time period, • wherein the control apparatus is provided for the purpose of establishing the start and end of the respective control time periods within the common cycle time period (64, 92, 112) prior to the start of said common cycle time period in such a manner that during the cycle time period (64, 92, 112) the electrical loading (74, 78, 102, 120) on the alternating current supply system by means of the loads (26, 28, 30) is optimized to create a constant as possible loading graph,