The three-tiered system served by Associated Electric Cooperative set a new all-time system peak of 4,495 megawatts at 7 p.m. yesterday, Jan. 7, 2010, exceeding a peak set earlier in the week of 4,339 MW at 8 a.m. Jan. 5. The previous all-time peak of 4,292 MW was set Jan. 15, 2009.
The system also set an all-time energy usage record of 93,991 megawatt-hours yesterday, and staff expects that record will be surpassed by the end of today. The previous electricity usage in a 24-hour period record was 91,499 MWh on Jan. 15, 2009.
Peak demand and energy usage figures are preliminary and could change slightly as staff integrates ties across the system, John noted.
Below-freezing temperatures across the system are driving the peaks and energy usage.
The average minimum temperature yesterday across the system was 4 degrees Fahrenheit, said John Neagle, supervisor of system operations. Among cities monitored, average minimum temperatures yesterday were minus 1 degree F in St. Joseph, Mo., 12 degrees in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and 8 degrees in Claremore, Okla.
Temperatures are predicted to remain in the minus to single-digit range today and tomorrow across the system, and a new peak could be reached.
To meet members’ energy and peak demand needs yesterday, Associated relied on its mix of resources, and all of its coal, natural gas and oil units were available.
Operating yesterday to meet the peak were all coal units at Chamois, New Madrid and Thomas Hill power plants; all Associated’s combined-cycle gas units at the Chouteau, Dell and St. Francis power plants; two of the three peaking dual-fuel units at the Holden Power Plant; contracted hydropower resources; and Associated’s contracted wind energy resources, which produced about 75 MW across the peak to serve members.
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