From Robin’s newsletter:
Many of you saw the news that Progress Energy experienced a new “peak demand” record last week during the record cold that we had here in WNC. What does it mean to you and I that the energy used between 8 and 9 am was 7 % higher than it was last year at this time? Peak demand is the threshold to which the power companies are held accountable by the Public Utility Commission. In simple terms, they have to build enough power production capacity to handle peak demand and a buffer above that. This is the threshold that determines if another power plant gets built in our area.
Generally we have more than enough power to handle our area needs, except when we all use power at the same time. Cold mornings elicit this type of consumer demand because when everyone gets up between 6 and 9 am, turns up the heater, turns on the radio and the stove, takes a hot shower, turns on the lights, starts a load of clothes, etc. the power surges. In WNC the peak happens in the winter between 6 and 9 am and sets the production demand levels. That’s why Progress Energy wanted to build a peaking plant in Woodfin a few years ago and why if we do not reduce our energy usage here we will be facing the news that they are seeking to build another power plant here. Conservation and efficiency are the keys to reducing electricity demand.
We, the members of CEAC (the community energy advisory council) have been working with Progress Energy to introduce some new energy efficiency and renewable power options. But all of these seem ineffectual in the face of unfettered increased demand. There are many things that each of us electrical users can do to help this situation.
1. Be aware of your own energy use during 6-9 am in the mornings and seek to reduce your electrical demand on the system at that time. Try setting your thermostat down 2 degrees before you go to bed and don’t turn it back up until after 9 am, if at all.
2. Take your showers the night, put your jacketed, hot water heater on a timer to heat your water up prior to 6 am, or switch to solar or gas hot water.
3. Avoid turning on extra appliances
4. Put your electric heaters on timers so that they will turn down or off between these hours
5. Turn of unnecessary lights
6. Find out about the energy efficiency and demand side management plans available through progress energy. http://www.progress-energy.com
7. Weatherize your house to reduce the heat loss over the night
8. Wear sweaters and slippers in the house. Its winter after all!
It is going to take all of us making waking up to the role we play in the power production demand if we want to keep Progress Energy from building another expensive power plant or expanding their nuclear power capacity in the state of NC. Each of us can make a difference.
1 Comment
This is very important. We fought hard and won to keep out the Progress Energy Plant in Woodfin – and we do not want another one. A little effort, a bit of inconvenience – but this is a community that can do this.
Thanks for the tips from Robin Cape – come on – Asheville! each of us can do just a little and it will make a difference.
Nan