But the power grid has remained stable, thanks to accurate and early warnings of winter weather.
“The federal power system is in good shape, so far, to meet heightened needs for electricity,” the Bonneville Power Administration's Paul Norman said Thursday.
Those utilities reported that the region drew some 63,252 megawatts on Monday, Dec. 15, shattering the previous single-day record of 60,103 megawatts set in 2007. The difference - 3,000 megawatts - is the daily output of three large nuclear power plants.
On that day, temperatures in western Montana ranged from the neighborhood of minus 15 to a few degrees above zero - or about 25 degrees below normal.
“Electric utilities large and small across the Northwest and into portions of Canada are seeing an extreme demand for electricity, especially as the cold continues to linger,” Norman said.
Weather forecasters, however, saw the deep freeze coming several days in advance, and BPA quickly coordinated with dam operators to ramp up production.
They made advance power purchases, anticipating a price spike as demand increased, and also adjusted turbine maintenance schedules at the dams. In addition, power managers negotiated flexibility for reservoir levels at Libby, Grand Coulee and Willamette dams, to ensure full hydroelectric production.
“We're really thankful that our forecasters raised the caution flag early, so that the federal agencies had adequate time to plan for this cold spell,” Norman said. “As with any extreme weather event, one can never promise what will happen next, but so far the system has been holding up well with all the demands being placed upon it.”
Generally, Norman said, consumer demand is highest between 8 and 10 a.m., and then again between 4 and 5 p.m. Weekend electricity use is typically lower, as many large businesses and commercial complexes are not on the clock.
“The fact that electricity use often is lower on weekends than weekdays may help us,” Norman said, “if this cold weather continues to linger into the coming weekend.”
Indeed, forecasters are calling for continued cold in western Montana, with the keenest chill arriving over the weekend. Overnight lows should approach minus 10 on Friday and Sunday nights, with Saturday's low plunging to 20 below. Weekend highs are expected to hover around zero.
Norman said the grid should be in good shape to handle the anticipated demand, despite the long-term nature of the current cold snap. So far, he said, BPA's transmission system has not been impacted by the storms.
Reporter Michael Jamison can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at mjamison@missoulian.com
Tips to lower your heating bill
The temperature goes down, the heat goes up, and the bills go through the roof. Solution? Insulate the roof.
Or, if you're on a budget, try some of these low-cost (or no-cost) tips to reduce wintertime electricity bills. The best part is, you don't even have to step outside to find these savings.
- Check your heating vents. Often, they're blocked by furniture or clogged with dust. A simple rearranging and housecleaning can increase efficiency.
- Clean or replace your furnace filters - and then do it again next month. Forced-air furnace filters are traps for dust and dirt, and a regular cleaning does wonders for a heater's ability to heat.
- Close the chimney damper as soon as the fire is out, because an open chimney is funneling heat straight out of the house.
- Circulate that heated air. Because warm air rises to the ceiling, and you're down there on the floor, you should use a fan to distribute warm air around the house.
- Close your drapes and blinds, because drapes add a layer of insulation and blinds - with louvers down - reflect rising heat back into the room. If you don't need natural light in a room, keep window coverings closed around the clock.
- Don't heat rooms that are not in use. Close heat vents and doors, and use that empty airspace as a buffer against the chill.
- And last, but certainly not least, turn the thermostat down a few degrees, put on a sweater and brew up a warm cup of tea.
For many more energy-saving tips, visit Bonneville Power Administration at www.bpa.gov, or contact your local utility.
Michael Jamison, Missoulian
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)