On those unbearably hot days, many of us crank up the air conditioning as soon as we get home. This creates a huge surge in electricity demand, especially in the late afternoon when everyone is trying to cool down at the same time. The power grid operators are responsible for making sure there’s enough electricity to keep everything running smoothly, which can be a tough job since energy needs change throughout the day. While you and your neighbors are asleep, the demand is lower, but as everyone wakes up, turns on the shower, and starts the coffeemaker, the demand for power climbs quickly.
How the Power Grid Works
The electricity that powers our homes comes from a mix of different sources, like coal, natural gas, nuclear plants, and renewable energy such as wind and solar. These sources are divided into three main categories: baseload, peaking, and intermittent power. Baseload power comes from sources that are always running, providing a steady supply of electricity. Examples include nuclear and fossil-fuel plants, along with some hydroelectric and geothermal facilities, which are reliable but not quick to adjust to sudden increases in demand.
Handling Sudden Spikes in Electricity Use
When there’s a sudden spike in electricity use—like when everyone turns on their air conditioners at the same time—grid operators rely on peaking power plants. These plants are designed to start up quickly and adapt their output to meet the varying demand. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind are increasingly used to supply electricity, they depend on the weather. If it’s cloudy or the wind isn’t blowing, these sources can’t always provide a steady supply of power.
The Role of Renewable Energy and Storage
Although renewable energy is becoming more common, we still need traditional baseload power sources to ensure a reliable electricity supply. One promising solution is energy storage, like batteries, which can store excess power generated by wind and solar for use when it’s needed. While this technology is advancing, it’s still evolving, and large-scale use of such batteries is many years away. Nationally, if co-ops and other electric utilities switched completely to intermittent sources, they wouldn’t be able to meet consumers’ needs for reliable power.
How You Can Help
While electric co-ops and grid operators are working hard to incorporate intermittent, renewable energy, the realities of differing power needs are why most electric utilities maintain a diverse mix of energy sources and fuels. Co-op members can help by taking steps to reduce their own energy use. For example, switching to energy-efficient appliances will not only reduce your monthly electric bill, but it can reduce the amount of electricity that’s needed. In addition, how you use various appliances can impact your electric bill. For example, spreading your use of major appliances to operate at different times, rather than running them all at the same time can reduce demand placed on the system. Our load management programs are also an excellent way to save money and energy.
Contact our energy experts to learn more about practical ways you can use less electricity without sacrificing comfort and convenience. Working together to improve energy efficiency helps all of us. By working together to use electricity more efficiently, we can all help maintain a stable and reliable power grid.