Summer Is Heating Up and So Is Your Electric Use!
Beat the peak on summer demand
What is peak demand? Peak demand is when electric use is higher than normal. Increased demand for electricity from the 24 electric cooperatives throughout the state of Ohio or even the 13-state PJM Interconnection region (the electric transmission territory that serves Ohio), can contribute to peak demand.
Why is peak demand important? During peak demand, Pioneer Electric Cooperative’s power supplier, Buckeye Power, Inc., runs its large baseload power plants at full capacity. If the need arises, Buckeye Power can also fire up its supplemental gas-fired peaking plants or purchase power from additional sources, which all affect the wholesale power adjustment (WPA) portion of members’ electric rates.
Electricity cost is highest when it’s most needed — less than one percent of the hours in a year. The maximum or “peak” amount of electricity used helps to determine Pioneer’s future costs of power. When the peak goes up, so does the cost. By reducing, or deferring, the demand for electricity created by electric water heaters, home-heating systems, central air-conditioning systems, and other high-use appliances, such as washers and dryers, the cooperative helps reduce its costs for power.
In addition, environmental regulations have resulted in the retirement of numerous coal- and natural gas-fired power plants over the past decade. While renewable energy sources have replaced some of these plants, the generation capacity of these facilities is much lower than those that have been shut down. During extreme weather conditions, this can create an alarming burden on the electric grid — so much so that in extreme cases, rolling blackouts could become necessary.
How does this affect load management participants? Members who participate in Pioneer’s voluntary load management program help the cooperative lower the demand for electricity and reduce the risk of higher WPA costs and rolling blackouts. Rebates and incentives are also available to members who choose to participate in these programs.
Buckeye Power may issue a peak alert during these periods of high demand. These alerts are often implemented when extreme weather conditions and temperatures occur — the hottest days during the summer and the coldest days in the winter, both in Ohio and across the PJM region. During a peak alert, load management devices installed on electric water heaters and HVAC systems in participating members’ homes may be activated, temporarily disconnecting the appliance from the power supply.
Summer load management efforts typically take place on very hot and humid days between 1 and 7 p.m. Winter load management may occur on bitter cold days between 6 and 10 a.m. and/or from 4 to 8 p.m. Depending upon weather conditions and power loads, the time and duration of load management efforts may be adjusted.
If you have interest in being enrolled in Pioneer’s load management program, please visit pioneerec.com/member-programs/peak-load-management or contact our office at 800-762-0997 or email energyadvisor@pioneerec.com
Any member who would like to be notified when peaks occur to help reduce use during these times, may also sign up for peak alert text notifications by texting PEAK to 800-762-0997.
General load management information:
- Appliances equipped with radio-control switches can include: geothermal units, heat pumps, central air conditioning, and water heaters.
- A load management device, like the gray box shown above, is typically installed near the water heater or HVAC system.
- A green light on the device is normal and indicates that electricity is flowing to the water heater or HVAC system.
- A red light indicates that load management is taking place and that the water heater is not receiving power and the HVAC system power is being cycled on and off.
- Air conditioners: Cycles the compressor of your HVAC unit for brief periods of time. Cycling periods are brief, so that program participants rarely experience a change in comfort. During these cycles, the air handler continues to run, circulating air throughout the home.
- Water heaters: The switch interrupts the power supply to the heating elements, however since the water in an electric water heater stays warm for several hours without power, most members will never notice the temporary shutdown.
