Power boards: Use electricity wisely

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July 1, 2012

Power boards: Use electricity wisely

By Ashley Graves The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Sun Jul 01, 2012, 12:00 PM CDT

Triple-digit temperatures in recent days have had the Cullman Electric Cooperative and Cullman Power Board's systems working much harder than usual.

And with no end in site to the heat wave, both companies are asking local residents to use electricity wisely.

"Right now, it's outfitting like normal," co-op spokesperson Brian Lacy said. "But we're still asking that people take steps to reduce the demand on the TVA system."

Mike Manning, with the Cullman Power Board, echoed those thoughts.

"Conservation efforts are always a prudent course of action, and they are especially during periods of extreme weather."

TVA's highest demand of the year was reached Thursday when 30,463 megawatts were used as temperatures reached 101. It marks the second highest June load in TVA history over a seven state area. The all-time record demand on the TVA power system is 33,482 megawatts, set on August 16, 2007, when temperatures averaged 102 degrees. According to a TVA press release, the TVA system has a summer capacity of about 34,000 megawatts of power available.

"TVA has a diverse portfolio of resources available to reliably meet the need, including energy efficiency programs,nuclear, natural gas, coal, hydro and renewable energy," said Bob Balzar, TVA vice president of Energy Efficiency and Demand Response.

Lacy said energy use is usually the highest between 5 and 7 p.m. as people are getting home from work. He encourages people to hold off until the late evening hours, after the sun has gone down, to run the dishwasher, washer and dryer, and other house hold items.

"This just helps avoid the possibility of a blackout occurring," Lacy said.

He added there has been talk about the possibility of a rolling blackout if TVA reaches a point of demand. With a rolling blackout, in order to avoid the entire electrical grid shutting down, a utility will intentionally turn off power to a specific area for roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Lacy said if it did get implemented, the co-op has a detailed plan for how it’s carried out. However, he isn’t anticipating that to happen right now.

“TVA keeps us updated often,” Lacy said. “We’re prepared if it does happen, but we’re not anticipating it.”

In addition to helping save energy, using electricity wisely and efficiently can also lower the impact on power bills, according to Balzar. He said by simply increasing the thermostat temperatures a few degrees during the day can help.

“Hot temperatures are typical during the summer in the South, and TVA is prepared to handle the extra demand,” Balzar said. “But conserving during peak periods and shifting energy-use activities to evening hours can help consumers control their energy costs and TVA to operate its energy fleet most efficiently, which contributes to lower power bills.

“Air conditioning is a necessity in this type of hot weather, especially for those with special heath issues and the elderly. But small changes in thermostat settings can go along way in keeping homes comfortable and monthly power bills affordable.”

Temperatures today are expected to reach 103 before gradually cooling off into the low 90’s by the Fourth of July holiday.

* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com.

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