Extreme weather causes high demand for electricity

NEW LONDON — Firelands Electric Co-op's power supplier, Buckeye Power, is forecasting high loads today and possibly through Wednesday of this week. Ohio is part of the PJM Interconnection region, the nation's largest electric transmission grid operator, which is expecting to reach extreme power load demand this week for electric consumers in 13 states and the District of Columbia. As a result of the extreme temperatures and high humidity across the PJM region, Firelands Electric Co-op expects to implement load management of electric water heaters and central air-conditioning systems enrolled in the co-op's PeakBusters program Monday through Wednesday, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. Load management hours may start early or last longer than the hours noted depending upon conditions. Implementing load management efforts is necessary to reduce power loads across the Buckeye state's transmission grid. "Firelands Electric Co-op's load management system is designed to help keep power costs as low as possible for our cooperative members and all consumers in the PJM group," said Firelands' Director of Communications & IT Andrea Gravenhorst. "Higher demand for electricity and peak demand electric loads means higher costs for everyone. When a new peak is set, each of the 24 distribution electric cooperatives in Ohio, including Firelands Electric, is assigned a new demand charge on their bill from their power supplier, Buckeye Power," Gravenhorst added. Load management efforts help the electric co-op beat the peak, which helps to keep electric rates affordable. When peak energy conservation is critical, particularly between the hours of 2 PM and 6 PM. Everyone, whether an electric cooperative member or not, homeowners and local businesses can help reduce energy use by practicing a few simple conservation measures: • RAISE your cooling thermostat four degrees.• Avoid using major appliances during high demand times.• Delay household chores requiring electrical use, such as running the dishwasher and doing laundry, until after 7 PM.• Use ceiling and portable fans to enhance the cooling ability of your air conditioner. Even mild air movement can make you feel cooler.• Draw shades or blinds to prevent the sun from adding more heat to the room.• Be sure your air conditioner filters are clean for peak efficiency.