Oh, are we going to pay ...
I do NOT want to see my next bill from BGE. Here are some factoids from the PJM Interconnection - the power grid than manages electrical distribution for the middle Atlantic states and Washington, D.C. Our thirst for power - electrical power - just keeps increasing.
Based on National Weather Service data, the amount of air conditioning demanded by consumers in the region has been 77 percent higher this summer than last summer, and 44 percent higher than the average. (Last summer was unusually mild.)
The highest demand for electricity so far this summer was 136,684 megawatts. That's nearly 10,000 megawatts more than the peak demand last year - 126,805 megawatts.
Every day last week, the demand for power across the PJM region exceeded last year's July peak of 116,599 megawatts. So far this month (through the 24th) our electrical consumption has topped last year's peak on 16 different days.
Last weekend, consumers in the PJM region set a new all-time peak demand record for a Saturday. The peak was 128,452 megawatts, breaking the old record by more than 8,000 megawatts. PJM says that bump is enough juice to run a major city. The previous record was 120,324 megawatts, set Aug. 13, 2005.
(SUN PHOTO: Doug Kapustin, 2005)
Comments
Sounds like its time to get serious about new power plants. More and more people are moving into the area. Our thirst for power is increasing because there are more people tapping into it these days. Businesses and government offices are expanding. I know I've been trumpeting solar power in my neighborhood, despite an HOA ban. Where ever the power comes from, we need more of it.
What was up with all the broken traffic lights on Richie Highway this past Saturday?
Posted by: BigDragon | July 27, 2010 9:12 AM
I received my BGE bill a few days ago. It said the average temperature for the billing period this year was 89 degrees and last year was 80 degrees. Huge difference.
FR: I received mine yesterday. It was much less than I had feared - $185. But then we were away for a week, and the $37.50 Peak Rewards credit cut the total to $148.
Posted by: David | July 27, 2010 2:38 PM