Mercury plunges; power consumption soars

subscribe

At 6 p.m. on January 28, Alberta's demand for electricity reached an all time high of 9,710 megawatts (MW), breaking the previous record of 9701 MW set earlier this winter on December 3, 2007.

"The heaviest demand for electricity in Alberta typically occurs during the winter," says Warren Frost, Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) vice-president of Operations and Reliability. "A prolonged cold snap, reduced daylight hours and increased lighting are all factors that combine to push demand to record levels."

The AESO's system controllers monitor the electricity grid 24 hours per day, seven days per week, working collaboratively with transmission facility owners and power generation owners to ensure that even during times of high demand, contingency plans are in place and reserves available to meet the electricity demands of all Albertans.

Electricity consumption in Alberta has grown by 29% since 2000 with a year over year average load growth of 3.2% each year for the last five years. The AESO estimates an additional 5000 MW of electricity supply by 2017 and 11,500 MW by 2027 will be required to meet the growing electricity demands of Albertans.

Related News

Renewable electricity powered California

Renewable electricity powered California just shy of 100% for the first time in history

LOS ANGELES - Renewable electricity met just shy of 100% of California's demand for the first time on Saturday, officials said, much of it from large amounts of solar power produced along Interstate 10, an hour east of the Coachella Valley.

While partygoers celebrated in the blazing sunshine at the Stagecoach music festival,  "at 2:50 (p.m.), we reached 99.87 % of load served by all renewables, which broke the previous record," said Anna Gonzales, spokeswoman for California Independent System Operator, a nonprofit that oversees the state's bulk electric power system and transmission lines. Solar power provided two-thirds of the amount needed.

Environmentalists…

READ MORE
Trump declares end to 'war on coal,'

Trump declares end to 'war on coal,' but utilities aren't listening

READ MORE

florida power crews

Ontario sending 200 workers to help restore power in Florida

READ MORE

suspected russians hacking usa power system

Russia suspected as hackers breach systems at power plants across US

READ MORE

City of Vancouver

City of Vancouver named Clean Energy Champion for Bloedel upgrades

READ MORE