During SW Heatwave, At Least 8 Utilities In 5 States Hit All-Time Electricity Use Records

[hatrack]

EDIT

As people from California to Texas cranked up their air conditioners, at least eight utilities across five states saw electricity use reach all-time highs, meaning they provided more simultaneous power than ever before. The records were a scorching reminder that Americans are already experiencing a rise in extreme heat that scientists attribute to climate change. The number of days with highs above 95 degrees has risen substantially in many places, according to a recent analysis by Climate Central, an independent, non-profit research and news organization that analyzes and reports on climate science.

Record-breaking demand for electricity is likely to continue, said Maximilian Auffhammer, an environmental economist at the University of California, Berkeley, who wrote a paper on the subject in February. Hot states with growing populations, such as Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, will feel the biggest impact, he said.

When Phoenix hit a record 119 degrees on June 20, Arizona's three largest utilities all broke their records for most simultaneous electricity use. Salt River Project, which serves 1 million electric customers in the Phoenix area, actually set records twice — first on June 19, when demand hit 6,981 megawatts, then again the next day, when customers used 7,219 megawatts. The utility's previous record, set last summer, was 6,873 megawatts.

Such records are nothing new for El Paso Electric Company, which serves 400,000 customers in west Texas and southern New Mexico. El Paso Electric has surpassed its previous peak energy usage 16 out of the last 17 years, the company said in a statement. It attributes the high demand to more air conditioners, more people and hotter weather.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/06/30/unprecedented-heat-southwest-shatters-energy-use-records/440423001/

[Raster]

1. WHY, WHY, WHY are those utility companies --ESPECIALLY Salt River Project-- not bending over...

...backward to install and accommodate solar power? Why are there not solar panels on EVERY FREAKIN' BUILDING in Southern Arizona?

[hatrack]

2. Because Freedumb! Because Property Values! Because 'Murca!

.

[mountain grammy]

5. Yep!

[asiliveandbreathe]

3. AZ SRP - 6/20 kwh - 6/22 kwh

Real usage - in dollars -

6/20 - off peak - 4.06 - on peak 7.33

6/22 - off peak 4.68 - on peak 6.91

Estimate billing, month of June =$220.00

SRP reduced rates this year - by a small % - May and June are at rates lower than July & Aug - I just can't wait to see those bills...we have been here 22 years from Mass., yes, it gets hot..but I have to tell ya' - this is obnoxious......

Happy fourth everyone...stay cool!!!!!

[Raster]

6. I'm in East Mesa...

And that is very close to my bill for June. Yes, July and August should be...

[mackdaddy]

4. I hope the system can take the strain. Power outages could be deadly in that heat.

My step daughter lives in Las Vegas, and posted a photo of her car displaying 119 degrees F. Air conditioning is really the only thing that allows many people to survive this kind of heat.

If you don't drink water constantly, replace electrolytes and hope the humidity stays low the body cannot get rid of enough heat to regulate itself, and you core body temperature can go up to danger or deadly levels pretty quickly.

People with any kind of medical issues are even more susceptible.

I agree, this is a perfect use for solar. Its output peaks near the top heat of the day, and rooftop solar acts as a shade to keep the roof and attic cooler. I saw an article once that big box stores in the SW that put on roof top solar were saving nearly as much in lower air-conditioning costs as they were in electricity generated.