Current Demand (the green dot and value) is the real-time amount of electricity that Connecticut's homes, businesses, schools, government, etc. are using, measured in megawatts. The green line shows the actual demand that occured throughout the day.
The Graph compares Connecticut's current electric demand to the daily forecasted peak demand. It also shows past seasonal peak demands. The goal is to keep current demand below past peak levels to help control future electric costs. Success will be indicated whenever actual demand (green line) remains below the historical peak (red line).
Historical peak demand is used to set a portion of our future costs. So, exceeding the historical peak, (green line crosses the red line) can increase costs in the future. However, if we can keep current demand below past levels we can control costs going forward.
You can lessen peak demand by reducing “discretionary” electric use during Connecticut's peak hours, weekday between noon and 8 pm. Appliances and devices that can lessen peak demand include pool pumps, dehumidifiers, dishwashers and clothes washers and dryers. Consumers are encouraged to avoid the use of these items generally during the peak hours of noon to 8 p.m. The reminder here is to “Wait 'til 8” to use major appliances.
Note that while limiting the use of major appliances takes a big chunk out of discretionary usage, reducing the use of other, smaller devices adds up as well. Any reduction in unnecessary use of electricity will help relieve system demand.
Controlling peak demand and being energy efficient in general provide economic, environmental and societal benefits, as follows.
Economic benefits. Current electric costs are partially driven by past years' annual peak demands. So, controlling peak demand today helps control future system‑wide costs. High peak demand affects the wholesale price of electricity and can require higher costs associated with investments in transmission lines and generators to keep Connecticut's electric system reliable.
Environmental benefits. Many peak generating plants in service today are older, less efficient units that produce more harmful emissions. So, reducing peak demand can help improve air quality by requiring these plants to run less frequently.
Societal benefits. When the electric system becomes strained by high demand, Connecticut becomes vulnerable to power disruptions. These disruptions are commonly referred to as rolling brownouts (i.e., voltage reductions) and rolling blackouts (i.e., shutting off power for up to two hours) in varying sections of the state.
These benefits can be summarized as follows: “Taking actions to reduce peak demand can help control overall costs for everyone, lower harmful emissions and reduce the strain on Connecticut's electric system to maintain reliability.”
The Connecticut electric system, sometimes referred to as the state power grid, consists of hundreds of miles of high-voltage electric transmission lines that carry electricity from generating plants in Connecticut and across New England to local distribution systems operated by The Connecticut Light and Power Company, The United Illuminating Company and several municipal electric systems.
Ozone can:
- Make it more difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously.
- Cause shortness of breath and pain when taking a deep breath.
- Cause coughing and sore or scratchy throat.
- Inflame and damage the lung lining.
- Make the lungs more susceptible to infection.
- Aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
- Increase the frequency of asthma attacks.
- Continue to damage the lungs even when the symptoms have disappeared.
- Aggravate heart diseases such as congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.
- Cause you to experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue.
- Increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks.
- Aggravate lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.
- Cause respiratory symptoms including coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath.
- Also increase your susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Here are some tips that the EPA recommends to improve air quality:
- Conserve electricity;
- Consider setting the thermostat setting a few degrees higher on your air conditioner in summer;
- Consider setting the thermostat setting on your heating system a little lower in winter;
- Participate in local energy conservation programs;
- Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home or office equipment;
- Keep car, boat and other engines properly tuned, and avoid engines that smoke;
- Car pool, use public transportation, bike or walk when possible;
- Combine errands to reduce "cold starts" of your car and avoid extended idling;
- Consider using gas logs instead of wood. If you use a wood-burning stove or fireplace insert, make sure it meets EPA design specifications and burn only dry, seasoned wood;
- Mulch or compost leaves and other yard waste.
Tips for days when particle pollution is expected to be high:
- Reduce the number of trips you take in your car;
- Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use;
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment;
- Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.