Open Activity Monitor. If kernel_task is the top of the CPU % list and hogging its cores, what should you do? Can Energy Modes help?
Power mode
How macOS can not only regulate CPU cluster frequencies to control power use, but also moves threads to E cores. This reduces power use of over 50 W to less than 13 W.
Low Power mode operates pre-emptive control of CPU core frequency to deliver the best compromise between low power use and performance. Here’s how it does so.
How CPU P cores have a frequency limit applied in Low Power mode, and how macOS regulates power use or temperature by controlling core frequency.
How Apple silicon CPUs control core frequencies and power use when running in Low Power mode. Includes M4 Pro and M3 Pro data, and estimates of energy requirements.
Apple refers to Energy Modes and Power Modes, and despite older MacBook Pro models offering Low Power mode, tells us that isn’t what Low Power mode is now. Here are the observations and explanations.
The Eclectic Light Company 