Peak demand near record for Progress Energy

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - As western North Carolina residents turned up heaters and other electric appliances, electricity use in the region was near record levels recently.

Temperatures are cold throughout the region and expected to remain cold – though well shy of record lows – through the week. But residents’ use of electricity between 8 and 9 a.m. January 4 was within 1.5 percent of the record. The region’s record for peak usage, set in 5-degree weather January 16, 2009, was 1,053 megawatt-hours (MWh). The peak on January 4 of this year, between 8 and 9 a.m. with temperatures at 12 degrees, was approximately 1,036 MWh.

In addition to the record set January 16, 2009, Progress Energy customers in Western North Carolina also set demand records three times in January 2008.

Although Progress Energy Carolinas was able to meet electricity needs for the region, the high usage strained region resources and required significant electricity generation from outside the region to keep lights and heating systems working.

"Our temperatures in Western North Carolina have been seasonally cold, but by no means record cold, and customer electricity usage has approached record levels already this winter," said John Smith, vice president for Progress Energy CarolinasÂ’ Western Region, headquartered in Asheville. "This points yet again to the critical need to focus on energy efficiency as part of a balanced strategy for meeting the energy needs of the region. It also points to the need to ensure we have sufficient resources in place within our region to meet the needs of customers here."

Progress Energy uses a mix of resources to meet the needs of customers in the region, including its power plant located at Skyland, which uses a variety of fuels to meet energy demand, and hydroelectric power located in Western North Carolina. For nearly two decades, the company also purchased power generated by coal-fired units outside North Carolina to meet a portion of the needs of Western N.C. customers. However, the contract for that power purchase ended December 31. Progress Energy has purchased electric generation from other utilities to replace the lost power for the next two years, but such purchases are not a viable long-term solution for ensuring compliance with federal reliability standards.

Since 2007, Progress Energy has launched a number of energy-efficiency programs for residential, commercial and industrial customers and demand-side management programs that help reduce electricity demand. Participation in efficiency programs is slowly increasing in Western North Carolina, but not sufficiently to offset growth in electricity usage.

The companyÂ’s website (www.savethewatts.com) provides information on energy-saving opportunities for homeowners.

Household use of electricity, on average, has increased about 50 percent in the last three decades, due to growth in the average size of homes and increased use of electronics in daily life.

"We are committed to helping our customers use energy wisely – not just when it’s very cold or very hot, but every day of the year," Smith said. "The most efficient kilowatt-hour of energy is the one that is not used."

Progress Energy offers these tips for cold-weather energy conservation:

• Keep the thermostat on your heating system at the lowest comfortable setting. If you are going to be away for several days, turn the thermostat to a lower setting, but not to "Off." A sudden frigid snap could cause your pipes to freeze and burst.

• Check filters at least monthly and clean or change them as needed. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent and can damage equipment.

• Caulk any space around windows and other places where air leaks to prevent cold drafts and heat escape.

• Use exhaust fans sparingly in winter. Heat and moisture from bathing and cooking contribute heat to your home. But don't use the oven to heat a room.

• If your home has a fireplace, be sure the damper fits tightly, and close it when the fireplace is not in use. Add a glass fireplace screen.

• Cover bare floors. Carpeting adds to comfort and heat retention, especially if there is little or no floor insulation.

• If possible, remove window air conditioning units in winter. Otherwise, install an inexpensive air conditioner cover to stop drafts coming through the vents.

• Use ceiling fans in winter to distribute heat around the room. Reverse the direction of the fan blades from that used for summer cooling.

• Use insulated or heavy curtains on windows facing the north side of the house. Keep curtains and shades closed at night and on cloudy days.

• For heat pump users, set the thermostat to a constant setting and leave it there, and make sure drapes and furniture are not blocking air registers or returns.

• Keep the oven, the refrigerator and other appliances clean. Clean equipment runs more efficiently.

• Use microwave ovens whenever possible. They use less than half the power of a conventional oven.

• Defrost frozen food by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. This helps cool the refrigerator so it won't run as much.

• Whenever possible, wash full loads in the dishwasher and clothes washing machine, rather than partial loads.

• Take short showers instead of tub baths and install a flow restrictor or energy-saving shower head.

• Look for EnergyGuide labels on most major home appliances. The more efficient models save you money in the long run.

Progress EnergyÂ’s balanced strategy includes increased energy efficiency, investments in renewable and alternative energy sources and state-of-the-art power plants.

In addition to the savethewatts website, the company provides information on efficiency programs and other ways for customers to save energy and money at a www.progress-energy.com. Customers also can learn more about the companyÂ’s Energy Neighbor Fund, which provides funding for heating assistance to low-income customers.