There are times during the day when electrical demand is high, during the morning when a large portion of the population is getting ready for work. The lights come on, there’s an increase in hot water use, people are making coffee, or using the microwave or an electric stove or oven. All these add to a morning increase in electricity demand, a peak in usage. A similar increase occurs in the evening when people return home from work. The weather can also influence electricity demand, hot weather will increase the need for air conditioning and maybe dehumidification. Overnight usage is typically low periods of demand.
A problem with periods of high electricity demand, utility companies often need to bring peaking plants (short term power generating plants) online to satisfy short periods high electricity usage. These power plants are sometimes only used during peak loads and often have higher air pollution rates than the plants designed to operate all the time. If demand isn’t met by the peaking plant, the provider must purchase power on the open market. Sometimes the electricity rates during peak electricity usage are purchased for dollars per kilowatt, and then are sold back to the customer in pennies per kilowatt. Not the best business model. Continue reading “Peak Electricity Load Control Programs-a Solution for Home Electrification?”